Development of a method for measuring thermal comfort in medical clothing through the hot plate apparatus

This paper is based on the undergraduate project entitled 'Procedure Manual for measuring thermal comfort in medical clothing' which developed the method for measuring thermal comfort. International standards such as ASTM F168 and ISO 11092 were chosen as the basis due to the lack of regulations in Colombia; from the guidelines in the standards a procedure for measuring thermal comfort through a hot plate apparatus was developed by means of parameters of temperature, humidity, and air velocity. The purpose of this paper is to define the steps needed to follow when developing a procedure for measuring thermal comfort. A brief explanation of the parameters and variables measured and of the procedure itself is also included. The final result is a method divided into five parts: 1 preparing materials, 2, 3, and 4 the main phases for measuring: thermal resistance, evaporation resistance, permeability index, heat loss, and 5 determining characteristics and interpreting results. This paper provides a significant contribution not only for the method for measuring thermal comfort but also for the Hot Plate Apparatus built for first time in Colombia which was necessary to take the corresponding measures.