Course Sponsor

Big Ass Fans

800 Winchester Rd.
Lexington, KY 40505
Phone: (877) 244-3267
Fax: (859) 233-013

An AIA Continuing Education Program

john@bigassfans.com

Credit for this course is 1 AIA/CES LU/HSW/SD Hour

Air Movement for

Energy-Efficient
Summer Comfort

www.bigassfans.com

Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion quiz

online at GreenCE.com to receive credit

Richard Aynsley, Ph.D.

Director, Research & Development
Big Ass Fan Company,
Lexington KY

GreenCE, Inc. 2008

An American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Continuing Education Program
Approved Promotional Statement:

GreenCE, Inc. is a registered provider with The American Institute of

Architects Continuing Education System. Credit earned upon completion of
this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates
of Completion are available for all course participants upon completion of
the course conclusion quiz with +80%.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional

education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA or GreenCE, Inc. of
any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

An American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Continuing Education Program

Course Format: This is a structured, web-based course with a final exam.

Course Credit: 1 AIA Health Safety & Welfare (HSW), Sustainable Design
(SD) Learning Unit (LU)
Completion Certificate: A copy is sent to you by email or you can print one
upon successful completion of a course. If you have any difficulties printing
or receiving by email please send requests to certificate@greence.com
Design professionals, please remember to print or save your certificate of
completion after successfully completing a course conclusion quiz. Email
confirmations will be sent to the email address you have provided in your
GreenCE.com account.
Please note: you will need to complete the
conclusion quiz online at GreenCE.com to
receive credit

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the design
professional will be able to:
Discuss ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 dealing with
Thermal environmental conditions for human
occupancy.
Identify factors beyond ASHRAE that can enhance
comfort levels in Naturally conditioned spaces.
Describe how utilizing additional airflow systems such as
fans can result in energy and cost savings.
Define the effects of high temperature work
environments on performance/productivity and possible
resultant ailments.

Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004

Indoor Environmental Quality

Indoor environment is a
significant concern in todays
designing and building
because we spend most of
our time indoors. At home, at
the office, shopping, at the
gym, wherever90% of our
time is spent indoors.
From thermal comfort to air
quality, this really puts the
importance of indoor
environment and the role of
air movement into
perspective.

Indoor Environmental Quality

It is well-known that human health and occupant comfort
are largely affected by airflow and thermal comfort.
Measures taken to optimize airflow and thermal comfort
will not only positively affect occupants, but will also
result in savings and increased sustainability.
Concerning indoor environmental quality, US Green
Building Council (USGBC) Green Building and LEED
Core Concepts notes strategies that improve
employee health and productivity over the long run can
have a large return on investment.

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
The purpose of ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004 is to specify the
combinations of indoor thermal environmental factors and
personal factors that will produce thermal environmental
conditions acceptable to a majority of the occupants within
the space.

(ASHRAE Standard: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy)

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
This American National Standard (ANS) is a national
voluntary consensus standard developed under the auspices
of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and AirConditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Consensus is defined by
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), of which
ASHRAE is a member
ASHRAE mission: To advance the arts and sciences of
heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating to serve
humanity and promote a sustainable world.
(ashrae.org)

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
This standard has four main sections:
Provision 1 - Predictive Mean Vote (PMV) vs. Predictive Percentage
Dissatisfied (PPD)
Provision 2 - Adaptive Provision
Compliance
Evaluation

This standard requires six inputs to access thermal environmental

conditions for human occupancy.

Metabolic rate
Clothing insulation
Air temperature
Radiant temperature
Air speed
Humidity

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
Output of this standard is expressed in terms of:
Predicted Mean Vote -- PMV
and
Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied -- PPD
(Refer to graph on slide 10- Fig. 5.2.1.2 )

PPD as a Function of PMV

Figure 5.2.1.2

Code for a computer program that computes PPD and PMV

is provided in an appendix to the Standard.

