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Appendix Two: Thermal Comfort Sensation Scales

Many thermal comfort sensation scales have been established; one is presented as an example in table A-1 below. This scale recognizes 15 degrees of comfort and discomfort with regard both to heat and humidity and 5 degrees with respect to air freshness.

Table A2.1.Thermal comfort sensation scale

Heat

Humidity

Air Freshness

Unbearably hot +7 Unbearably moist +7    
Much too hot +6 Much too moist +6    
Too hot +5 Too moist +5    
Hot +4 Moist +4 Very stuffy +2
Too warm +3 Too humid +3    
Warm +2 Humid +2 Stuffy +1
Comfortably warm +1 Comfortably humid +1    
Neutral 0 Neutral 0 Comfortable 0
Comfortably cool -1 Comfortably dry -1    
Cool -2 Dry -2 Fresh -1
Too cool -3 Too dry -3    
Cold -4 Parched -4 Very fresh -2
Too cold -5 Too parched -5    
Much too cold -6 Much too parched -6    
Unbearably cold - 7 Unbearably parched -7    

In applying this scale to a practical situation, one determines the degrees that correspond to the sensation and notes down the corresponding code from table A-1 and the time of observation on a record sheet similar to the example shown in table A-2 along with other relevant data.

Table A2.2. Typical data sheet for environmental conditions and thermal comfort observation

Outdoor Weather Conditions   Date  
Description of Room   Location  
   

Observations

Instrument Measurement 1 2 3
Time of observation        
Whirling hygrometer °C Dry bulb      
  °C Wet bulb      
  °C Wet bulb      
  Temp. difference      
From tables or chart % Relative Humidity      
From tables or chart Dew Point      
Globe thermometer G. T. °C      
Silvered thermometer S. T. °C      
Kata thermometer Cooling times      
Factor:        
Range:        
Glass or silvered        
From nomogram Cooling power      
  Air velocity      
Effective temperature        
(Normal-scale nomogram) E. T. °C      
Effective temperature        
(Basic-scale nomogram) B.E.T.°C      
Corrected effective temperature (Basic-scale nomogram) G.E.T. (B)°C      
Mean temperature of surroundings M.T.S. °C      
Equivalent temperature nomogram Equiv. Temp. °C      
Thermal comfort sensations        
Sensation Time      
a. Heat        
b. Moisture        
c. Freshness        
Name________________________ Posture or work_______ Weight_____________
Age and sex___________________ Last meal: time________  
  nature________  
Clothing_______________________    

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