DE-79-09-4 -- Thermal Acceptability PDF

The effects on occupants from temperatures that deviate from those of optimum comfort can be predicted by various methods (PPD, percent comfortable, percent thermally acceptable). Though the various acceptability criteria are different, the results are quite similar. A generalization is that a 2.50 C temperature deviation from optimum where acceptability is about 95% will decrease acceptability to about 80%. The optimum temperature for office spaces away from perimeter areas is mainly a function of the occupant's clothing which is influenced by or chose'n for the season and outside conditions.