Acceptable Thermal Environment

for General Comfort
Condition for thermal comfort for occupants are satisfied
if the PMV is between 0.5 and -0.5. This corresponds to
a PPD of 10%
+3 hot
+2 warm
+1 slightly warm
0 neutral
-1 slightly cool
-2 cool
-3 cold

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human
Occupancy
In the 2004 edition of the Standard, a new option is
provided. This Adaptive option applies to naturally
conditioned spaces.
Naturally conditioned spaces have no mechanical
cooling and rely solely on occupants adjusting their
clothing, varying their activity level, and opening or
closing windows and doors to allow air movement. They
can also employ fans when natural airflow is not
available.

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human
Occupancy
The graphical method for determining if indoor conditions
are within the comfort zone uses the figure below.

This applies to people wearing 0.5 to 1.0 clothing, at

activity levels from 1 to 1.3 met, with an acceptance level
of 80%.

ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool

A sophisticated computer program, the

ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool, is available
on a CD

Acceptable Range of Operative

Temperatures
To achieve 90% acceptance, seven additional local
thermal comfort factors must be satisfied:

Radiant temperature asymmetry

Draft
Vertical air temperature difference
Floor surface temperature
Temperature variation with time
Cyclic variations in operative temperature
Drifts or ramps

Predicted % Dissatisfied
Due to Draft (DR)
DR = ([93.2- ta] * [v-10]0.62) * (0.00004 * v * Tu + 0.66)
Where:
ta = local air temperature C
v = local mean air speed m/s
based on va, the mean velocity
Tu = local turbulence intensity (see next slide)

Turbulence Intensity (Tu)

Turbulence intensity is the ratio of the standard deviation
of velocity to the mean velocity for a given time history of
air velocity.
The turbulence intensity term in the draft equation is
related to air temperature as shown in Figure 5.2.4.2
(see slide 21).
Basically, allowable mean air speeds decrease with
increases in turbulence intensity. That is, more turbulent
airflow has an increased chilling effect.

Local Thermal Discomfort

Factors
Of local discomfort factors including wind, draft, rain, and
water , only draft is related directly to air movement.
This applies to cool conditions and is difficult to satisfy
when local air movement exceeds 40 feet per minute
(fpm).
Turbulence intensity is the ratio of the standard deviation
of velocity to the mean velocity for a given time history of
air velocity. The turbulence intensity term in the draft
equation is related to air temperature as shown in the
figure on the following slide. Basically, allowable mean
air speeds decrease with increases in turbulence
intensity. That is more turbulent airflow has an
increased chilling effect.

Allowable Mean Air Speed as a Function of

Air Temperature and Turbulence Intensity

Figure 5.2.4.2

Really BIG Fans

Six ft. to twenty-four ft.
diameter high volume/low
speed (HVLS) ceiling and
vertical fans can provide
significant energy savings
and improve occupant
comfort year round in large
commercial, industrial,
agricultural, and institutional
buildings, and can also
contribute toward LEED
certification.

Cooling effect

Air Movement

Air Movement in Air Conditioned

Environments

The air conditioned Navy Pier in Chicago has a large ceiling

fan to distribute air in winter and provide additional air
movement for cooling occupants in summer.

Air Movement in Air Conditioned

Environments
The cooling effect of air movement past the skin can be used to
offset cooling loads in air conditioned space. Figure 5.2.3 on the
following slide illustrates conservative offset effects for various air
speeds. The lines applicable for most summer conditions are tr ta
=0F, tr-ta=9F, and tr-ta=18F, where tr is the radiant temperature
and ta is air temperature.
Radiant heat gain to occupants becomes noticeable when face
temperatures of a space exceed air temperature by 7F. Figure
5.2.3 indicates the potential for raising thermostat settings that can
be offset by cooling effects of air speed..
For sedentary activity, the standard suggests a 160 fpm limit or a
maximum cooling effect of 5.4F; this will not dislodge loose
papers.
These cooling effects are conservative because people tend to
reduce their clothing insulation below 1 clo and expose more skin.
Increased cooling comes from their increased skin wetness which
increases evaporative cooling from airflow. For tr-ta=0F, the
cooling effect for an air speed of 160 fpm is 4.7F.

