Environmental criteria for design 1-3

Table 1.1 Recommended comfort criteria for specific applications

Building/room type Winter dry resultant temperature Summer dry resultant temperature Suggested Filtration M a i n t a i n e d Noise rating
range for stated activity and range † for stated activity and air supply grade ‡ illuminance (NR)¶
clothing levels* clothing levels* rate (lux)§
. .
(L s – 1 person – 1
Temp. Activity Clothing Temp. Activity Clothing except where
(°C) (met) (clo) (°C) (met) (clo) stated otherwise)

Airport terminals:
— baggage reclaim 12–19 [1] 1.8 1.15 21–25 [1] 1.8 0.65 8 [2] F6–F7 200 45
— check–in areas [3] 18–20 1.4 1.15 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] F6–F7 5 0 0 [4] 45
— concourse (no seats) 12–19 [1] 1.8 1.15 21–25 1.8 0.65 8 [2] F6–F7 200 45
— customs area 18–20 1.4 1.15 21–23 [1] 1.4 0.65 8 [2] F6–F7 500 45
— departure lounge 19–21 1.3 1.15 22–24 1 .3 0.65 8 [2] F6–F7 200 40

Art galleries — see Museums and art galleries

Banks, building societies,

post offices:
— counters 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] F6–F7 500 35–40
— public areas 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] F5–F7 300 35–45

Bars/lounges 20–22 1.3 1.0 22–24 1.3 0.65 8[2] F5–F7 100–200 [5] 30–40

Bus/coach stations — see Railway/coach stations

Churches 19–21 1.3 1.15 22–24 1.3 0.65 8[2] G4–F6 100–200 25–30

Computer rooms [ 6 ] 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] F7–F9 300 35–45
[2] [7]
Conference/board rooms 22–23 1.1 1.0 23–25 1.1 0.65 8 F6–F7 300/500 25–30
[2]
Drawing offices 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 F7 750 35–45

Dwellings:
— bathrooms 26–27 1.2 0.25 26–27 1.2 0.25 15 L.s–1 G2–G4 100 [ 4 ] —
[8]
(extract)
— bedrooms 17–19 0.9 2.5 23–25 0.9 1.2 0.4–1 ACH G2–G4 100 [4] 25
to control
moisture [ 8 ]
— hall/stairs/landings 19–24
[1]
1.8 0.75 21–25 [1] 1.8 0.65 — — 100 —
— kitchen 17–19 1.6 1.0 21–23 1.6 0.65 60 L.s–1 G2–G4 300 40–45
(extract) [8]
— living rooms 22–23 1.1 1.0 23–25 1.1 0.65 0.4– ACH G2–G4 50–200 30
to control
moisture [ 8 ]
— toilets 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 >5 ACH G2–G4 100 [4] —

Educational buildings:
— lecture halls [9] 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] G4–G5 300 [10] 25–35
— seminar rooms 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] G4–G5 300 [ 1 0 ] 25–35
— teaching spaces [9] 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] G4–G5 300 [ 1 0 ] 25–35

Exhibition halls 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] G3–G4 300 40

Factories:
— heavy work 11–14 [11] 2.5 0.85 —[12] — — —[13] Depends — [14,15] 50–65
on use
— light work 16–19 1.8 0.85 — [12] — — —[13] Depends — [14,15] 45–55
on use
— sedentary work 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 —[13] Depends — [14,15] 45
on use
Fire/ambulance stations:
— recreation rooms 20–22 1.3 1.0 22–24 1.3 0.65 8[2] F5 300 35–40
— watchroom 22–23 1.1 1.0 24–26 1.1 0.65 8 [2] F5 200 35–40

Garages:
— parking — — — — — — 6 ACH — 100 55
(extract)
— servicing 16–19 1.8 0.85 — — — — G2–G3 300/500 45–50

General building areas:

— corridors 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] —[16] 100 40
— entrance halls/lobbies 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] —[16] 2 0 0 [4] 35–40
— kitchens (commercial) 15–18 1.8 1.0 18–21 1.8 0.65 —[17] G2–G4 500 40–45
— toilets 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 >5 A C H G4–G5 1 0 0 [4] 35–45
— waiting areas/rooms 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.44 0.65 8[2] —[16] 200 30–35

Hospitals and health care

buildings:
— bedheads/wards 22–24 0.9 1.4 23–5 0.9 1.2 8[2] F7–F9 —[18] 30
— circulation spaces 19–24 [1] 1.8 0.75 21–25 [ 1 ] 1.8 0.65 8 [2]
F7–F9 —[18] 35
(wards) [19]
1-4 Environmental design

