In an attempt to determine the range of thermal conditions at which sedentary subjects report feeling comfortable, 1600 college age students were exposed in groups of 10 subjects each, five men and five women, to 20 dry bulb temperatures ranging from 60°F to 98°F in increments of 2°F at each of eight relative humidities: 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, and 85 percent, and were required to report their thermal sensations on a ballot every half hour. The results showed that for sedentary subj ects in standard clothing with an insulative value of 0.6 clo for three hours, the "comfortable" votes ranged from 62°F to 98°F. In addition, it was found that men feel warmer than women during their first hour at a given temperature and that humidity plays a significantly more important role in how men feel than how women feel.

Units: I-P