A Software Tool That Provides Guidance on Thermal Comfort Conditions for People with Physical Disabilities

Abstract

This paper describes a computer model that provides guidance on the thermal comfort responses and preferences of people with physical disabilities. The model uses data gathered during a three year project funded by the United Kingdom Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. 150 subjects spent three two hour sessions in a thermal chamber where they were exposed to three environments: 18.5°C PMV=-1.5 (slightly cool to cool); 23°C PMV=0 (neutral); and 29°C, PMV=+1.5 (slightly warm to warm). Ten categories of disability are presented in the model they are: cerebral palsy, spinal injury, spinal degeneration, Spina bifida, hemiplegia & Stroke, Polio, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, head injury and multiple sclerosis. The model contains the raw data from the study and with a user friendly front end can produce a variety of graphical data analysis charts and summary information including sensation, preference and satisfaction. Disabilities can be investigated singularly or grouped. The model runs on versions of Excel 3 or above.