Thermal Comfort Evaluation of HDB flats

For this study, empirical data on the thermal comfort parameters (i.e. room space temperature, velocity and relative humidity) was collected for the computation of the PMV and PPD thermal comfort index for the three flat types. The study shows that wind ventilation has a great effect on the interior comfort condition. This is evident from the diurnal variations of PMV values. Majority of the daily empirical indoor temperatures and humidity obtained inside the flat units do not comply with the comfort requirements defined in the ASHRAE Standards, yet the PMV scale variability of the interior condition stills falls within the comfort ranges of PMV +1.0 for large proportionate of the time. This is primarily due to the influence of the wind-induced ventilation, which helps to relieve the oppressive indoor condition. It is due to the effect of the air flow speed that the value of PMV decreases to the comfort ranges.