HEAT-BALANCE MODELING

The only way to describe the effects of the thermal environment on the human body completely is to do it by means of an energy balance equat ion. In such an equation all relevant meteorological parameters, behav ioral characteristics (activity and clothing) and body measurements ca n be considered. Using Fanger's comfort equation and the models MEMI a nd IMEM as examples, the problems of energy balancing and ways of solv ing them are described. The value of energy balance models is document ed by examples from the field of application.