Using the Indoor Humidity Risk Graph for a
Prompt Analysis of the Office Climate

If office workers complain about inadequate temperatures or air humidity, or if respiratory diseases are occurring frequently, the following procedure offers a quick and simple possibility for an initial objective analysis and assessment of the indoor climate. It is based on the “climate risk graph” recommended by deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung [German Social Accident Insurance] (DGUV) in notification 215-510 on assessing the indoor climate. However, since this DGUV risk graph only applies to complaints about high indoor temperatures and high indoor humidity, Condair has developed a “indoor humidity Risk Graph” for a dry indoor climate.

How should this risk graph be used and what results does it provide?

Step 1:
In offices where there are complaints about a dry, uncomfortable indoor climate, the indoor temperatures and air humidities are measured.

Step 2:
The measured values are entered in the humidity risk graph: the temperature on the x-axis, the relative humidity along the oblique indoor humidity lines.

Step 3:
The application of the humidity risk graph is shown in the two examples opposite.


Example 1: Action required
This applies, for example, to an indoor temperature of 22°C and indoor humidity of 30%. These values result in the intersection point A in the diagram. A horizontal line is drawn from this point to the left edge of the graph (y-axis) to point B. Point B is then connected to the indoor humidity scale on the far left of the diagram, to the measured indoor humidity value (30% in the example). The resulting red line runs through the red area of the risk graph.

This area signals insufficient indoor humidity and consequential health hazards. If the result line crosses the red area of the risk graph, increasing the relative indoor humidity is recommended from a medical viewpoint.