Thermal Comfort (IEQc 7.1) for Industrial Applications

I'm currently confronted with the same issue, and I have similar questions: In the spaces used for processing, the metabolic rate of the occupants as well as their clothing may fall out of the limits of both comfort calculation methods proposed in ASHRAE 55-2004. Does that mean that this credit cannot be applied for these type of spaces? Or is there any other comfort calculation method more appropriate (not based on sedentary office activity)? Or should I just exclude these spaces from the credit scope? Thanks all for your clarifications.

Ismaiel, it's not the space type but the activity that occurs within those spaces that determines whether this credit is applicable. If the clothing and metabolic rates of the occupants in each space fall within the ASHRAE Standard 55 models, then it applies. Valentin, based on what I've seen you probably will not be successful with this credit if you have activities/spaces falling outside of the ASHRAE 55 models. I believe projects are unable to exclude any occupied spaces from the credit scope even if they do not fall within the limits of either the PMV-PPD or adaptive models in ASHRAE 55. See some of the older posts on this thread, as well as the LEED Interpretations database. (I work mostly on LEED Canada projects, and the CaGBC does allow spaces to be excluded if they can be justified based on the limits of ASHRAE 55.)

Hi Ismaiel, No, ASHRAE 55 is intended only to model thermal comfort in a 'steady state' and is applicable when occupants are in the space for no less than 15 minutes.