[Evaluation of thermal comfort in a student population: predictive value of an integrated index (Fanger's predicted mean value].
Practical applications and predictive values of a thermal comfort index (Fanger's PRV) were verified on a sample school population (1236 subjects) by studying the relationships between thermal sensations (subjective analysis), determined by means of an individual questionnaire, and the values of thermal comfort index (objective analysis) obtained by calculating the PMV index individually in the subjects under study. In homogeneous conditions of metabolic expenditure rate and thermal impedence from clothing, significant differences were found between the two kinds of analyses. At 22 degrees C mean radiant and operative temperature, the PMV values averaged 0 and the percentage of subjects who experienced thermal comfort did not exceed 60%. The high level of subjects who were dissatisfied with their environmental thermal conditions confirms the doubts regarding the use of the PMV index as a predictive indicator of thermal comfort, especially considering that the negative answers were not homogeneous nor attributable to the small thermal fluctuations (less than 0.5 degree C) measured in the classrooms.
Catenacci
G
G
Terzi
R
R
Marcaletti
G
G
Tringali
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012574:Schools; D013697:Thermosensing
Valutazione del comfort termico in una popolazione studentesca: predittività di un indice integrato (PMV di Fanger).