Chamber studies—reductio ad absurdum?

✍ Scribed by Donald A. McIntyre

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 617 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0378-7788
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-7788(82)90003-2

✦ Synopsis

Research into thermal comfort and sensation has been largely conducted in climate chambers, since such laboratory experimentation allows independent control of the physical and personal variables. The work has provided a sound understanding of the quantitative relation between the variables and average thermal sensation of a group of people. However, this essentially reductionist approach disregards some important but illunderstood factors affecting comfort. This paper adduces field evidence to point out some discrepancies between laboratory predictions and actual comfort responses. Some of these discrepancies may be explained by a seasonal distortion of the rating scales in common use. Present emphasis on energy conservation demands an understanding of acceptable levels of discomfort, and it is shown how available methods of measuring discomfort and acceptability are inadequate.