Thermal comfort in warm, humid atmospheres Observations in a warship in the tropics

Abstract

Seamen serving on a warship were given questionnaires concerning their sensations of warmth and comfort during two investigations when the ship was proceeding between tropical and northerly waters. Temp. measurements were recorded at the same time. The upper level of warmth for ventilation systems was taken as that where 80% of the men were reasonably comfortable, or less than 20% recorded that they were sweating; this corresponded to an effective temp. of 79[degree]-78[degree] F. Equal proportions of persons reported that they were cool or warm at 74[degree] F effective temp. Very few reported sweating, whatever the air velocity or their clothing, under 83 F dry bulb temp. Above 85[degree]F (dry bulb), air velocity became increasingly important.