Air Speed Required to Offset

Increased Temperature Figure 5.2.3

Airflow to Offset Temperature

Increase
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 shows that increased
air speed up to 160 fpm in air conditioned space, where
Ta= Tr , can offset temperature increases of 4.7F.
This extends the upper limit of the ASHRAE summer
thermal comfort zone from 80F to 84.7F when relative
humidity is 65% .

Savings from Airflow to Offset

Temperature Increase
According to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, the
maximum thermostat increase is 5.4 F (tr-ta=5F or
18F) for an airflow of 160 fpm in spaces for sedentary
work.
According to Exeloncorp*, each degree of this 5F
thermostat offset saves 3% to 4% of cooling energy. This
gives a total saving of 16.2% to 21.6% of cooling energy.
*www.exeloncorp.com/comed/library/pdfs/ce_controlling_temeratures.pdf

Acceptable thermal conditions

Air Movement in Naturally

Conditioned Environments

Naturally Conditioned Spaces

Naturally conditioned environments, such as this restaurant

have ceiling fans and operable windows or doors to control
air movement for thermal comfort.

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
Optional Method for Determining
Acceptable Thermal Conditions
in Naturally Conditioned Spaces
(Adaptive Method)
For naturally conditioned spaces, ANSI/ASHRAE 552004 provides an optional method for determining the
acceptable range of indoor operative temperature
utilizing the monthly outdoor mean temperature. (refer to
graph on next slide)

Acceptable Operative Temperature

Ranges for Naturally Conditioned Spaces
Figure 5.3

ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004
That is as far as 55, Adaptive Method, goes in the 2004
version of the Standard
The values shown for acceptable indoor operative
temperature in Figure 5.3 can be calculated using an
equation for adaptive thermal neutrality provided in the
2001 ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals.

Adaptive Thermal Comfort

In naturally conditioned buildings, thermal neutrality for
operative comfort, toc, based on mean monthly outdoor
air temperature, tout, can be calculated using the
following equation:
toc = 66 + 0.255(tout - 32)F
(ASHRAE Fundamentals, 2001)

Operative Comfort Temperature

With a mean daily air temperature of 76.1F in Lexington
KY during July:
toc = 66 + 0.255(76.1- 32) = 77.2F
*From Chap. 8 ASHRAE Fundamentals 2001
The temperature for adaptive thermal neutrality in
Lexington in the hottest month, July, is 77.2F

Thermal Comfort Zone

There is significant individual variation in human thermal
response.
Other ASHRAE researchers show this variation in thermal
response can be accommodated by defining a thermal
comfort zone (CZ). This example is for Lexington, KY in July.
CZ80 satisfies 80% of population
To obtain the range of acceptable indoor operative
temperature, 6.2F is added to and subtracted from the
thermal neutrality temperature:
CZ80 = toc +/- 6.2F
CZ80 = 77.2 +/- 6.2 F
CZ80 = 71.0 F to 83.4 F

Non-sedentary occupancy: ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004 for air

movement up to 300 fpm

Beyond ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2004

Air Movement Cooling Sensation

So far we have only considered spaces with sedentary
occupants. What if we have spaces with non-sedentary
occupants? These are covered by ANSI/ASHRAE 552004 for air movement up to 300 fpm (see slide 25).
Air movement up to 1500 fpm has been shown to
provide cooling according to the Manual of Naval
Preventive Medicine as shown in the following graph.

