ASHRAE Publishes 2013 Version of Thermal-Comfort Standard

Dec. 12, 2013
Standard 55-2013 incorporates 18 addenda to its 2010 predecessor.

ASHRAE recently announced the publication of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2013, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.

Standard 55-2013 incorporates 18 published addenda to its 2010 predecessor, including:

• The addition of an allowance for the cooling effect of air movement in naturally conditioned spaces.

• The addition of an alternate procedure for estimating occupant clothing insulation.

• New requirements for the measurement and evaluation of existing thermal environments.

• The requirement that air speed and air temperature be averaged.

• A clarified and streamlined Section 6, which contains documentation requirements, and Appendix J, which provides a sample compliance form.

The cost of Standard 55-2013 is $81 for ASHRAE members and $95 for non-members. Copies can be ordered by phone at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400, by fax at 678-539-2129, or online at www.ashrae.org/bookstore.

About the Author

Scott Arnold | Executive Editor

Described by a colleague as "a cyborg ... requir(ing) virtually no sleep, no time off, and bland nourishment that can be consumed while at his desk" who was sent "back from the future not to terminate anyone, but with the prime directive 'to edit dry technical copy' in order to save the world at a later date," Scott Arnold joined the editorial staff of HPAC Engineering in 1999. Prior to that, he worked as an editor for daily newspapers and a specialty-publications company. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Kent State University.