Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 M.Arch of Energy and Architecture- School of Architecture- College of Fine Arts- University of Tehran
2 Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Road, Housing & Urban Development Research Center
Abstract
Due to insufficient healthcare space per capita and the necessity of constructing energy-efficient buildings with medical occupancy, this research aims to conduct a field study on the samples of medium-scale medical centers, such as day clinics or single-specialty hospitals in Tehran. As a result, the questionnaires are submitted to the personnel and staff of such centers to study the accurate model of occupancy in the space, their behavior, activities, comfort, and the pattern of controlling mechanical and electrical installations. Results have been the basis for a new performance model at such centers to estimate the energy consumption rate in these buildings more accurately; then, the resulting data is used in defining occupancy schedules, artificial lighting, cooling, heating, and ventilation by the application of energy simulation software. Although numerous sources of modeling inaccuracies and over-simplifications exist, special attention has been given to the sensitivity of energy simulation results to the variability in occupant behaviors. As the comparison between universal schedules of healthcare buildings and the modified schedule has shown, it provides the opportunity to decrease the significant discrepancy (under particular circumstances, more than 34%) between the predicted and actual energy usage in such buildings by improving the pattern of occupancy and increasing the accuracy of energy modeling simulations. Besides, the qualitative data related to thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort in different spaces of specialty ophthalmology clinics in Tehran have been extracted to demonstrate a realistic pattern of spatial needs for better design and planning.
Graphical Abstract
)
Keywords
- Medium-scale Medical Centers in Tehran
- Pattern of Occupancy and Occupant Behavior
- Actual Energy Performance of Buildings
- Improving the Reliability of Simulated Energy Performance
- Energy Efficiency
Main Subjects
)