Investigating the Basic Factors that Affect Human Comfort
As a species, we human beings are warm-blooded creatures; that is we
are biologically able to maintain a constant body temperature of 37°
centigrade, regardless of the temperature of the air around us (within
reason). However, for us to be truly comfortable in our environment,
it is desirable that the temperature of the air around us is
maintained at around 10° - 20° centigrade, depending upon whether we
are active or at rest. When planning and constructing buildings for
human habitation, it is very important that we bear this fact in mind;
a satisfactory thermal environment is an essential purpose of good
building design.
Summary of comfort measurements - temperature.
100ºC
BOILING POINT OF WATER
25ºC
FINE SUMMERS' DAY
COMFORT POINT
10ºC
WINTERS' DAY
0ºC
FREEZING POINT OF WATER
To achieve an acceptable thermal environment we need to consider the
comfort of people using the building as well as the requirements of
objects stored in them. Humans and buildings interact with the heat
that surrounds them; the amount of excess heat generated by a human
body is directly proportional to the level of activity in which the
body is engaged. Consequently; the temperature of a room may limit the
level of human activity that occurs within. For example, a room
temperature of 19C may be comfortable for a person who is quietly
reading a book, but somebody using an exercise machine in that room
would soon become overheated.
Typical heat output of human body
---------------------------------
Activity Example Typical heat emission of adult male
Immobile Sleeping 70 Watts
Seated Watching TV 115 Watts
Light work Office 140 Watts
Medium work Factory, dancing 265 Watts
Heavy work Lifting 440 Watts
Sound
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Sound is a sensation produced in the ear and brain by variations in
the pressure of air. These pressure variations transfer energy from a
source of vibration.