Table 1.1 Recommended comfort criteria for specific applications — continued

Building/room type Winter dry resultant temperature Summer dry resultant temperature Suggested Filtration Maintained Noise rating
range for stated activity and range † for stated activity and air supply grade‡ illuminance (NR)¶
clothing levels* clothing levels* rate (lux)§
(L . s – 1 . person – 1
Temp. Activity Clothing Temp. Activity Clothing except where
(°C) (met) (clo) (°C) (met) (clo) stated otherwise)

Hospitals and health care

buildings: (contd.)
— consulting/treatment 22–24 1.4 0.55 23–25 1.4 0.45 8[2] F7–F9 —[18] 30
rooms
— nurses’ station [19] 19–22 1.4 0.9 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] F7–F9 —[18] 35
— operating theatres 17– 19 1.8 0.8 17–19 1.8 0.8 0.65–1.0 m3. s –1
F9 —[18] 30–35
Hotels:
— bathrooms 26–27 1.2 0.25 25–27 1.2 0.25 12[2] F5–F7 150 40
— bedrooms 19–21 1.0 1.0 21–23 1.0 1.2 8 [2] F5–F7 50/100 20–30

Ice rinks 12 — — — — — 3 ACH G3 200 [20] 40–50

Laundries:
— commercial 16–19 1.8 0.85 —[12] — — —[21] G3–G4 300/500 45
— launderettes 16–18 1.6 1.15 20–22 1.6 0.65 — [21] G2–G3 300 45–50

Law courts 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] F5–F7 300 25–30

Libraries:
— lending/reference 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] F5–F7 300 30–35
areas [22]
[2]
— reading rooms 22–23 1.1 1.0 24–25 1.1 0.65 8 F5–F7 300 [23] 30–35
— store rooms 15 — — — — — — F6–F8 200 —

Museums and art galleries:

— display[24] 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] F7–F8 200 [25] 30–35
— storage [24] 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8[2] F7–F8 50 [25] 30–35

Offices:
— executive 21–23 1.2 0.85 22–24 1.2 0.7 8 [2] F7 500 [7] 30
— general 21–23 1.2 0.85 22–24 1.2 0.7 8 [2] F6–F7 500 [7] 35
— open–plan 21–23 1.2 0.85 22–24 1.2 0.7 8 [2] F6–F7 500 [7] 35

Places of public assembly:

— auditoria [ 2 6 ] 22–23 [1] 1.0 1.0 24–25 1.1 0.65 8[2] F5–F7 100–150 [5] 20–30
— changing/dressing 23–24 1.4 0.5 23–25 1.4 0.4 8[2] F5–F7 100 35
rooms
— circulation spaces 13–20[1] 1.8 1.0 21–25 [1] 1.8 0.65 8 [2] G4–G5 100 40
— foyers [27] 13–20[1] 1.8 1.0 21–25 [1] 1.8 0.65 8 [2] F5–F7 200 40
— multi-purpose halls [ 2 8 ] — — — — — — 8 [2] G4–G5 300 —

Prison cells 19–21 1.0 1.7 21–23 1.0 1.2 8[2] F5 100[4] 25–30

Railway/coach stations:
— concourse (no seats) 12–19[1] 1.8 1.15 21–25 [1] 1.8 0.65 8 [2] G4–G5 200 45
— ticket office 18–20 1.4 1.15 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] G4–G5 500 40
— waiting room 21–22 1.1 1.15 24–25 1.1 0.65 8 [2] G4–G5 200 40

Restaurants/
dining rooms 22–24 1.1 0.9 24–25 1.1 0.65 8 [2] F5–F7 50–200 [5] 35–40

Retailing:
— shopping malls 19–24[1] 1.8 0.75 21–25 [1] 1.8 0.65 8[2] G4–G5 50–300 40–50
— small shops, 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] F5–F7 500/750 35–40
department stores [22]
— supermarkets[ 2 9 ] 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2] F5–F7 750/1000 40–45
[30]
Sports halls :
— changing rooms 22–24 1.4 0.55 24–25 1.4 0.35 6–10 ACH G3 100 [20] 35–45
— hall 13–16 3.0 0.4 14–16 3.0 0.35 8 [2]
G3–F5 300 [20] 40–50

