Thermal Comfort Assessment of a Flood – Affected Building Microclimate

EKONOMIA I ŚRODOWISKO • 3 (66) • 2018 Marta WIŚNIEWSKA THERMAL COMFORT ASSESSMENT OF A FLOOD – AFFECTED BUILDING MICROCLIMATE Marta Wiśniewska, MSc. – Warsaw University of Technology Correspondence address: Faculty of Building Services Hydro and Environmental Engineering Nowowiejska street 20, Warsaw, 00-653, Poland e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT: In 2010, Plock Country, which is located in Poland, was affected by two flood waves that covered approx. 7 hectares of land located in two communes. This paper presents one of the single-family homes affected by the flooding. The aim of the work is to evaluate the building’s microclimate, in terms of its thermal comfort, on the basis of a conducted survey. The studies involved measurements of the basic microclimate parameters, including temperature, relative air humidity and temperature on the internal surface of the partition walls. On the basis of the survey results, analyses were made of the variability of the microclimate parameters as well as of the dependencies between these parameters inside the building. KEY WORDS: flood, microclimate, thermal comfort No. 3(66) 2018 • pages: 127-141 JEL: Q54 128 Studies and materials EKONOMIA I ŚRODOWISKO 3 (66) • 2018 Introduction the swelling of river waters in reservoirs. The subsequent occurrence of the A flood is a temporal hydrological phenomenon which can be occur by water bank overflow leads to flooding of coastal or depressed areas and river valleys (Hu et al., 2018). In May and June 2010, Płock County (Masovian Voivodship) was affected describesby two flood results waves of acaused survey by conducted the swelling inside of thethe buildingVistula River. aimed This at assess paper- ingpresents its microclimate one of the single-familyin terms of thermal homes affectedcomfort. byThe both survey floodings. included It also the • air temperature, •measurement relative humidity, of basic microclimate parameters: • temperature on the inside surface of the partition walls. prevailing in the rooms. This paper also presents the optimal conditions for eachFurthermore, room to ensure this thermal study identified comfort and the the factors reduced affecting occurrence the microclimate of negative impact on the well-being and health of the inhabitants (Małkowska, 2012). An overview of literature The microclimate is understood as a number of meteorological factors that determine directly the living conditions of an organism or a group of organisms. The main parameters that determine the prevailing microclimate • air temperature, •are therelative following: humidity, • air movement, • surface temperature of the partition walls. - Each of these factors has a significant impact on the well-being, physical and Onemental of the efficiency, main issues work involvedefficiency in and building the overall design health is thermal of the comfort.inhabit Thermalants (Żenczykowski, comfort involves 1987). the attainment of optimal temperature of the indoor air as well as of the partition walls that form the rooms. The factors describing the microclimate are, at the same time, the thermal properties of the room; it should be noted, however, that they are independent to the parameters of the human body and, depending on the values of the factors such as temperature, relative humidity, air movement and temperature of the EKONOMIA I ŚRODOWISKO 3 (66) • 2018 Studies and materials 129 - over, we also distinguish personal factors related to thermal comfort which includesurrounding the level walls, of canindividual take up activity various and amounts the thermal of internal insulation body heat.of clothing. More The perception of thermal comfort of the environment depends on the extent to which the apparent temperature differs from the comfort temperature associated with the type of job performed and clothing worn by given individuals. The absence of thermal comfort for extended periods of time may underlie functional dysfunction of internal body organs which, in turn, lead to serious threats to life. The habitation zone that it creates is the result of its thermal properties and the devicesThe key contained factor that therein contributes which to are thermal used for comfort heating, is i.e.building heating, structure. ventilation and air-conditioning devices. In order to achieve the required thermal comfort in a building or room, it is essential to take into account both its thermal and physical properties (Andjulovic, Georgescu, 1971; Fanger, 1974; biggestKrygier challengeet al., 1991; from Małkowska, the point 2012; of view Żenczykowski, of thermal comfort 1987). maintenance is the Polandwinter period.belongs Not to theonly temperate is this due climate to the necessityzone. In this of protecting climate zone, against