Enhancing thermal comfort prediction in high-speed trains through machine learning and physiological signals integration.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in high-speed trains (HST) are responsible for consuming approximately 70% of non-operational energy sources, yet they frequently fail to ensure provide adequate thermal comfort for the majority of passengers. Recent advancements in portable wearable sensors have opened up new possibilities for real-time detection of occupant thermal comfort status and timely feedback to the HVAC system. However, since occupant thermal comfort is subjective and cannot be directly measured, it is generally inferred from thermal environment parameters or physiological signals of occupants within the HST compartment. This paper presents a field test conducted to assess the thermal comfort of occupants within HST compartments. Leveraging physiological signals, including skin temperature, galvanic skin reaction, heart rate, and ambient temperature, we propose a Predicted Thermal Comfort (PTC) model for HST cabin occupants and establish an intelligent regulation model for the HVAC system. Nine input factors, comprising physiological signals, individual physiological characteristics, compartment seating, and ambient temperature, were formulated for the PTS model. In order to obtain an efficient and accurate PTC prediction model for HST cabin occupants, we compared the accuracy of different subsets of features trained by Machine Learning (ML) models of Random Forest, Decision Tree, Vector Machine and K-neighbourhood. We divided all the predicted feature values into four subsets, and did hyperparameter optimisation for each ML model. The HST compartment occupant PTC prediction model trained by Random Forest model obtained 90.4% Accuracy (F1 macro = 0.889). Subsequent sensitivity analyses of the best predictive models were then performed using SHapley Additive explanation (SHAP) and data-based sensitivity analysis (DSA) methods. The development of a more accurate and operationally efficient thermal comfort prediction model for HST occupants allows for precise and detailed feedback to the HVAC system. Consequently, the HVAC system can make the most appropriate and effective air supply adjustments, leading to improved satisfaction rates for HST occupant thermal comfort and the avoidance of energy wastage caused by inaccurate and untimely predictive feedback.

Efficacy of Portable Air Cleaners and Masking for Reducing Indoor Exposure to Simulated Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols - United States, 2021.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be spread by exposure to droplets and aerosols of respiratory fluids that are released by infected persons when they cough, sing, talk, or exhale. To reduce indoor transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between persons, CDC recommends measures including physical distancing, universal masking (the use of face masks in public places by everyone who is not fully vaccinated), and increased room ventilation (1). Ventilation systems can be supplemented with portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners* to reduce the number of infectious particles in the air and provide enhanced protection from transmission between persons (2); two recent reports found that HEPA air cleaners in classrooms could reduce overall aerosol particle concentrations by ≥80% within 30 minutes (3,4). To investigate the effectiveness of portable HEPA air cleaners and universal masking at reducing exposure to exhaled aerosol particles, the investigation team used respiratory simulators to mimic a person with COVID-19 and other, uninfected persons in a conference room. The addition of two HEPA air cleaners that met the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-recommended clean air delivery rate (CADR) (5) reduced overall exposure to simulated exhaled aerosol particles by up to 65% without universal masking. Without the HEPA air cleaners, universal masking reduced the combined mean aerosol concentration by 72%. The combination of the two HEPA air cleaners and universal masking reduced overall exposure by up to 90%. The HEPA air cleaners were most effective when they were close to the aerosol source. These findings suggest that portable HEPA air cleaners can reduce exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols in indoor environments, with greater reductions in exposure occurring when used in combination with universal masking.

