Abstract

SILVA, Hélder  and  CALADO, Eurico. Investigation on thermal comfort in lockers in a car parking in Lisbon. Med. segur. trab. [online]. 2011, vol.57, n.225, pp.272-293. ISSN 1989-7790.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0465-546X2011000400002.

At the present moment the definition of thermic comfort conditions is a developing theme in the international community, although this area of knowledge is incipient in Portugal. Nowadays, this topic is considered critical to the welfare, health and productivity of occupants of buildings. This study was based on the hypothesis that a model of thermic comfort could be applied to the job of clerk in a car park in Lisbon or if the model of subjective analysis would be more suitable for areas already occupied. On the other hand, we aimed to assess whether there are significant differences in the application of both models during summer and winter, as well as analyze possible correlations between a number a variables. Based on a bibliographic reviews, we created a questionnaire for subjective evaluation of thermic comfort and support for variables in the prediction model of comfort. We also developed an observation form to collect variable architectural characteristics and special technical facilities. The research was conducted during two field campaigns between 2009 and 2010. It was applied to fifty-three workers (whole sample) in eleven parks (the same in two different seasons: summer and winter). We made collections of environmental variables continuously, covering all the working shifts. The results validate the prediction model of comfort but with low correlation, especially in winter. We concluded the subjective rating scales provide reliable and comparable data on the subjective aspects of thermic comfort. After analyzing the data, we observed that there is acceptability and tolerance from the workers, regarding the thermic environment of their workplace. On the other hand, there are the ones who are unsatisfied by the prediction model of comfort which shows a thermic environment unsuitable to their activities. The results of the environmental variables were not within the legal values. This happened with temperature and humidity values such as the correlation between variables of operative temperature, radiant temperature and average outside temperature. The prediction model of comfort should be used with caution, particularly in the winter period, if applied with the conditions described in our study. We recommend using the subjective method to assess thermic comfort, as defined in ISO 10551 (2001)¹, in similar workplaces with few employees.

Keywords : thermic comfort; PMV; subjective evaluation; car parks.

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