Evaluation of thermal comfort in an historical Italian opera theatre by the calculation of the neutral comfort temperature

Theatres are a very complex environment where thermal comfort is difficult to control. They frequently operate at high occupancy level and tend to have high sensible and latent heat loads. An application of the neutral comfort temperature methodology is proposed to analyze this particular kind of building. Thermal-hygrometric parameters defined in ISO 7730, Ashrae Standard 55/2004 and ISO 10551, were measured at carefully selected locations in the occupied zone within the auditorium in the Fraschini theatre, in order to ensure a good representation of human exposure to thermal comfort. In addition, a subjective evaluation was achieved by the distribution of a dedicated multiple response questionnaire. More than 400 questionnaires were analyzed, comprehensive of information for the application of the traditional static and adaptive model. When heating system is on (1st and 2nd survey), thermal stratification is really relevant in the theatre (air temperature runs from 23 degrees C in the stalls area to 30 degrees C in the upper order), while when the theatre is in naturally ventilated, the thermal stratification is not relevant. An application of a new thermal comfort evaluation method is here proposed by means of the calculation of the neutral comfort temperature with both the analytical and adaptive methods. The methodology was also applied to data acquired in 9 different open space offices, where a total amount of 846 people were interviewed. Results showed that the method is applicable to both theatres. and open plan offices and could provide a simple tool to quickly evaluate thermal comfort conditions.