Airflow Characteristics in Aeromedical Aircraft: Considerations During COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aeromedical transport of coronavirus patients presents risks to clinicians and aircrew. Patient positioning and physical barriers may provide additional protection during flight. This paper describes airflow testing undertaken on fixed wing and rotary wing aeromedical aircraft. METHODS: Airflow testing was undertaken on a stationary Hawker Beechcraft B200C and Leonardo Augusta Westland 139. Airflow was simulated using a Trainer 101 (MSS Professional A/S, Odense Sø, Syddanmark, Denmark) Smoke machine. Different cabin configurations were used along with variations in heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. RESULTS: For the Hawker Beechcraft B200C, smoke generated within the forward section of the cabin was observed to fill the cabin to a fluid boundary located in-line with the forward edge of the cargo door. With the curtain closed, smoke was only observed to enter the cockpit in very small quantities. For the Leonardo AW139, smoke generated within the cabin was observed to expand to fill the cabin evenly before dissipating. With the curtain closed, smoke was observed to enter the cockpit only in small quantities CONCLUSION: The use of physical barriers in fixed wing and rotary wing aeromedical aircraft provides some protection to aircrew. Optimal positioning of the patient is on the aft stretcher on the Beechcraft B200C and on a laterally orientated stretcher on the AW139. The results provide a baseline for further investigation into methods to protect aircrew during the coronavirus pandemic.

Identification of T3 and T4 Genotypes of Acanthamoeba sp. in Dust Samples Isolated from Air Conditioning Equipment of Public Hospital of Ituiutaba-MG.

The free-living amoebae are currently considered an emerging parasitic infection. The infection by this protozoan can generate serious infection and even cause death. Due to their amphizoic and opportunistic characters of these microorganisms, one should give more attention, not only in swimming pools but also where there are immunologically susceptible patients such as those found in intensive care units and surgical centers. Due to their difficult diagnosis often postmortem, because they are considered to be an emerging parasitic infection and their diagnosis is difficult, often performed post mortem. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of these protozoa in air conditioners by taking samples of dust from both the surgical center and the intensive therapy unit. We analyzed 48 dust samples that were collected from six air conditioners equipment located in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Surgical Center (SC) of a public hospital. We found 10.4% of the samples collected in the SC, and 75% of the samples collected in the ICU presented free-living amoeba cysts by light microscopy analysis. In total, 35.4% (17/48) of the air conditioning samples of the hospital were positive and, by PCR, were identified to belong to the genus Acanthamoeba spp and Balamuthia mandrillaris species. By DNA sequencing analysis, it was possible to classify the Acanthamoeba samples as belonging to the T3 and T4 genotypes. These genotypes are the main cause of keratitis in humans, and Balamuthia may cause amoebic encephalitis, and together are emerging parasitic infections. Our results show the presence of the two most important amoebas Acanthamoeba (T3 and T4 genotypes) and Balamuthia in the SC and the ICU, and these necessary precautions these sites could be propagating cysts of these amoebas and patients during their stay or discharge could present ocular and NSC alterations without perhaps arriving to the diagnosis of free-living amoeba infection.

Comparing Forced-Air to Resistive-Polymer Warming for Perioperative Temperature Management: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Compare perioperative temperature management between forced-air warming (FAW) and resistive-polymer heating blankets (RHBs). DESIGN: A retrospective, quasi-experimental study. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis of nonspine orthopedic cases (N = 426) over a one-year period including FAW (n = 119) and RHBs (n = 307). FINDINGS: FAW was associated with a significantly higher final intraoperative temperature (P = .001, d = 0.46) than the RHB. The incidence of hypothermia was not found to be significantly different at the end (P = .102) or anytime throughout surgery (P = .270). Of all patients who started hypothermic, the FAW group had a lower incidence of hypothermia at the end of surgery (P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: FAW was associated with higher final temperatures and a greater number of normothermic patients than RHBs. However, no causal relationship between a warming device and hypothermia incidence should be assumed.

Quantitative filter forensics with residential HVAC filters to assess indoor concentrations.

Analysis of the dust from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters is a promising long-term sampling method to characterize airborne particle-bound contaminants. This filter forensics (FF) approach provides valuable insights about differences between buildings, but does not allow for an estimation of indoor concentrations. In this investigation, FF is extended to quantitative filter forensics (QFF) by using measurements of the volume of air that passes through the filter and the filter efficiency, to assess the integrated average airborne concentrations of total fungal and bacterial DNA, 36 fungal species, endotoxins, phthalates, and organophosphate esters (OPEs) based on dust extracted from HVAC filters. Filters were collected from 59 homes located in central Texas, USA, after 1 month of deployment in each summer and winter. Results showed considerable differences in the concentrations of airborne particle-bound contaminants in studied homes. The airborne concentrations for most of the analytes are comparable with those reported in the literature. In this sample of homes, the HVAC characterization measurements varied much less between homes than the variation in the filter dust concentration of each analyte, suggesting that even in the absence of HVAC data, FF can provide insight about concentration differences for homes with similar HVAC systems.

