Assessment of indoor heat stress variability in summer and during heat warnings: a case study using the UTCI in Berlin, Germany

Walikewitz, Nadine; Jänicke, Britta; Langner, Marcel; Endlicher, Wilfried

doi:10.1007/s00484-015-1066-y

Cited by 30 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…In summary, for buildings without air conditioning, which are the most common in Scandinavia, several studies have found a strong correlation between the outdoor and indoor temperature [10,11,12,13,14,15]. Furthermore, the humidity relationship between the indoor and outdoor conditions tends to be stronger than the temperature relationship [17,20,27].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Oudin Åström et al (2018) found that heat waves significantly increased both all-cause mortality and coronary heart disease mortality by approximately 10–15%, respectively, in the Swedish context [7]. There is especially a need for studies in developed countries, as studies about indoor environments show that the population in these countries spend most of their time—about 90%—indoors [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. The health outcomes of heat exposure depend on the climatic zones specific for given regions [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heat Stress in Indoor Environments of Scandinavian Urban Areas: A Literature Review

Kownacki

Gao

Kuklane

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Climate change increases the risks of heat stress, especially in urban areas where urban heat islands can develop. This literature review aims to describe how severe heat can occur and be identified in urban indoor environments, and what actions can be taken on the local scale. There is a connection between the outdoor and the indoor climate in buildings without air conditioning, but the pathways leading to the development of severe heat levels indoors are complex. These depend, for example, on the type of building, window placement, the residential area’s thermal outdoor conditions, and the residents’ influence and behavior. This review shows that only few studies have focused on the thermal environment indoors during heat waves, despite the fact that people commonly spend most of their time indoors and are likely to experience increased heat stress indoors in the future. Among reviewed studies, it was found that the indoor temperature can reach levels 50% higher in °C than the outdoor temperature, which highlights the importance of assessment and remediation of heat indoors. Further, most Heat-Health Warning Systems (HHWS) are based on the outdoor climate only, which can lead to a misleading interpretation of the health effects and associated solutions. In order to identify severe heat, six factors need to be taken into account, including air temperature, heat radiation, humidity, and air movement as well as the physical activity and the clothes worn by the individual. Heat stress can be identified using a heat index that includes these six factors. This paper presents some examples of practical and easy to use heat indices that are relevant for indoor environments as well as models that can be applied in indoor environments at the city level. However, existing indexes are developed for healthy workers and do not account for vulnerable groups, different uses, and daily variations. As a result, this paper highlights the need for the development of a heat index or the adjustment of current thresholds to apply specifically to indoor environments, its different uses, and vulnerable groups. There are several actions that can be taken to reduce heat indoors and thus improve the health and well-being of the population in urban areas. Examples of effective measures to reduce heat stress indoors include the use of shading devices such as blinds and vegetation as well as personal cooling techniques such as the use of fans and cooling vests. Additionally, the integration of innovative Phase Change Materials (PCM) into facades, roofs, floors, and windows can be a promising alternative once no negative health and environmental effects of PCM can be ensured.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat Stress in Indoor Environments of Scandinavian Urban Areas: A Literature Review

Kownacki

Gao

Kuklane

et al. 2019

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…On the other hand, Quansheng et al (2016), Matzarakis (2014), Matzarakis et al (2013), Zaninović and Matzarakis (2009), Lin and Matzarakis (2008) studied the climate from the point of view of tourism development prospects and Fr hlich and analysed the limitations and shortcomings of the three indices (PT, UTCI, PET) under the hot and windy meteorological conditions observed in Doha, Qatar. The research explored the role of street trees in Melbourne, Australia, in cooling the urban microclimate and improving human thermal comfort (HTC) were calculated using the UTCI index given by Coutts et al (2016) and Walikewitz et al (2015) which made an assessment of indoor heat stress variability in summer and during heat warnings in Berlin, Germany.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability of UTCI index in South Warsaw depending on atmospheric circulation

Rozbicka

Rozbicki

2017

Theor Appl Climatol

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The aim of the study is the assessment and analysis of the variability of human-bioclimatic conditions in southern part of Warsaw, depending on the atmospheric circulation in the long-term (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015). The Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI was applied to evaluate the human-bioclimatic conditions using meteorological data for the 12:00 UTC obtained from the WULS Ursynów weather station. In order to determine the relationship between the UTCI and its corresponding synoptic situation, the circulation type classification proposed by Lityński was used. It was found that the period from the second decade of April to the first decade of October is the most favourable one for recreation and relaxation. The situations not caused by thermal loads of humans are the most frequent and the values vary from 42.9% in October to 66.6% in August. Whereas weather conditions causing the 'strong' and 'very strong heat stresses' and the 'strong' and 'very strong cold stresses' were relatively rare. The analysis of influence of atmospheric circulation on bioclimatic conditions has shown that the most favourable conditions with no heat load (class 0) of the body occurred during cyclonic circulation in the summer (70%) mainly at advection from the North and South. Particular analysis of selected most strenuous days of the heat wave and the cold wave confirmed the occurrence of a high frequency of conditions stressing the human body with 'strong' and 'very strong heat' as well as 'strong cold' for most of the day during anticyclonic circulation in both cases.

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“…These measures seem unproblematic. However, it has also been suggested that ventilation systems not equipped with cooling could be switched off during the daytime to avoid drawing in hot air from outdoors [ 74 ]. This can be effective and justified as a short-term measure during extreme heat waves, but if commonly used it can create new adverse health effects [ 75 ].…”

Section: Themes Of Special Interest Discussed From the Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy Indoor Environments: The Need for a Holistic Approach

Wierzbicka

Pedersen

Persson

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Indoor environments have a large impact on health and well-being, so it is important to understand what makes them healthy and sustainable. There is substantial knowledge on individual factors and their effects, though understanding how factors interact and what role occupants play in these interactions (both causative and receptive) is lacking. We aimed to: (i) explore interactions between factors and potential risks if these are not considered from holistic perspective; and (ii) identify components needed to advance research on indoor environments. The paper is based on collaboration between researchers from disciplines covering technical, behavioural, and medical perspectives. Outcomes were identified through literature reviews, discussions and workshops with invited experts and representatives from various stakeholder groups. Four themes emerged and were discussed with an emphasis on occupant health: (a) the bio-psycho-social aspects of health; (b) interaction between occupants, buildings and indoor environment; (c) climate change and its impact on indoor environment quality, thermal comfort and health; and (d) energy efficiency measures and indoor environment. To advance the relevant research, the indoor environment must be considered a dynamic and complex system with multiple interactions. This calls for a transdisciplinary and holistic approach and effective collaboration with various stakeholders.

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Assessment of indoor heat stress variability in summer and during heat warnings: a case study using the UTCI in Berlin, Germany

Cited by 30 publications

References 37 publications

Heat Stress in Indoor Environments of Scandinavian Urban Areas: A Literature Review

Heat Stress in Indoor Environments of Scandinavian Urban Areas: A Literature Review

Variability of UTCI index in South Warsaw depending on atmospheric circulation

Healthy Indoor Environments: The Need for a Holistic Approach

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