DISCOMFORT CAUSED BY SITTING NEXT TO A COLD WINDOW: SIMULATED RAILWAY CARRIAGE AT NIGHT

摘要

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the thermal comfort of subjects seated "side on" to a vertical cold window, in an otherwise thermally neutral environment. Objective and Subjective measures were taken from eight male subjects whilst they were exposed to a cold window with a surface temperature of 5 ± 1°C The experiment was carried out in a purpose built thermal chamber in which all other environmental conditions were constant. Exposure to the window was found to cause a significant decrease in mean skin temperature, as well as significant radiant asymmetry across participants' bodies. Thermal sensation, preference, discomfort and perception of draught all altered significantly as a result of exposure. Prediction of three models (PMV, Draught Rating and Radiant Asymmetry) were compared with the actual percentage of dissatisfied participants (APD). PMV was found to be the most accurate predictive model for these conditions.