S 1.77 Air conditioning for humans

Initiation responsibility: Head of IT, Building Services Manager

Implementation responsibility: Building Services

In larger buildings, air supply must be ensured by air conditioning (A/C) systems. A/C systems ensure transport (ventilation) and conditioning (air conditioning) of the air. A/C systems should create a room climate comfortable for humans. Furthermore, a hygienically proper quality of the indoor air must be ensured. This means that the air conditioned by an A/C system must not impose any risk to or impairment of health, malodours must be avoided, and the thermal comfort must be ensured.

Good air quality can not be ensured by the A/C system exclusively. Also when selecting construction materials, floor coverings and furniture, it must be ensured that the materials used do not impose an additional and unnecessary load to the room air by harmful substances.

Planning of state-of-the-art ventilation and air conditioning systems for non-residential buildings is described in DIN EN 13779 "Ventilation for non-residential buildings - Performance requirements for ventilation and room-conditioning systems". Jointly with the workplaces ordinance they define the requirements on air quality that must be met in certain rooms of the building. DIN EN 13779 includes detailed definitions for

Whilst offices and other rooms that are occupied continuously are subject to high requirements for air quality, the requirements applicable to rooms not occupied continuously are lower. It is very important - as this is also required by the standard - that the specifications for planning of the air conditioning are defined by the building contractor and/or the future user.

Whilst coldness hardly ever represents a problem in connection with creation of a comfortable room climate, summer heat may become a bigger problem. The workplace ordinance requires work room temperatures that are beneficial for health as well as protection against excessive sun radiation. If a comfortable room climate is to be ensured during hot summer days, the A/C system must be supported by an efficient sun shading system of the windows.

A/C systems must be serviced regularly. With A/C systems, service work is not only performed for ensuring reliable function, but also for ensuring the hygiene and health of all users of the building. Compliance with the service intervals and accurate performance of cleaning and filter replacement must be checked and documented.

A/C systems must not be accessible for all persons, and must be physically protected against sabotage.

The A/C systems must also be considered in emergency planning (see module S 1.3 Emergency management), in particular for switch-off and restart planning.

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