The influence of a sweat rate on heat losses of the selected segments of a sweating thermal manikin

Abstract

The procedure of determining the heat resistance, i.e. thermal insulation is described in a series of the European Standards. It is well recognised and disseminated across the world. However, there is no European Standard with regard to the procedure for determining clothing evapourative resistance (Ret). In 2016, ASTM published F2370 standard where it set out the method for determining Ret. The said standard however is lacking detailed information concerning the required sweat rate for a manikin. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of a sweat rate on the segmental heat losses at the selected manikin’s parts in the so-called isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The research was carried out on the NEWTON thermal manikin dressed in special fabric skin. Four sweating rates were considered, i.e. 100, 250, 500 and 650 g/(h m2). The results showed different segmental heat loss in isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. It was furthermore found that heat loss depended on a sweat rate, namely a lower sweat rate caused lower heat loss.