Air Movement Cooling Sensation

Percent of Maximum
Cooling

Percent of Optimum Cooling Versus Air Velocity Over

Man
1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Manual of Naval Preventive

Medicine,
Chapter 3, Ventilation and
thermal stress ashore and
afloat, page 3-7, Naval
Medical Command,
Washington DC

Air Velocity over Man fpm

www.vnh.org/PreventiveMedicine/
PDF/P-5010-3.pdf

Air Movement Cooling Sensation

for Summer Comfort
No equations are provided for the cooling effect lines in
the following slide (Figure 5.2.3 in ANSI/ASHRAE 552004).
Points on the curves for tr-ta=0F and tr- ta=18F are
shown on this slide as yellow triangles and blue squares
respectively.

A curve fitted between these points by Aynsley (2005)

has the equation t=0.04(V- 40)-0.000025(V- 40)2
Where V is in fpm and t is in F

Air Movement Cooling Sensation

for Summer Comfort
Cooling Effects of Air Flow from Four Sources

Aynsley R. 2005
t =
0.04(V-40)-0.000025(V-40)^2

10
9

Cooling Effect F

8
7
6

Aynsley
ASH*

ASH**

4
3

ASH*
ASHRAE 55-2004 for
TR-TA=0

2
1
0
0

200

400
Air Velocity fpm

600

800

ASH**
ASHRAE 55-2004 for
TR-TA=18F

Example: Restoring Comfort

Let us apply the adaptive approach to increased air
movement for thermal comfort in Lexington KY in July.
When the operative indoor temperature in Lexington KY
on a July day reaches 88.4 F, what airflow is needed to
restore thermal comfort to the operative comfort
temperature toc 77.2 F for July ?

Example: Restoring Comfort

The difference between 88.4 and 77.2 is 11.2F, thus,
the cooling effect is needed.
Using the table on the following slide, determining the
cooling effect based on the equation t=0.04(V-40)0.000025(V-40)2, it can be seen that airflow of 400 fpm
is required.

Airflow
fpm

Cooling
Sensation
F

50

0.4

100

2.3

150

4.1

200

5.8

250

7.3

300

8.7

350

10.0

400

11.2

450

12.2

500

13.1

550

13.9

600

14.6

Table 1.
88.4 F-77.2 F = 11.2 F
From Table 1, this will
require airflow of around 400
fpm (4.4 mph) to give a
cooling sensation of 11.2 F.

Airflow in Gymnasiums

Savings from Airflow to

Offset in Gymnasiums
In spaces such as gymnasiums, air movement can be
effective in reducing cooling loads. In such areas where
disturbing loose papers is not an issue, airflow for
cooling can be up to 600 fpm using the Aynsley cooling
effect. (Table 1 in slide 43)
A 24 ft diameter ceiling fan operating at a speed of 42
rpm can provide a mean air speed of 350 fpm near floor
level (cooling effect 10.0F) to a radius of 40 ft.(5024ft2)

Savings from Airflow to

Offset in Gymnasiums
By increasing local air movement up to 450fpm, the
thermostat can be raised 10.0 degrees.
According to Exeloncorp*, each degree of this 10.0F
thermostat offset saves 3% to 4% of cooling energy. This
gives a total saving of 30% to 40% of cooling energy.
* www.exeloncorp.com/comed/library/pdfs/ce_controlling_temeratures.pdf

Human sensory perception

Peak Human Sensitivity

to Airflow Gusts

Peak Human Sensitivity

to Airflow Gusts
So far we have only considered the cooling effect of uniform
airflow. Generally human sensory perception responds more
to variation in stimulation rather than constant simulation.
Recently it has been shown, under hot-humid conditions, that
human thermal receptors beneath the skin happen to have a
peak sensitivity to wind gusts at a frequency of 0.47Hz.
By providing air movement around 0.47 Hz. frequency,
cooling can be increased by up to 40%.
Some Japanese auto makers build-in oscillating vanes on the
air supply in the dash. It is no accident that the frequency of
oscillation is about 0.5HZ.

