Exploring Workspace Thermal Ergonomics and Underfloor Air Distribution Systems (UFAD)

Jun 17, 2025
6 min read

Updated: Feb 25

Figure 1: UFAD flexibility when setting out reconfigured layout in a control room

Underfloor Air Distribution Technology (UFAD) has been around for many years and has some clear advantages for users, over traditional ceiling fed systems. UFAD is often overlooked due to project team unfamiliarity although now the current trend in building design is focused on sustainability and wellbeing, choice perception could improve. John Hargreaves, senior ergonomist from HAM will discuss key thermal ergonomics principles from a user centred design perspective.

Thermal comfort is often the most challenging aspect of workspace environments, with a complex set of parameters to consider in support of the human bodies thermal balance. The British Standard for thermal ergonomics (7730) defines measurement techniques for indoor environments using various thermal comfort models. HAM have developed an ergonomics survey tool HUSI™, that defines a quantitative measure of reported user satisfaction. This approach is easy to deploy and yields a rich data set to understand the impact workspace environments as a starting point for improvement projects.

Ergonomics is the science of work and ergonomics design applies human factors to deliver a better fit between people process and technology. HAM have encountered a variety of mechanical air handling systems and collected comments from staff about the impact on comfort and performance. Key complaints are often about drafts or temperature fluctuations. There can be dry or stale pockets of air, dirt and dust perception and perceived lack of control, problems often hidden with busy work routines.

The aim of this ergonomics briefing is to discuss the benefits of UFAD, refocusing the engineering of air handling systems onto a balanced human-machine perspective. We critically highlight the importance of delivering better workspace systems, with reference to the UFAD design guide, research papers and experience of running staff face to face interviews.

1.0 A brief background to the ergonomics of the thermal environment.

1) The full title of BS 7730 'Ergonomics of the thermal environment, analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort using calculation of Predictive Mean Vote (PMV) and Percentage of Dissatisfaction (PPD) indices and local thermal comfort criteria', suggests complexity. It states that 'human thermal sensation' is mainly related to the 'thermal balance of the whole body', influenced by 'physical activity and clothing' as well as 'environmental parameters', 'air and radiant temperatures', 'velocity and humidity' [BS 7730].

2) These variables directly affect core physiological processes such as heat exchange and body temperature regulation, key to maintaining a thermal balance. Despite these complexities, individual control over the immediate environment can also play a significant role in determining thermal comfort with;

"Research evidence suggesting occupant satisfaction and productivity can be increased by giving individuals greater control over their local environment” [Bauman, 2003].

3) PMV and PPD provide effective engineering-based thermal comfort models to measure and predict user dissatisfaction. One potential short coming of this approach is the bypassing user opinion. A key objective for any project with planned upgrade to existing facilities must be to understand user opinon first to target improvements on their dissatisfaction.

Figure 2: Workspace satisfaction ratings before and after an ergonomics design project.

1.1 Targeting positive satisfaction

1) Running user centred design projects provides feedback on workspace features and is an excellent way to understand the impact on comfort and performance. The bar chart above is taken from a HAM project survey, with blue being the baseline and orange after refurbishment changes. You can clearly see that the thermal environment has one of the lowest satisfaction ratings, as users are often most sensitive to air movement and temperature.

2) Although the models mentioned earlier can be used to check whether a given thermal environment complies with comfort criteria, staff surveys provide an actual measure of success. It is impossible to specify a thermal environment that will satisfy everybody and there will always be a percentage of dissatisfied occupants' [BS 7730]. It is however possible to 'satisfy a percentage' [BS 7730] and based on HAM experience a target of 80% is realistic, largely inline with the ASHRAE standard [55-2020].

3) Using PMV, PPD and User surveys will provide the best overall understanding of thermal comfort, although users surveys alone can be a very effective brief. Taking this approach can enable an optimum solution within project constraints and to understand why this matters, we need to look at the impact on staff wellbeing, comfort and performance.

Figure 3: John Hargreaves running workspace surveys with staff.

1.2 Impact on staff wellbeing, comfort and performance

1) An inappropriate thermal environment may contribute to the overall stress of an employee. Stressed people fatigue more quickly and are less likely to tolerate minor annoyances in the work environment or interactions with colleagues. Therefore, environmental features such as air quality, may suddenly become intolerable when an individual is under a high stress load [Murphy 2001]. Being too hot or cold can distract staff from their tasks by reducing manual dexterity and impairing concentration, causing a reduction in task performance. Studies have shown that manual dexterity is worse under cold conditions, mental performance decreases with heat and in general, performance is optimum when occupants are thermally comfortable.

2) Providing individual control may be necessary to produce the feeling of optimum conditions for comfort. Several studies have shown that the less the perceived control, the more occupants will say their productivity is reduced. Wyon also showed that control over temperature yields the best productivity gains; control over ventilation is next in importance, then control over lighting (See Figure 3 below) [Wyon 1996].

Figure 4: Study showing perceived productivity gains in relation to key environmental conditions.

4) A lack of control over the thermal environment particularly temperature, can act as a significant additional stressor in the workplace. When individuals feel unable to regulate their comfort, they may adopt a range of coping strategies. These can include taking more frequent breaks, adjusting their clothing layers, relocating within the room, using personal heating or cooling devices, reducing physical or cognitive effort, or withdrawing socially. If these efforts fail to alleviate the discomfort, prolonged exposure can contribute to increased stress levels, decreased productivity, and in some cases, longer-term health consequences such as fatigue, headaches, or musculoskeletal strain [Murphy 2001] Providing some user control over air handling systems within defined parameters is critical to success. We will now look at how UFAD technology can support this in the next section.

2.0 Underfloor Air Distribution Systems UFAD

Figure 5: UFAD systems can be more energy efficient and support productivity.

1) The benefits of using UFAD systems are well documented and grounded in user comfort and performance [Bauman, 2003]. A key feature is the delivery of conditioned air directly into the occupied zone, rather than mixing it from the ceiling down with a naturally superior floor-to-ceiling airflow pattern. The approach can also take up less space and be more energy efficient than traditional ceiling fed systems. The diagram above, represents a more balanced human-machine summary of UFAD technology, relating energy savings to comfort, performance and productivity.

2) With an overall objective of 'engineering an efficient and effective system to deliver conditioned air into a workspace', the real impact on people is usually overlooked and is arguably the larger cost, much harder to quantify and sitting in another budget' The users are often accused of 'always complaining' or 'not knowing what they really want', although the likely cause of this is an unbalanced thermal system with lack of user control. With sustainability and wellbeing becoming fundamental concepts, reconsidering the approach to air handling is important, especially with critical rooms that have a high heat load and cannot be supported by passive cooling.

3.0 Conclusions

1) Thermal comfort of users is an important issue when designing or improving workspaces. A standard engineering approach is unlikely to yield appropriate satisfaction ratings of 80%. It is critical that project teams embarking on new or refurbished workspace projects, take a socio-technical system view when designing air handling systems. Project teams should consider using workspace ergonomics, and satisfaction surveys to help deliver fit for purpose solutions.

2) UFAD systems have the potential to reduce cost not only from a building services perspective but also in relation to staff productivity. These systems are more able to provide conditions that users will find thermally satisfying. If project teams are considering a significant refurbishment or new build project, it is worth considering the selection of UFAD technology or at least making targeted improvements to existing systems based on the ergonomics of thermal comfort. If existing systems are left alone with unbalanced thermal conditions, this will simply add an extra layer of stress or distraction, affecting staff wellbeing, comfort and performance.

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