Latin America. In times of oscillating temperatures it is usual to work at high temperatures in indoor environments, including some with little ventilation. Not only does this decrease concentration and productivity, but it could trigger so-called heat stress.
To function normally, the human body needs to keep the temperature inside unchanged at around 37 C. Ambient temperatures, humidity and lack of air movement (for example, lack of wind or inadequate air circulation), can generate thermal stress.
By increasing its temperature above 38 oC, the physiological mechanisms of heat loss, such as sweating and peripheral vasodilation, are accelerated so that the body cools down. If the temperature is not lowered, the person may feel headaches, dizziness, irritability, confusion and even fainting.
A survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 101 countries and published in the WHO Health and Climate Change Survey Report points to heat stress as one of the most common climate risks to public health. Meanwhile, a study by the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change (FCCC) indicates that the labour productivity of low-skilled workers decreases from a threshold of 26.2 degrees Celsius. Already in 2019 a study conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that heat stress could reduce global productivity levels by an equivalent of 80 million full-time jobs by 2030. In other words, 2.2% of total working hours worldwide could be lost due to extreme heat by the end of the decade.
Heat stress can cause physical discomfort ranging from discomfort from heavy sweating, headache, fatigue, nausea or even heat stroke. Under these conditions, labor productivity can decrease, sickness absenteeism can increase, which translates into losses for any organization.
We have asked Daikin to help us define some of the factors that can raise the temperature in offices, and that must be considered when designing and acquiring an air conditioning system.
Environment: the geographical place where the office is located will determine the temperature, speed and humidity of the air. In the same way, the space or interior distribution of the facilities affects the temperature that will occur in them.
Solar radiation: in cities with very high temperatures the sun heats the outer surface of buildings, raising the thermal jump from the outside in. Much will also depend on the construction of the building or space, for example, if it is a building built with techniques where they use glass, during hot seasons solar radiation will pass through them generating a greenhouse effect.
Work equipment: electronic devices, computers, photocopiers, printers, modems and other accessories found in an office, generate significant thermal loads, so it is one more factor that influences the work environment.
Lighting: it is one of the most relevant heating factors, if offices require the use of a high amount of lighting it is very safe that the temperature will be higher.
Number of people: this factor is also related to the space of the workplace, if it is very small and there are many people the heat will increase considerably.