Microbiological monitoring of heater-cooler unit to keep free of Mycobacterium chimaera infection.

INTRODUCTION: The association of Mycobacterium chimaera infection in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with the use of heater-cooler units (HCU) has been reported in various literature. We described microbiological monitoring and the extent of microbiological contamination of HCUs utilized in our centre and strategies employed to reduce the high microbial load. METHODS: Since August 2016, we have been following the new Instructions for Use from the manufacturer for the cleaning and disinfection of three units of Stöckert 3T and four units of Stöckert 1T HCU at the National Heart Centre Singapore. Microbiological monitoring began in January 2017 and included acid-fast bacilli (AFB) culture, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total colony and total coliform count. Methods, such as increasing disinfection frequency and making the HCU inactive by keeping it empty in storage, were used to reduce the high colony count. RESULTS: All three units of Stöckert 3T and two units of Stöckert 1T were contaminated with Mycobacterium chimaera. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and total coliform count were consistently <1 colony-forming unit (CFU)/100 mL in every water sample of each HCU. High colony counts were encountered initially in all units. Step-up frequency of disinfection was found to be not as effective as keeping the HCU inactive in bringing the total colony count to an acceptable level. CONCLUSIONS: All monitoring and maintenance measures of HCUs need to be established and maintained to mitigate potential infection risks to patients. Strict adherence to all cleaning and disinfection processes and keeping the HCU inactive maintained the water quality of the HCU at acceptable levels.

Elemental compositions of particulate matter retained on air condition unit's filters at Greater Doha, Qatar.

Elemental composition of airborne dust samples retained by internal filters of air condition units (ACUs) was determined at 12 locations of Doha city, state of Qatar. Twenty-four elements: Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, K, Ti, Zn, P, Sr, Mn, Ba, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, V, Mo, Li, Co, Sb, As, Cd, Be, were analysed by ICP-OES technique after acid digestion of the samples. The analysed components reflect 20.6% of the total sample mass. Similar or lower concentration values have been found for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Al, and Fe compared to the international context of upper crust concentrations, NIST SRM (urban dust), published local dust information of outdoor, and surface terrestrial deposit (STD) counted for 7.2, 0.7, 91.8, 192.8, 369.7, 68.6, 65.3, 52.1, 824.3, 19,791, 20,508 mg/kg, respectively. The coefficient of correlation (p ≤ 0.05) showed significant association of ACUs dust elemental compositions with the main components of the local earth crust and surface deposits, ranging from the lowest 0.77 (Mg-Fe) to the highest 0.98 (Al-Fe), while Ni and V, typical anthropogenic pollutants, are also strongly correlated (0.86). These strong correlation relationships can be interpreted as the contribution of outdoor particulate to the indoor dust. Dendrogram of metal/Al ratios, based on Euclidean distance calculation and average linkage clustering method, distinguished three typical groups. Studying the enrichment factors of the three groups indicated elevated levels of Zn (131), Pb (49), Cu (32), Cd (8) and Ni (5) found indoors compared to the background composition of STD especially at locations in the industrial zone. The major elemental composition of the samples reflects the typical mineral composition of the local dust, while the trace composition demonstrates the influence of indoor sources. The collected ACU filter dust samples show significant contribution of outdoor mineral particles, non-exhaust traffic emission, industrial sources, as well as the influence of indoor activity such as smoking.

Residential HVAC runtime from smart thermostats: characterization, comparison, and impacts.

