ATLANTA – The role of international fashions in determining how cool or hot we are is being studied by ASHRAE. It’s not the impact of Gucci or Channel on our style but rather how non-western wear, such as burqas or saris, affects our thermal comfort.

Comprehensive data exists on western clothing insulation values but little research exists on non-western. Having information on attire like saris could influence the design of ventilation and air-conditioning systems to provide the best thermal comfort for occupants. 

“Given the growing energy needs of large nations such as India, China and Pakistan, all of which often have different clothing styles from western nations, knowing more about the impact of clothing on comfort is essential to improving ventilation and air-conditioning systems for these countries,” John Stoops, head of the project monitoring subcommittee for Technical Committee 2.1, Physiology & Human Environment, which is overseeing the project, said. “The project also will look at how different fabrics and body postures and movements impact the insulation value of cloth. We expect to find that the results of non-western wear on thermal comfort will be different than that of western wear due to looser fit, long gowns and lighter materials that promote movement of air.”

1504-TRP, “Extension of the Clothing Insulation Database for Standard 55 and ISO 7730 to Provide Data for Non-Western Clothing Ensembles, Including Data on the Effect of Posture and Air Movement on that Insulation,” is one of 17 projects currently out for bid by ASHRAE. The deadline to submit proposals for all projects is May 16.

Results of 1504 would be of fundamental importance to both ASHRAE and the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) standards, building and building system designers and vehicle designers around the world. Specifically, it could expand the scope and reach of ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, to a worldwide audience.

Other projects open for bid are:

• 1399-TRP, “Survey of Particle Production Rates from Process Activities in Pharmaceutical and Biological Cleanrooms,” responsible committee: TC 9.11, Clean Spaces

• 1410-TRP, “Effect of System Chemicals toward the Breakdown of Lubricants and Refrigerants,” TC 3.2, Refrigerant System Chemistry

• 1413-TRP, “Developing Standard Procedures for Filling Climatic Data-Gaps for Use in Building Performance Monitoring and Analysis,” TC 4.2, Climatic Information

• 1458-TRP, “Modeling Person-to-Person Contaminant Transport in a Mechanical Ventilation Space,” TC 4.10, Indoor Environmental Modeling

• 1495-TRP, “Effect of Lubricant on the Distribution of Water Between the Vapor and Liquid Phases of Refrigerants,” TC 3.3, Refrigerant Contaminant Control

• 1499-TRP, “The Effect of Humidity on the Reliability of ICT Equipment in Data Centers,” TC 9.9, Mission Critical Facilities, Technology Spaces and Electronic Equipment

• 1550-TRP, “Thermal Performance of Insulating Coating,” TC 1.8, Mechanical System Insulation

• 1557-TRP, “Lab Comparison of Relative Performance of Gas Phase Filtration Media at High and Low Challenge Concentrations,” TC 2.3, Gaseous Air Contaminants and Gas Contaminant Removal Equipment

• 1564-TRP, “Measurement of Oil Retention in the Microchannel Heat Exchanger,” TC 8.4, Air to Refrigerant Heat Transfer Equipment

• 1565-TRP, “Development of the ASHRAE Design Guide for Dedicated Outdoor-Air Systems,” TC 8.10, Mechanical Dehumidification Equipment and Heat Pipes

• 1581-TRP, “Develop Alternate Set-up Guidelines for Unitary Air Conditioner Test Configurations Which Cannot Adhere to ASHRAE Standards 37 and 116 Specified Duct Dimensions and External Pressure Tap Locations,” TC 8.11, Unitary and Room Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

• 1584-TRP, “Assessment of Alternative Approaches to Predicting the Burning Velocity of a Refrigerant,” TC 3.1, Refrigerants and Secondary Coolants

• 1592-TRP, “CHP Design Guide – Update to the Cogeneration Design Guide (1996),” TC 1.10, Cogeneration Systems

• 1603-TRP, “Role of HVAC Systems in the Transmission of Infectious Agents in Buildings and Intermodal Transportation,” TC 9.3, Transportation Air Conditioning

• 1604-TRP, “Demand Controlled Filtration for Clean Rooms,” TC 9.11, Clean Spaces

• 1606-TRP, “Laboratory Testing of Flat Oval Transitions to Determine Loss Coefficients,” TC 5.2, Duct Design

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.