Chandigarh: As heatwaves become longer, more frequent, and increasingly severe, the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) has released its latest position document on managing heat stress and enhancing thermal comfort. This document provides science-based guidance to help individuals, communities, institutions, and policymakers stay cool and safe during periods of extreme heat.
The report presents a detailed framework of practical suggestions aimed at mitigating heat-related risks while improving thermal comfort in homes, workplaces, public spaces, and buildings. Developed by ISHRAE’s technical groups specializing in healthcare, thermal comfort, passive cooling, evaporative cooling, and safety, the report outlines simple, actionable, and sustainable cooling measures that can be implemented immediately to protect public health and boost climate resilience.
Emphasizing the importance of adopting heat-resilient strategies, K. Raghavan, Society Chair of the ISHRAE Technical Committee, stated, "Heatwaves are no longer occasional summer occurrences; they are becoming a recurring challenge for our cities, buildings, and communities. Through this position document, ISHRAE aims to provide practical guidance that enables people to stay cool and safe during extreme heat. Simple measures—such as enhancing airflow with ceiling fans, adopting cool roofs, creating shaded outdoor areas, and ensuring proper hydration—can significantly reduce heat stress while improving comfort and energy efficiency." Among its key recommendations, the report encourages people to avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and operate air conditioners at 25°C or higher alongside ceiling fans. For institutions and building owners, the document advocates for measures such as cool roofs, tree planting, outdoor shaded areas, improved ventilation, reflective exterior surfaces, and dedicated cooling rooms to protect vulnerable populations during periods of extreme heat.