Heating Standards Policy
1.
Introduction
This document sets out the standard the University requires academic and
administrative buildings to be heated to during normal hours of occupancy in the
heating season. Issues associated with overheating of buildings are addressed in the
University’s Sustainable Cooling Policy.
In setting the temperature ranges the desire is to provide conditions which meet
reasonable standards of thermal comfort and address the need to manage the
University’s CO2 footprint and expenditure on energy.
There is an increasing imperative on us all to mitigate the impact of climate change
by reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2).
CO2 is produced as consequence of the combustion of fossil fuels to heat and power
the University. Thus ensuring that areas are not over-heated will reduce our CO2
footprint and contribute to national and global CO2 reduction targets.
2.
Heating Standards
The University aims to heat spaces to the temperatures set out in Table 1 below
during normal hours of occupancy in the heating season.
Area
Rangeii
Target
Offices, lecture theatres, seminar rooms
18-21OC
20 OC
i
library, laboratories etc.
O
O
Corridors, entrance hall, circulation spaces,
17-19 C
18 C
locker rooms, workshops
Table 1 – Temperature Standards for academic and administrative buildings
i.
ii.
Unless other conditions are required for operational reasons.
O
“The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16 C unless
much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the
temperature should be at least 13OC. These temperatures may not,
however, ensure reasonable comfort,…”. Workplace (Health, Safety and
Welfare) Regulations 1992 Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L24
Page 10 paragraph 43. ISBN 0 7176 0413 6
These heating standards will apply between 0800 and 1700 Monday to Friday,
excluding bank holidays and University closed days, for the duration of the heating
season normally early October until late May. The Director of Estates, or nominated
representative may, using their judgment and view of weather conditions, extend or
shorten the heating season.
If heating is required outside of these hours this can be requested as follows:i.
Any bookings notified by the Timetabling and Room Booking system
operated by the Academic Office during the heating season will result in
heating times being set for the period requested.
ii.
For other requests or longer-term changes, for example when a department’s
operating hours are outside the standard working day, by email to
heating@contacts.bham.ac.uk stating the area and times of occupation.
If there are particular circumstances where for health reasons individuals may need
special consideration then mangers should refer to the Occupational Health service
for advice.
3.
Expectation on Users of the University
It is expected that occupants of buildings will take reasonable measures to adapt to
the environment by wearing suitable clothing and show due tolerance and
understanding, especially if they are in buildings that were not constructed to modern
standards.
It is also expected that individuals will:
i.
Accept that their view of an acceptable temperature may not be the same as
other users of the building.
ii
Report areas of over/under heating to the maintenance help desk
0121 41 46406.
iii.
Keep heat in the building by closing doors and windows as appropriate.
iv.
Ensure radiators and convectors are not blocked with furniture, clothing,
towels etc.
Electrical heating results in at least twice the CO2 emissions of gas heating. In
addition, the use of portable electrical heaters can result in the conventional heating
within the building shutting down. Thus the use of portable electrical heating should
be avoided.
4.
Expectations on Estates Office
To maintain levels of thermal comfort, the Estates Office will:
i.
Investigate complaints of over and under heating promptly and provide
suitable feedback.
ii.
In instances where the temperature limits stated in table 1 are met and
thermal discomfort is still perceived (e.g. due to drafts) the Estates Office will
examine the feasibility of making improvements to the area. However,
especially in older and listed buildings options may be limited and physical
limitations may prevent their adoption.
iii.
If temperature standards are being exceeded when the heating is operating,
the Estates Office will take reasonable measures to reduce temperatures.
5.
Expectation on those making requests
It is incumbent on those making request for extension to heating times to ensure that
when the reason for the extension no longer exists the Estates Office are informed via
email to heating@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
It is also expected that consideration will be given, by Heads of School, College
Facilities Managers or their nominees, how best to manage the use of buildings out of
hours to minimise the need for additional heating. For example closing some 24 hour
facilities, especially at times of low use and where similar facilities are near by, and
concentrating out of hours use in one building.
Notes
i.
The University has a wide range of building types with the oldest being
constructed well over a century ago. Consequently, there are a number of
buildings where there is limited control and thus practical difficulties in heating
all areas of a building to the specified standard, but all reasonable
endeavours will be used to meet the required temperature standards.
ii.
To minimise energy consumption the heating is controlled automatically in
most buildings such that:The temperature of radiators is adjusted with the external temperature,
thus on mild days radiators should be tepid.
-
-
-
The space should be at the target temperature at the start and end of
occupancy. This may result in the radiators becoming cool prior to the
end of occupancy provided the space temperature is maintained within
the range specified in Table 1.
On days that are expected to be pleasantly warm, heating may not be
switched on where it is judged that temperatures will rise quickly to the
target levels during the working day. This reduces heating consumption
and the risk of overheating the building later in the day.
For operational reasons individual heating systems may be brought in
to use prior to the start of the heating period. This principally where a
waste heat source is used, or the overall energy consumption is likely
to be reduced by such an approach.