In this research the thermal comfort and thermal comfort parameters for children in primary school classrooms has been investigated. Actual thermal sensation and clothing insulation of children (age 9-11) in non-air-conditioned classrooms in three different schools in the Netherlands have been obtained. Results are available for a total of 24 days, covering winter, spring and summer conditions (year 2010). Questionnaires have been applied to obtain the actual thermal sensation and clothing insulation in the morning and afternoon of regular school days. In this period physical parameters (temperature, relative humidity, etc.) were recorded as well in order to derive the PMV. The results show that children adapt clothing during the year from mean values around 0.9 clo in winter to 0.3 clo in summer, with the largest changes occurring in the mid-season. There is a small difference in clothing adaptation between male and female children, with the females showing more adaptation. Comparison of the actual mean vote with the calculated PMV, based on the measured data, indicates a clear difference. The conclusion is that the PMV model does not predict the thermal sensation of these children accurately; it underestimates the mean thermal sensation up to 1.5 scale point. When the actual thermal sensation votes are compared to comfort predictions based on adaptive temperature limits it shows that children prefer lower temperatures than predicted by these methods.

Nearly 50% of energy consumed in the developed world is consumed in buildings. Despite regulation intent, many new buildings are energy profligate. Thermal comfort standards are partly responsible for this increase in consumption. In this volume, Roaf ef a/, have described the evolution of current comfort standards and problems inherent In buildings they shape, and have discussed two new methods of regulating thermal comfort in buildings which recognize human adaptation and have potential for reduced energy demand. These new methods incorporate adaptation through a fixed heating and cooling threshold approach (similar to Japanese Cool-Biz) or through heating and cooling setpoints calculated based on outdoor conditions (using CEN standard equations). The impact on comfort and energy demand of these new approaches is investigated for a London office building. Variables such as future climate, future building upgrades, setback temperatures, internal gains and ventilation are also explored. Adoption of the new approaches gave a 50% reduction in heating and cooling energy for the simulated office. The new approach together with optimized setback temperatures, ventilation strategies and higher efficiency equipment gives predicted heating and cooling energy demand close to zero. Recommendations for future regulation, design and operation of buildings are proposed.

In this paper we describe the ABCD tool, an online tool in which schools can measure their perceived indoor environmental quality and energy consumption compared to a reference file for a 'reasonably good Dutch primary school'. Additionally, by giving some basic building characteristics the school obtains an overview of standard measures that could be used to improve their indoor environment.

Purpose - To provide input data to design and energy performance calculations of buildings and ventilation, heating, cooling and lighting systems. Design/methodology/approach - European directive for energy performance of buildings was approved in the beginning of 2003. The transition period is 3-6 years depending on the article. European Standardisation Organisation (CEN) has drafted several standards to help the member countries implementing the directive. One of these is the "Criteria for the indoor environment including thermal, indoor air quality (ventilation) light and noise." The standard has been developed based on existing international standards and guidelines for the indoor environment taken into account the latest results from published research. Findings - The standard specifies design values of indoor environment, values to be used in energy calculations, and methods how to verify the specified indoor environment in the buildings. The paper describes some of the principles used in standards, and gives examples presented in the standard. The standard covers all building types but the paper is focuses on the non-residential buildings, numeric examples are given only for offices. Research limitations/implications - The draft standard is under international review process during writing this paper, and subject to changes. The standard give default criteria for the indoor environmental parameters, which can be used if no national requirements are available. Originality/value - This paper describes the indoor environmental parameters, which are important for people's health, comfort and energy consumption of buildings. This will help users to select more uniform input data for energy calculations.

Building-related symptoms occur more often in office buildings with air conditioning and sealed windows. Avoiding construction of such buildings, therefore, seems advisable. Nevertheless, many new Dutch buildings are air conditioned and sealed. This study consists of the arguments that have been made for continuing to build air-conditioned and sealed buildings and a validity test of those arguments. Some arguments (e.g., outside noise, wind) rightly support the need for mechanical air supply in certain situations. But even then, operable windows with smart design have proved themselves to be applicable and effective. Some arguments in favor of air conditioning and sealed windows appeared to be invalid (e.g., preventing dry air). High heat loads seemed to be the most sound argument in favor of air conditioning. However, a calculation showed that, given the Dutch climate, high indoor temperatures can be avoided without cooling when certain design criteria concerning building characteristics are met. Despite common beliefs, it is quite possible to avoid sealed windows and air conditioning in Dutch office buildings. Note that several factors analyzed in this study are based on the climatic conditions of the Netherlands and may not be valid in other climates.