Enhanced Cooling from

0.47Hz Air Gusts
Turbulent airflow with gust frequencies between 0.3 Hz
and 0.5 Hz is more effective at providing a cooling
sensation than uniform airflow.
Large, high-volume, low-speed, ceiling fans produce
gust frequencies in this frequency range.
Yizai Xia, Rongyi Zhao and Weiquan Xu (2000)

Equivalent Uniform Airspeeds

for 0.47Hz Gust Speeds
Actual Airspeed at a gust
Frequency of 0.47Hz
fpm

Equivalent Uniform Airspeed

fpm

19.7

47.2 (+140%)

29.5

59.1 (+100%)

43.3

70.9 (+64%)

57.1

88.6 (+55%)

78.7

118.1 (+50%)

Gust Energy of Airflow

from a Ceiling Fan
The relative distribution of gust energy in airflow can be
determined by recording a 30 minute long continuous
record of velocity and performing a Fast Fourier
Transform on the data. This transforms the data from
the time domain to the frequency domain.
The following slide shows the relative gust energy of
airflow from a large ceiling fan.
*Notice the concentration of energy at frequencies less
than 1 Hz.

20 dia. Fan Relative Spectral Density of

Airflow Energy 3 7 above Floor Level

Beyond the Comfort Zone

Beyond the Comfort Zone

Outside of thermal comfort, there are environmental
conditions in some non-air conditioned buildings that are
clearly beyond the comfort zone. Under these conditions
occupants suffer heat stress.
High heat stress can lead to heat stroke and possible death.
Individuals have varying ability to accommodate heat stress.
Effective Temperatures around 95F are often taken as the
danger zone for heat stroke.

Beyond the Comfort Zone

Environmental conditions around the new Effective
Temperature, ET* of 95F, result in heat gain from the air
to the body and can result in serious risk of heat stroke.
Conditions under which deaths of US Army personnel
occurred from 1942-1944 are shown as purple dots in
the next figure. (On the psychrometric chart, the purple
dots indicate US Army deaths attributed to heat stroke in
the period 1942-1944)

Risk of Heat Stroke

WBGT Heat Stress Index

Heat stress indexes such as the Wet Bulb Globe
Temperature (WBGT) index are used to assess hot
working environments.

Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer used to

measure the WBGT index.

WBGT Heat Stress Index

Beyond the thermal comfort zone, Heat Stress occurs.
In this region, there is a real potential for injury or death.
Heat stress indexes such as WBGT index are used by
regulating authorities to measure climatic conditions in
extremely hot working environments.

Ailments Due to
Heat Stress
Heat Stroke: can cause death; body temperature
regulation fails and body temperature rises e.g. 106 F
instead of around 97F.
Heat Exhaustion: headache, nausea, vertigo, weakness,
thirst and giddiness.
Heat Cramps: due to lack of water intake usually
associated with hard work in hot conditions.

OSHA Work Intensity

Work intensity increases internal body heat and
contributes significantly to heat stress.
Three typical work intensities referred to in OSHA
documents are:

Light work - equivalent to raking leaves

Moderate work - equivalent to cleaning floors
Heavy work - equivalent to digging holes

NIOSH Standard 1986

Where work must continue, OSHA has prescribed a
work/rest regime.
OSHA sets work/rest (% of each hour) limits for
continuous and intermittent work using WBGT
index (F ) on physical work under heat stress
conditions.
work%/rest%
Work
Cont.
75/25
50/5
25/75
Light
<86F <87F <89F
<90F
Moderate 80F
82F
85F
88F
Heavy
77F
78F
82F
86F

A Practical Limit to
Benefit of Airflow
Airflow can offset operative temperatures associated
with high heat stress conditions.
In Lexington KY in July, a practical limit for airflow
cooling would be around 14.6F from airflow 600 fpm.

