Man and his thermal environment

"This report is concerned with the physiological adjustments of man and his subjective assessment of his environment as related to the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning of buildings. Its purpose is to present a review of the literature on the subject, to interpret the data where possible in terms of Canadian conditions and requirements, and to indicate those particular aspects in which further investigation by laboratory and field studies could yield benefits to building practice in Canada, through the achievement of indoor environmental conditions which approach the optimum. The design and construction of buildings for human occupancy are affected by many physiological factors, the most important being the provision for a controlled and adequate rate of heat loss from the human body. Excessive or greatly deficient rates of heat loss can produce harmful physiological stress in the body. Even minor deviations, if they cannot be prevented by the body vasomotor heat regulating mechanism, will cause marked sensations of discomfort. Control of the heat loss by adjustments in the physical environment is effected by regulation of air temperature, air motion, radiation exchange of the human body with the surrounding surfaces, and humidity. Such other factors as activity, type and amount of clothing, acclimatization, age, sex, and state of health of the occupants, as well as the rate of ventilation, the sterility of the air and its freedom from dust, fumes, and odors are also of considerable importance in the establishment of an environment conducive to human comfort and well-being."--Introduction.