Squash courts [30] 10–12 4.0 0.25 — — — 4 ACH G3 300 [20] 50

Swimming pools:
— changing rooms 23–24 1.4 0.5 24–25 1.4 0.35 10 ACH G3 100 [20] 35–45
— pool halls 23–26 1.6 <0.1 23–26 1.6 <0.1 0–15 L . s – 1 . m– 2
(of wet area) G3 300 [20] 40–50
[26] [31]
Television studios 19–21 1.4 1.0 21–23 1.4 0.65 8 [2]
F5–F7 — 25

Notes: Except where indicated , temperature ranges based on stated values of met and clo and a PMV of ±0.25. Upper temperature of stated range may be
[1]

increased and lower temperature decreased by approximately 1°C if PMV of ±0.5 (i.e. 90 PPD) is acceptable (see section 1.3.3.2. Calculation assumes
. –1
RH = 50% and vr = 0.15 m s . Insulation value of chair assumed to be 0.15 clo for all applications except dwellings, for which 0.3 has been assumed.
Environmental criteria for design 1-5

Footnotes to Table 1.1:

* See section 1.4.3. for additional data and variations due to different activities and levels of clothing.
† Higher temperatures may be acceptable if air conditioning not present, see section 1.3.
‡ See also Table 1.8, which gives requirements for specific pollutants
¶ See also Table 1.18
§ Illumination levels given thus: 200–500 indicate that the required level varies through the space depending on function and/or task. Illumination levels
given thus: 300/500, indicate that one or the other level is appropriate depending on exact function. Illumination levels in this table give only a general
indication of requirements. Reference must be made to the table of recommended illuminances in the Code for Interior Lighting(10) and CIBSE Lighting
Guides for design guidance on specific applications (see notes to individual entries).

[1] Based on PMV of ±0.5 [16] Filtration should be suitable for the areas to which these spaces are
[2] Assumes no smoking; for spaces where smoking is permitted see connected
Table 1.10 [17] See CIBSE Guide B2(17), Table B2.11
[3] Based on comfort requirements for check-in staff [18] Refer to Lighting Guide LG2: Hospitals and health care buildings(18)
[4] Local illumination may be required for specific tasks [19] Design for clothing and activity levels appropriate to nurses
[5] Dimming normally required [20] Refer to Lighting Guide LG4: Sports(19)
[6] Follow computer manufacturers’ recommendations if necessary, [21] As required for removal of heat and moisture
otherwise design for occupant comfort [22] Based on comfort requirements of staff
[7] Refer to Lighting Guides LG7: Lighting for offices(11) and LG3: [23] Study tables and carrels require 500 lux
Lighting for visual display screen use(12)
[24] Conditions required for preservation/conservation of exhibits may
[8] Refer to The Building Regulations: Part F1: Means of ventilation(13) override criteria for human comfort; abrupt changes in
[9] Podium may require special consideration to cater for higher temperature and humidity should be avoided.
activity level [25] Critical conservation levels may apply, refer to Lighting Guide
[10] Refer to Lighting Guide LG5: The visual environment in lecture, LG8: Lighting in museums and art galleries(20)
conference and teaching spaces(14) [26] Performers may have wider range of met and clo values than
[11] The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992(15) audience, along with higher radiant component, necessitating
require 13°C where there is severe physical effort special provision
[12] In the UK, air conditioning is not normally appropriate for this [27] Dependent on use
application. Cooling may be provided by local air jets. Some [28] Design for most critical requirement for each parameter
applications (e.g. steel mills, foundries) require special attention to
[29] Special provision required for check-out staff to provide conditions
reduce risk of heat stress
as for small shops
[13] As required for industrial process, if any, otherwise based on
[30] Audience may require special consideration depending on likely
occupants’ requirements
clothing levels
[14] Depends on difficulty of task
[31] Depends on production requirements
[15] Refer to Lighting Guide LG1: The industrial environment(16)

Table 1.2 Location of detailed guidance to environmental criteria

Parameter Application and conditions Section or table reference

Temperature Known application, normal conditions Table 1.1

Non-typical conditions Section 1.4.3

Humidity Relating to temperature Section 1.4.3.1

Relating to comfort Section 1.5
Relating to static electricity Sections 1.5.2 and 1.11.3

Outdoor air supply Known application, odour sources unknown Table 1.1 and section 1.7.2
Specific pollutants, exposure limits Section 1.6.2
Specific pollutants, known emission rates, Section 1.7.3
design exposure limits

Filter selection — Table 1.1 and section 1.6.5

Visual criteria — Table 1.1 and section 1.8

Noise — Table 1.1 and section 1.9

Vibration — Section 1.10

Electromagnetic fields — Section 1.11.1

Ionisation — Section 1.11.2

Static electricity — Section 1.1.1.3