Internal comfort conditions
Allow for external views
- occupants of the building can have a view from the sky from desk height (0.7m) and are within 7m from a window (provisional workstation layout) (1 - credit HW2)
Provide adequate levels of lighting with regard to the task
- illuminance levels according to the Society of Light and Lighting Code for lighting for relevant types of tasks (9 - table 1.11, 11 - section 2.5)
Design to avoid uncomfortable draughts while allowing for cooling air movement in summer
- application of methods of calculating air speeds in CIBSE Guide A Section 1.3.1.2 (9 - section 1.3.1.2)
Design to avoid excessive noise levels particularly from building services but also from external sources
- vibration isolators where plant may cause vibration issues to withstand the static load of the machine as well as isolate it from the structure (9 - section 1.10 8.7.2)
- acoustic baffles integrated into ventilation openings (10 - section 02/01/03, 12)
Use appropriate type of lighting
- high frequency lamps to avoid the risk posed to individuals who are hypersensitive to visual instability (6 - section 5.4)
Design systems to achieve comfortable internal temperatures
- humidity levels are in the range of 40% to 70%, unless special conditions are required (8 - section 2.7, 9 - section 8.3)
- allowance for variations in temperature according to variations in external temperature, while accounting for the adaptive nature of people (9 - section 1.6, 3)
- temperature requirements adjusted depending on the use of the building, age and health status of occupants. Guidance on internal temperatures for various types of buildings as given in CIBSE Guide A Section 1 Tables 1.5 & 1.7 (9 - table 1.5 1.7)
Avoid glare in order to enhance visual satisfaction
- adjustable shading to windows, where reasonably practicable (5 - section 09/01/03, 4)
Reference Documents
| Series Number | Publisher | Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRE | BREEAM 2006 | |
| 2 | Carbon Trust | What will energy efficiency do for your workplace | |
| 3 | ASHRAE | Trans. 104 (1) 991–1004 (1998) | |
| 4 | BR364 | BRE | Solar shading of buildings |
| 5 | Guide F | CIBSE | Energy efficiency in buildings |
| 6 | TM40 | CIBSE | Health Risks in Buildings |
| 7 | BRE | The Office Toolkit - the guide for facilities and office managers for reducing costs and environmental impact | |
| 8 | KS06 | CIBSE | Comfort |
| 9 | Guide A | CIBSE | Environmental design |
| 10 | AM10 | CIBSE | Natural ventilation in non-domestic buildings |
| 11 | Society of Light and Lighting/CIBSE | Code for lighting | |
| 12 | BB93 | DFES | Acoustic design of schools - a design guide |