Social Dimensions Heat Protection
The increasingly frequent periods of extreme summer heat are posing growing challenges for many employees in their workplaces. The University takes this issue seriously. In response, a Heat Protection Working Group, comprising representatives from the Sustainability and Climate Protection Management, Energy Management, and Occupational Health and Safety departments, is developing a long-term heat protection strategy for the University.
The strategy will incorporate technical, organisational, and personnel-related measures. One of the key challenges will be to strike a sustainable balance between employee well-being, cost efficiency, and climate protection in the face of limited financial resources and a changing climate. In addition, the working group has developed a set of immediate measures to provide practical guidance and support for employees during periods of high temperatures.
Technical Rules for Workplaces
The Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR), which apply to the University in its role as an employer, stipulate that when the indoor air temperature exceeds 26°C, the employer should implement measures such as night-time ventilation, effective use of solar shading, and the provision of fans. If the indoor temperature exceeds 30°C, the employer is required to take effective measures to improve working conditions for employees. If the indoor air temperature exceeds 35°C, the room is, under German occupational health and safety regulations, no longer considered suitable for use as a workplace, during the period of higher than 35°C temperatures, unless appropriate protective measures are implemented.
Immediate Measures- From 26°C/30°C
If the indoor temperature exceeds 26°C or 30°C, heat protection measures should be implemented:
Solar shading
Please check which external shading options are available in your building. Keep blinds or external shutters closed whenever the room is exposed to direct sunlight. If your blinds or other solar shading devices are defective, please arrange for a repair through the KTG (5111). If necessary, please involve the Sustainability Office by contacting at nachhaltigkeit@uni-heidelberg.de.
Ventilation and night-time cooling
Where possible, leave windows open overnight to allow the building to cool down naturally. Please ensure that security considerations, such as protection against theft, are taken into account. When outdoor temperatures exceed 30°C, we recommend keeping windows closed as much as possible during the day and using the building's mechanical ventilation system instead. If your workspace is not equipped with a mechanical ventilation system and you would like to explore the possibility of a retrofit, please contact the Sustainability Office at nachhaltigkeit@uni-heidelberg.de.
Reduce internal heat loads
Please try to use only essential electrical equipment and, where possible, charge batteries and operate heat-generating electrical devices during the morning hours only. This helps to minimise additional heat gains within the room and maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature.
Ventilators
Suitable ventilator can be purchased through the University's Procurement Office. The University has established a framework agreement for this purpose.
Drinking water dispenser
Providing a drinking water dispenser has proven to be an effective measure during periods of high temperatures. Employees should have access to chilled drinking water at all times, with both still and sparkling water available where possible. Framework agreements for the procurement of drinking water dispensers are available through the University.
What can I do when temperatures exceed 35°C?
If the indoor temperature exceeds 35°C, the room is no longer suitable for use as a workplace without additional protective measures.
Adjust working hours
By making use of the University's flexible working time arrangements, working hours can be shifted to the cooler morning or evening hours. If your institute would like to participate in the University's existing flexible working time scheme, please discuss this with your institute's management. Working from home may also be a suitable option, provided that employees have access to a cooler and appropriate workspace. Please discuss this with your supervisor.
Relocate workspaces to cooler areas
Where possible, office-based work could be relocated to air-conditioned seminar rooms, meeting rooms, or other cooler areas.
Use of portable air conditioning units
In exceptional cases, the use of a portable air conditioning unit may be necessary to maintain a room within the permissible temperature range. Wherever possible, only properly maintained and certified units should be used (CE-Kennzeichnung, DGUV V4-Prüfung).
In accordance with the regulations of the State of Baden-Württemberg, portable air conditioning units may only be approved in duly justified exceptional cases. We therefore recommend their use only where indoor temperatures regularly exceed 30°C.