ABSTRACT
Although principles for the assessment of human thermal environments generally apply, there are specific populations and environments with particular characteristics where thermal comfort (and heat and cold stress) assessment may require special consideration. These include people with disabilities, babies, children, the sick, pregnant women and people from cultures different from those considered in accepted standards, as well as vehicle environments and particular types of environmental design such as the use of displacement ventilation and chilled ceilings. Consideration of special populations and special environments is provided in this chapter as well as the adaptive approach to thermoregulation, which is relevant in general thermal comfort assessment, but particularly relevant when assessing special populations and environments.
