Investigation of thermal comfort for patients and visitors in a hospital in Lanzhou, Northwest China

Proper thermal comfort plays a crucial role in supporting patient recovery. The thermal comfort needs of patients and visitors vary significantly based on environmental factors, yet current research in this area remains insufficient. We analysed thermal comfort in a large public hospital in Northwest China during the heating season using the PMV-PPD model and field measurements. Results indicate that PMV underestimates the thermal sensation of patients and visitors, especially in waiting areas, where overcrowding and noise increase occupants’ perceived thermal sensation. The neutral temperatures, estimated using the Griffiths method, were 21.8°C for waiting area patients, 20.9°C for visitors, 23.5°C for ward patients, and 22.2°C for ward visitors. Field measurements show that indoor temperatures in both thermal zones mostly exceeded neutral temperatures, indicating that uniform heating in cold-region hospitals is ineffective. Evaluation of two widely used adaptive thermal sensation models revealed that the ePMV model provided more accurate predictions. The adaptive factors (e) were determined as 1.28 for waiting area patients, 1.66 for visitors, 1.4 for ward patients, and 1.52 for ward visitors. Findings indicate that uniform heating is ineffective, highlighting the need for zoned heating strategies to improve patient and visitor comfort. Practical Application This study provides field evidence that uniform heating systems in cold climate hospitals do not meet the distinct thermal needs of patients and visitors. By quantifying comfort temperatures and proposing adaptive correction models, the findings support the design and implementation of zoned HVAC strategies, offering practical guidance for improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency in healthcare buildings across cold, dry regions.