Work Place Temperature Management
Thermometers
Should you wish to monitor the temperature in the workplace for a test period please contact the caretaker who can provide you an electronic thermometer that can also record maxiumum and minimum temperatures.
When it is cold
Minimum workplace temperature
The temperature in indoor workplaces is expected to be at least 16°C one hour after work has started unless the work involves severe physical effort, when 13°C is the minimum. The minimum temperatures do not apply to unoccupied rooms.
Guidance on use of additional heating
On some occasions, in some parts of the department, the heating in individual offices may not raise the office temperature to a comfortable level (typically 20°C or so). In such circumstance the department can provide electric oil filled radiators to address the situation. All such heaters are electrically tested annually.
Fan heaters should not be used. Whilst all fan heaters should have been removed if you still have one stored away in the department please return it to the caretaker.
Please remember to set the thermostat on any additional heater appropriately and to turn the heater off when you leave the office. Please also take care when positioning the heater and ensure it is not under a desk or in a confined space.
When it is hot
Maximum workplace temperature
Whereas there is clearly defined guidance on an acceptable minimum temperature the guidance for a maximum temperature is less specific. Instead the guidance implies during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall ensure reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing.
The feedback within the department over many years tends to indicate some people start to find it uncomfortable to work in an office where the temperature exceeds 30°C. For naturally ventilated new buildings (such as that the department is planning) one would expect the workplace temperature not to exceed 28°C for more than 1% of the annual working hours.
Guidance on use of additional cooling
Before resorting to fans or air conditioning consider opening the window. In most cases having an open window and office door will draw sufficient air through the office to keep the temperature at a workable level.
Fans
The department can provide free standing electrical fans if requested. To avoid wasting electricity please remember to turn off any fan before leaving the office.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is very expensive to run and can account for a significant proportion of the departmental electricity bill.
If your office has an air conditioning unit please use it wisely following the guidance below:
- Firstly consider opening the window rather than using the air conditioning.
- As well as opening windows consider closing blinds to provide more shade keeping the room cooler.
- Close any windows (and doors) before turning on the air conditioning so it is simply cooling the office it is installed to cool.
- Set the air conditioning target temperature to no lower than 25°C and only turn the air conditioning on if the room is hotter than this temperature. Note whilst 25°C may at first appear high it is still a very comfortable temperature for office work when appropriately dressed.
- Remember to turn off the air conditioning when you leave the room.
Working in a heatwave
Also see the University guidance on working in a heat wave.