HUMANS UNDER SHOWERS - THERMAL SENSITIVITY, THERMONEUTRAL SENSATIONS,AND COMFORT ESTIMATES

Thirty male subjects participated in four experiments under showers to explore the sensitivities to water temperature and to its slow or rap id fluctuations. After having set the water temperature, at constant f low rate, at either a thermoneutral or a preferred level, subjects wer e asked to detect thermal changes or to report their thermosensory and affective judgments associated with water temperature changes. Result s of water temperature, skin temperature, and subjective estimates sho wed that skin temperature for thermally neutral sensation under a show er were very similar to those observed in air, and such a thermoneutra l level produced no discomfort. Preferred water temperature was slight ly warmer and led to slightly elevated skin temperatures, warmth, and pleasantness estimates. Skin sensitivity to water thermal changes was very acute during slow and even more acute during rapid thermal transi ents. The conclusions of the present study are of value in the product ion of appropriate equipment to provide thermal comfort to people taki ng showers.