This paper is based on findings resulting from ASHRAE Research Project RP-1504.

Four different thermal manikins (male and female shapes)in three different laboratories (UK, Sweden, and China) wereused to determine the clothing thermal insulation values of 52non-Western, mainly indoor clothing ensembles in order toexpand the existing clothing database for use with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2013, Thermal Environmental Conditionsfor Human Occupancy (ASHRAE 2013a), ISO Standard7730-2005, Ergonomics of theThermalEnvironment -- AnalyticalDetermination and Interpretation of Thermal ComfortUsing Calculation of the PMV and PPD Indices and LocalThermal Comfort Criteria (ISO 2005), and ISO Standard9920-2009, Ergonomics of the Thermal Environment -- Estimationof Thermal Insulation andWaterVapour Resistance ofa Clothing Ensemble (ISO 2009). Insulation values varied overmanikins, which is attributed to their different shapes and thedifferent fit of the clothing. The mean value over three manikinsis reported (with standard deviation) to include this potentialreal-life variation in the results. The relation of the clothingsurface area factor to intrinsic clothing insulation was foundto be different fromthat published forWestern clothing. Predictionequations for the clothing surface area factor fcl based onthe new data had only limited predictive power, which,however, was also the case for those obtained in the past forWestern clothing. This issue seems to be commonly overlooked,as the use of these prediction equations is widespread.It has to be concluded that reliable fcl values can only beobtained when they are actually measured, as in the presentwork. However, we suggest that the concept of the fcl factor forthe non-Western clothing may not be appropriate and mayrequire further attention in research, as wide-falling-robes andgowns do not match the cylindrical clothing and air layermodel on which the fcl concept is based.In summary, the results provide an extensive database ofinsulation values of non-Western clothing that is expected to bea valuable addition to ASHRAE Standard 55-2013 (ASHRAE2013a), ISO Standard 7730-2005 (ISO 2005), and ISO Standard9920-2009 (ISO 2009).