Performance and Thermal Comfort

This experiment attempts to establish an objective measure of thermal comfort. A theoretical explanation of the relationship between performance and comfort is given and is represented in terms of an hypothesis. A total of 50 subjects was divided among five groups, each group experiencing one temperature in the range 15.6-26.7°C (60-80°F) for both air and surfaces. Each subject was placed in an environmental chamber for a two-hour period. During this period subjects performed two tasks: (a) an auditory inspection task, and (b) a visual tracking teat, separately and in combination. At the beginning and end, of the period each subject completed three rating scales: (a) the Bedford Warmth Scale, (b) a Thermal Sensation scale, and (c) a Comfort scale. Examination of the results from the dual task performance revealed an optimum of performance at a temperature similar to the optimum comfort temperature as given by the subjective rating scales, and an overall significant temperature effect on performance.