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Author
Phillips, T. D.
Title
Effect of Ceiling Insulation Upon Summer Comfort.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
Report
BMS 52, July 1, 1940, 12 p.
Keywords
ceilings | insulation | comfort | temperature rise | roofs
Abstract
This investigation deals with the effect of insulation in limiting the temperature rise of the rooms in the upper story of a building with a flat roof. For test purposes a structure was built on the roof on one of the buildings at the National Bureau of Standards. This structure has a "flat" (slightly sloping) roof, below which is a low attic separtated from the room below by a ceiling of plasterboard. Various types of insulation were installed just obove this ceiling to insulate it from the attic space. The temperature of the ceiling in the room below was measured, and the effect of the insulation in limiting the rise in the temperature of the ceiling was determined. The results show that a lath and plaster or equivalent ceiling exposed directly to the heat of the attic will be so hot on warm summer days as to add materially to the discomfort of persons in the room below. Even a moderate amount of insulation will make the room much more comfortable.