A field study of thermal comfort for kindergarten children in Korea: An assessment of existing models and preferences of children

• Thermal sensations of children were measured in naturally ventilated kindergarten classrooms.
• Metabolism and clothing rates (major factors influencing children's thermal sensations) were measured.
• Thermal comfort of children was predicted and compared using existing thermal comfort models.

This study presents thermal comfort and relevant parameters for kindergarten children in naturally ventilated classrooms in Seoul, Korea. The dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, the airflow velocity, and the globe temperature were measured at 10 randomly selected kindergartens from April to June, 2013, and a survey was conducted three times a day for 119 kindergarten children (age: 4–6) to investigate their thermal comfort, clothing insulation, and metabolism. The effects of these variables on the thermal comfort differential between the model and children were examined to provide basic data for a new PMV model for children. The results were further evaluated through a prediction-based survey of adults (e.g., ISO 7730 and EN 15251). Children were more sensitive to changes in their metabolism than adults, and their preferred temperature was lower than that predicted by the PMV model and the EN 15251. The result of this study would enhance the understanding of thermal comfort of children (age: 4–6) and would contribute to future development of a new PMV model for children.