A Practical Limit to
Benefit of Airflow
Airflow fpm

Cooling Sensation F

50

0.4

100

2.3

150

4.1

200

5.8

250

7.3

300

8.7

350

10.0

400

11.2

450

12.2

500

13.1

550

13.9

600

14.6

in Lexington KY
in July is 91.8F.
(91.8-77.2F = 14.6F)
From the Table, a
14.6F cooling effect
will require airflow
around 600 fpm.

For more information

on heat stress see:
OSHA Technical Manual
Section III: Chapter 4
on web at www.osha.gov

Productivity in Hot
Environments
Studies of heat stress on workers under high heat stress
conditions are rare due to the high risk of injury to
workers.
One study in a South African gold mine provided data on
the productivity benefits of airflow under high heat stress
conditions.
(Refer to Wyndham & Strydom, 1965)

Future Developments
Expect to see :
Revision of turbulence to accommodate peak sensitivity
to gust frequencies around 0.5Hz
Expansion of air speed provisions for summer in
air conditioned space
Moves toward integration of ET* into the adaptive
method
Computational option to current graphic only adaptive
method

Influence of Airflow on Work

Performance at High Wet Bulb
Temperatures
It is clear, from the next slide, that at the highest wet bulb
temperature of 96F, productivity increased 40% when
airflow was increased from 100fpm up to 800 fpm.

Wet bulb air temperature was used in this study

because it is a better measure of the environment when
most body heat is being lost through perspiration.

Influence of Airflow on Work

Performance at High Wet Bulb
Temperatures

Percentage Work Performance

Percentage Work Performance Versus Wet Bulb

Temperature and Airflow
120
100
80
800 fpm
60

400 fpm
100 fpm

40
20
0
75

80

85

90

95

Wet Bulb Temperature deg. F

100

References
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 Thermal Environmental
Conditions for Human Occupancy
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, 2001, Chapter 9,
Indoor Environmental Health, pp. 9.1 9.20
ASHRAE (1998) Field studies of thermal comfort and
adaptation, ASHRAE Technical Data Bulletin, Vol.14, No.1.
Atlanta: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and AirConditioning Engineers, Inc. pp.156.
Oelsen, B. (1985) Local thermal comfort, Denmark, Bruel&
Kjaer Technical Review, No.1, 44 pages.

References
OSHA Technical Manual, Section III: Chapter 4, on web at
www.osha.gov
Wyndham,C. and Strydom, N. (1965) The effect of
environmental heat on comfort, productivity and health of
workmen. South African Mechanical Engineer, May, 208-221.
Yizai Xia, Rongyi Zhao and Weiquan Xu (2000) Human
Thermal Sensation to Air Movement Frequency, Air
Distribution in Rooms Volume 1, Proceedings of the 7th
International Conference on Air Distribution in Rooms,
Reading, UK, 9-12 July 2000, pp. 41-46.

Course Summary
Now, the design professional should be able to:
Discuss ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 dealing with
Thermal environmental conditions for human
occupancy.
Identify factors beyond ASHRAE that can enhance
comfort levels in Naturally conditioned spaces.
Describe how utilizing additional airflow systems such as
fans can result in significant savings.
Define the effects of high temperature work
environments on performance/productivity and possible
resultant ailments.

AIA Course Evaluation

In order to maintain high-quality learning experiences, please access the
evaluation for this course by logging into CES Discovery and clicking on the
Course Evaluation link on the left side of the page.

Course Sponsor

Big Ass Fans

800 Winchester Rd.
Lexington, KY 40505
Phone: (877) 244-3267
Fax: (859) 233-013

An AIA Continuing Education Program

john@bigassfans.com

Credit for this course is 1 AIA/CES LU/HSW/SD Hour

Air Movement for

Energy-Efficient
Summer Comfort

www.bigassfans.com

Please note: you will need to complete the conclusion quiz

online at GreenCE.com to receive credit

Richard Aynsley, Ph.D.

Director, Research & Development
Big Ass Fan Company,
Lexington KY

GreenCE, Inc. 2008