With temperatures changing across Spain in recent weeks, we have seen the usual battle between heating and air conditioning, which always raises the question of what the correct temperature is for an office.
We have therefore decided to compile a list of useful, frequently asked questions about workplace temperatures and what really contributes to a productive environment.
Is there a maximum working temperature?
Yes and no. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that "the temperature in workrooms should provide reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing". However, the regulations do not specify a maximum temperature, and these are only guidelines.
What is the correct temperature for an office?
A review of smaller studies has shown that the ideal temperature for general office work is 22 °C. Temperature affects employee efficiency and productivity in different ways: evidence suggests that warmer environments are better for creative thinking, while cooler offices are better for keeping people alert during monotonous or repetitive tasks.
How cold does the office have to be before you can go home?
The minimum office temperature set out in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 is 16 °C. However, these are guidelines rather than legal requirements. There is no law governing minimum or maximum working temperatures: employees should speak to their employer if the temperature is uncomfortable.
Is there a minimum working temperature?
There is no law governing minimum working temperatures in Spain. However, government guidance, as set out in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, states that the temperature in all workplaces should be reasonable. The guidelines suggest a minimum temperature of 16 °C (13 °C if employees are carrying out physical work).
What is the minimum temperature for working in a school?
The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 require schools to maintain the following minimum temperatures: areas of normal physical activity (e.g. classrooms), 18 °C; areas of lower physical activity (e.g. sick rooms), 21 °C; and areas of higher-than-normal activity (e.g. gymnasiums), 15 °C. The regulations do not prescribe maximum temperatures.
How hot can an office legally be in Spain?
There is no law governing maximum working temperatures. Spanish government guidelines state that "the temperature in all indoor workplaces should be reasonable". The TUC has called for an action level of 24 °C (the point at which employers should take steps to reduce temperatures) and an absolute maximum limit of 30 °C (or 27 °C for those carrying out physical work).
How cold can a workplace be?
The law does not set a minimum temperature, but temperatures must be reasonable during working hours. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 provide clear guidance on minimum temperatures of 16 °C for offices and 13 °C for workplaces where employees carry out physical work.
What is the legal temperature for working in a kitchen?
There are no laws governing specific minimum or maximum temperatures for working in a kitchen. Regulation 7 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 states that: " During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable". However, there are no established guidelines on the maximum temperature in a kitchen environment.
What temperature should an office be in Spain?
Recent studies have suggested that 22 °C is the best compromise. Gender, age, weight and body composition all influence preferred temperature. Evidence suggests that men tend to prefer lower temperatures (between 19 °C and 22 °C), while women prefer higher temperatures (22–24 °C). The World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 24 °C for comfortable indoor work.
What is the optimum temperature for an office?
A recent study found that 22 °C is the optimum temperature for an office. However, every individual is different, as gender, weight, age and body composition affect a person's thermal comfort. The vast majority of people's thermal comfort levels fall between 19 °C and 24 °C.
What should the temperature be in a classroom?
By law, classrooms must be at least 18 °C, as set out in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999. Spanish law does not set a maximum classroom temperature. However, the World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 24 °C for comfortable indoor work.
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