Calibrating Thermal Comfort for Healthcare Spaces

Healthcare Owners: Call for Participation

We are kicking-off a healthcare-focused thermal comfort research project.

What: Building upon our previously conducted Thermal Bridging Research, PAYETTE is conducting an initiative that will explore thermal comfort in healthcare environments. We are seeking healthcare owners interested in gaining a better understanding of the thermal conditions in their facilities and how the performance of those spaces can be optimized. We will be selecting up to ten hospitals from across the US that represents a diverse group of healthcare institutions to participate in the study.

Involvement in the study requires little effort on your part. If selected, PAYETTE’s Building Scientists will conduct an on-site assessment of thermal conditions across a variety of spaces throughout your hospital. You will then receive a report with our findings allowing you to understand how your facility compares to the other participating institutions. In addition, you will receive recommendations on how to best enhance thermal comfort for your patients and staff.

Why: Thermal comfort in a healthcare environment is particularly challenging. The ideal comfort zone of patient rooms, doctors’ spaces, waiting areas and highly controlled environments do not overlap. This creates a perpetual challenge in the operation of your hospital to best meet the thermal comfort needs of all key occupants. Regardless of your geographic location or climate, finding the “sweet spot” is a challenge.

At PAYETTE we integrate research into our practice. Our in-house Building Science Group works alongside our design teams to test sustainable strategies early in the process. Building science is the data-driven investigation of building systems, materials, envelope and operational energy usage in order to optimize a building’s performance and minimize its environmental impact.

Bringing a scientific process to this effort inevitably leads to higher performing buildings that, by definition, embody sustainable design. Healthcare spaces bring a unique challenge because of needs of the varied constituents.

This research will be presented at the 2016 PDC Summit in San Diego. Participants will have the option to remain anonymous.

How: If you are interested in being considered, please complete the brief survey below by September 30th. Participants will be selected by mid-October.