Abstract:
Abstract—This paper presents a methodology to assess the thermal environment in nonuniversity
classrooms, using the example of the results obtained from a multipurpose classroom
of a Portuguese secondary school during a week of November. According to the defined
protocol, both hygrothermal parameter values and thermal assessments were obtained and used
for the calculation of both static and adaptive thermal comfort indicators, including Matias’
Portuguese adaptive comfort indicator. Occupants perceived a neutral thermal environment
(Thermal Sensation Vote, TSV, of -0.03), while their thermal preference was a warmer
environment (Thermal Preference Vote, TPV, of +0.64). Female occupants tended to demand a
warmer environment during this study, despite their thermal perception was similar to male
occupants. Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) was lower than TSV in 0.35 points, so it
underestimates occupants’ real thermal perception. When occupants’ acceptance vote are
compared with Adaptive indicators, Matias’ obtains similar acceptance values (80 %) than the
occupants’ assessments (85 %), while ASHRAE indicator shows lower values (27 %). In
conclusion, the exposed methodology allows to characterise the thermal comfort level of Iberian
non-university classrooms, so further investigation is required.