Mini-symposium 16

' MEASUREMENT OF THECLIMATICPARAMET^RS

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Gaetano Alfano
DETEC (Dlpartlmeato di Energetics, TErmodioamlca applicate e
Condizionamenti ambientali) - University of Napoli “Federico II” - Piazzale
Tecchio, W-«0125 Napoli Italy
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Abstract

It is well kaown that for evaluating the thermal environment in a

workplace it is necessary to measure four physical parameters: air
temperature* air velocity, air humidity and mean radiant temperature. By
the values of these parameters’*and by the values of metabolic rate and
thermal properties of the elothing, it is then possible to evaluate a thermal
index. lire accurate measurement of these four parameters is not simple
and sometimes requires sophisticated and expensive instruments.
About the measurement of these parameters an international standard
exists, the I$O 7726. This standard is very efficient: for each parameter it
specifies the necessary accuracy, response time and measuring range. It.
describes also measuring methods for homogeneous, non-homogencous,
stationary, non-stationary environments and, in annexes, descibes the most
important measuring principles.
In this paper for each parameter we describe the principal difficulties for
the measuring and we outline when less accurate and less expensive
ISO 7243 (1989) Ht* avvfawDQOta ~ Estimation of the beat «trae oc wotfctagiMa, based on
instruments and methods can bé used in relation the level of evaluation.
te WBOT-ind» tetppon^ra) ISO Geneva,

strew«fagSlCTitels*apatite JWOGteWL*1 .

ISO 9SS6(I WlyUtetomift1 of dwnaai sfrata ty ideological teósoremoti. KO Geneva

S- ses

Revision of léO 793$ Required sweat rate: the Predicted ' r COMPARISON OF DURATION LIMITED EXPOSURE PREDICTED BY THE PHS

Heat Strain model MODEL AND THE ♦REQUIRED SWEAT RATE* (ISO 7933)________________________ >
< ,àìi ' " '• ’ • ■ • --------------- >
Mehnert P.(1). Malchalre J.Kampmann bA Gebhardt Hl.w. Grietahn >
Malchaire. J.*. Kampmann B., Mehnert P.. Gebhardt HJ., Havenlth G.. Holmér l„ Platte A®
Parson* K., Alfano G. (Olnstitut für Arbeiteghysiologie. Dortmund. Germany. Université catholique de Louvain,
♦Unité Hygiène at Physiologie du Travail, Université catholique de Louvain Brossais, Belgium. Institut für Arbeltswissenschaften RAG AG, Dortmund, Germany.
w Institut ASER, Wuppertal, Germany
...................... j

During a concerted action research project conducted by 8 laboratories and Institutes Introduction: Th* "Predicted Heat Strain* (PHS) model represents a major
In Europe. ISO 7933 "Analytical determination and interpretation of thermal stress revision of the 'Required Sweat Rate" (SW^) Index, which was standardised
using calculation of the Required Sweat Rate* was extensively reviewed concerning In ISO 7933 (1989). The present study alms at a qualitative comparison of
the following points: the duration limited exposure (OLE), predicted by bote models.
1. Respiratory evaporative and convective heat losses;
2. Clothing Influence on convection and evaporation Methode: The comparison of tee DLE's was carried out as a simulation
3. Mean body temperature; study. Air temperature and one of the other parameters (partial vapour
4. Distribution of the heat storage in the body; pressure, air velocity, mean radiant temperature, clothing Insulation and
8. Prediction of the rectal temperature (U) from the mean core temperature; metabolic rate) were varied systematically, whereas the remaining
8. Exponential averaging for U.SW; parameters were kept constant at a "normal" level. For each combination of
7. Maximum sweat reta; parameters the DLE, predicted by both models, was calculated.
8. Increase in core temperature associated with the metabolism;
9. limit of core temperature; Results: In thermal environments with moderate to high humidity the PHS
10. Maximum dehydration and water loss. model predicts Increased exposure duration*. Due to modifications in the
algorithms for convection and evaporation the effects of air velocity are now
The Index was renamed to Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) as It Intends to predict the taken Into account more specific and in combination with air temperatures up
sweat rat* and the rectal temperature minute per minute as a function of the working to 40 "C dearly longer durations of exposure are allowed. The inclusion of
conditions. tee "pumplng'-effect in the PHS-model results In a reduced influence of the
clothing insulation on the DLE In air temperatures up to 35 °C, which is
The PHS model was validated on a database Including 1113 lab and field expérimente justified empirically. In dimates with radiant heat load both PHS and SW^
with minute w minute data for the primary parameters (temperature, humidity..,) and calculate comparable exposure durations, where tee PHS model tends to
forth* physiological factors (U, sweat rate...). predict lower work durations.

The linear regressions between observed and predicted values of rectal temperatures Conclusions: It has to be taken into account teat tees* simulations ware
and sweat rates yielded the following expressions for lab experiments: done as a funtion of two parameters while keeping tee others at a constant
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SW*»» 0.918 "SWp (85% Cl: 0.540.1.523) -------- re0,760 level. The results therefore refer to particular case*. But the comparisons
Urt- 1,000* Up (95% Cl: 0.979-1.020) r» 0.658 between the two models Indicate, that the predicted DLE's from the PHS
And for field experiments: model are more realistic and do agree better with the experience from
SW « 0.85 V SW, (95% Cl: 0,328-1.936) r« 0.859 practical situations. Moreover, by introducing an exponential averaging for
uwi.otxrui» (95% Cl: 0.981 -1.019) r« 0.594 the minute by minute prediction of physiological strain parameters In the
model, situations with Intermittent heat exposure are assessed more
The PHS model will be proposed to replace the existing standard. A strategy was also
adequately, as it is no longer assumed that a steady state Is reached
developed in order to make this model easily usable directly by workers and
Instantaneously. Specific exposure conditions, which were evaluated
practitioners.
Inconsistently by the SWreq, result In considerably more realistic predictions
of the DLE's in the PHS model.

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