4539 -- Thermal Comfort for Sedentary and Moderate Activity Levels PDF

The purpose of this research is to investigate human comfort criteria under steady-state conditions as a function of relative humidity level, dry-bulb temperature, and activity level. Since ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-1992 is for sedentary-to-moderate activity, the discussion in this study will consider sedentary-to-moderate activity with varying relative humidity (20% to 65%), dry-bulb temperature (73°F [22.78°C] to 82°F [27.78°C]), and air velocity (30 fpm [0.15 m/s] and 50 fpm [0.25 m/s]). The mean radiant temperature will be taken to be the same as the ambient air temperature. The results of this study show that level of activity is a primary factor that influences human comfort and that ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-1992 fails to predict thermal comfort at the 2.3 met activity level.

Units: Dual