the atmospheric factors, but primarily of maintaining the appropriate and con- stant temperature within the building. - - peratureIn the variation climate zones which in goes which beyond the temperature the limits required of outdoor to ensure air varies thermal sig comfort.nificantly For during this reason,the year, during such dramaticwinter heating changes devices affect are the used indoor to maintain air tem the indoor air temperature within the limits necessary to achieve thermal summer, an increased heat transfer is achieved by means of natural (room ventilation)comfort. This, or on mechanical the other hand,(fan) isventilation. not the case The during occurrence the summer of the period. so-called In comfortable conditions inside the building requires, apart from maintaining a given air temperature, balancing the temperature vertically and horizon- The optimal temperature for people in the habitation area provides the tally (Anjulovici, Georgescu, 1971; Małkowska, 2012). higherheat balance than atof headthe body level, without but the any difference effort on itsshould part. not In order exceed to ensure°C. This the is associatedwell-being ofwith inhabitants, physiological the air thermal temperature regulation at floor of levelhumans should which be slightlycan be disrupted due to a stronger temperature variation (Andjulovici, Georgescu, The required internal temperature values depend on the level of physical activity1971; Krajewska, of given 2005;individuals. Małkowska, For example, 2012; Rokiel the air et al.,temperature 2011). in rooms 130 Studies and materials EKONOMIA I ŚRODOWISKO 3 (66) • 2018 2012).intended for intellectual work or recreation should be 20-22°C in winter and 23-26°C in summer (Krajewska, 2005; Krygier et al., 1991; Małkowska, In the design calculations for residential buildings, the average value of relative air humidity for the entire heating period is 55%. The actual relative Changeshumidity inis relativedifferent humidity from this within adopted these value, limits as itcan ranges reduce from the 30 preferred to 70%. However, its effect on the thermal sensation of inhabitants is insignificant. temperature only by 1°C, which proves to be difficult to detect by the human bodyThe in temperaturesrelative humidity below of the23°C indoor (Janowski, air depends Szulc, 1979;primarily Małkowska, on the param 2012;- etersRokiel of et the al., 2011;outdoor Śliwowski, air as well 2008). as the amount of water vapour inside any - acteristic of residential buildings. As a result of breathing, evaporation from thegiven body room. surface Emission and simple of water day-to-day vapour from activities the people (e.g. washing, living inside cleaning) is a char the on human well-being only when it is connected with the need to evaporate inhabitants become sources of humidity. Humidity begins to have an impact water from the skin surface (Małkowska, 2012; Rokiel et al., 2011;- ersŻenczykowski, of the partition 1987). walls. This phenomenon of condensation is determined by theWater humidity vapour of in indoorthe air mayair and condense the thermal on the innerinsulation surfaces of the or innerpartition lay Mould is a result of condensation of water vapour on the surfaces of walls.(Małkowska, Generally, 2012; it appears Żenczykowski, in the corners 1987). of the inner surface of the walls in rooms located in the building corners. It has a negative impact on human 2012).health thusA method deteriorating of preventing the indoor the formation thermal ofcomfort. humidity, In oraddition, at least it of also its reduction,makes the wallsis room look airing. unaesthetic Airing (Andjulovici, is based on Georgescu,the phenomenon 1971; Małkowska, of thermal exchange which is caused by a periodical opening and closing of windows or other openings in the wall partitions (Krygier et al., 1991; Małkowska, 2012). low,The even speed slight of air the movements air movement experienced inside a by closed a person room are largely unpleasant. influences Sim- ilarly,the well-being when the of room the temperatureinhabitants. In is high,the case the whenair movements the room felttemperature on the body is are perceived as unpleasant. Nowadays, the greatest challenge in the design of ventilation and air-conditioning devices is the adoption of the right balance of temperature and air EKONOMIA I ŚRODOWISKO 3 (66) • 2018 Studies and materials 131 - iel et al., 2011). speedConsidering in order not the to partition cause the walls sensation in terms of draught of their inthermal the inhabitants properties, (Rok the - greatest influence on the thermal comfort in the room is attributed to the thatfloor. can This be is adjusted due to the using fact the that heating inhabitants or air-conditioning have a direct and appliances,

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