In North America, the majority of homes use forced-air systems for heating and cooling. The proportion of time these systems operate, or runtime, has a significant impact on many building performance parameters. The recent adoption of smart thermostats in many North American homes presents a potential data source for runtime. Smart thermostat data collected from over 7000 homes were compared with nine other investigations and a runtime estimation method based on exterior temperature. The smart thermostat runtimes have a median of 18% across all homes, but show considerable variation between homes, even at constant exterior temperature conditions suggesting that factors besides climate (eg, system sizing, user operation) have a significant impact on runtime. Results from other investigations suggest that smart thermostat runtimes are consistent with other measurement approaches. The practical implications of runtime include the impact on central filtration performance. At low to average runtimes, the filter efficiency matters much less for effectiveness because the system does not run enough for a sufficient air volume to pass through the filter and have a substantial impact on particle concentrations. This work illustrates the importance of measuring runtime for a particular home, and the value of data obtained from smart thermostats.

Effectiveness of a portable air cleaner in removing aerosol particles in homes close to highways.

Outdoor traffic-related airborne particles can infiltrate a building and adversely affect the indoor air quality. Limited information is available on the effectiveness of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration of traffic-related particles. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of portable HEPA air cleaners in reducing indoor concentrations of traffic-related and other aerosols, including black carbon (BC), PM2.5 , ultraviolet absorbing particulate matter (UVPM) (a marker of tobacco smoke), and fungal spores. This intervention study consisted of a placebo-controlled cross-over design, in which a HEPA cleaner and a placebo "dummy" were placed in homes for 4-weeks each, with 48-hour air sampling conducted prior to and during the end of each treatment period. The concentrations measured for BC, PM2.5 , UVPM, and fungal spores were significantly reduced following HEPA filtration, but not following the dummy period. The indoor fraction of BC/PM2.5 was significantly reduced due to the HEPA cleaner, indicating that black carbon was particularly impacted by HEPA filtration. This study demonstrates that HEPA air purification can result in a significant reduction of traffic-related and other aerosols in diverse residential settings.

Minimising the risk of Mycobacterium chimaera infection during cardiopulmonary bypass by the removal of heater-cooler units from the operating room.

INTRODUCTION: Mycobacterium chimaera ( M. chimaera) is a recently characterised bacterium that can cause life-threatening infections in small numbers of patients who undergo cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery. The likely mode of transmission is thought to occur through aerosolisation from contaminated water reservoirs. The airborne bacteria then contaminate the surgical field, leading to an infection months or even years later. The preferred practical solution to disrupt the transmission of these airborne bacteria to the patient is to remove the heater-cooler units (HCUs) from the operating room (OR). We describe a process of achieving this in order to provide information to guide other institutions who wish to do a similar thing. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was assembled to work on the project. The planning phase involved trialling different OR layouts and simulating the alterations in the HCU circuit function. The changes to the OR were made over a weekend to minimise disruption to the operating schedule. RESULTS: The HCU was moved to the dirty utility room adjacent to the OR. Standard operating procedures (SOP) and risk assessments were made to enable this to be used for a dual purpose. One of the ORs was reconfigured to allow the cardiopulmonary bypass machine to be located close to the HCU in the dirty utility room. The total cost of the alterations was £6,158. Although we have provided a physical barrier to interrupt patient exposure to aerosolised M. chimaera from HCUs, we continue to perform cultures and decontamination as per the national recommendations. The SOP was designed to be auditable to ensure compliance with the protocols. CONCLUSIONS: We show a method by which the HCU can be removed from the OR in a relatively low-cost, straightforward and practical manner.

Identifying determinants of noise in a medical intensive care unit.

Continuous and intermittent exposure to noise elevates stress, increases blood pressure, and disrupts sleep among patients in hospital intensive care units. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a behavior-based intervention to reduce noise and to identify determinants of noise in a medical intensive care unit. Staff were trained for 6 weeks to reduce noise during their activities in an effort to keep noise levels below 55 dBA during the day and below 50 dBA at night. One-min noise levels were logged continuously in patient rooms 8 weeks before and after the intervention. Noise levels were compared by room position, occupancy status, and time of day. Noise levels from flagged days (>60 dBA for >10 hr) were correlated with activity logs. The intervention was ineffective, with noise frequently exceeding project goals during the day and night. Noise levels were higher in rooms with the oldest heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, even when patient rooms were unoccupied. Of the flagged days, the odds of noise over 60 dBA occurring was 5.3 dBA higher when high-flow respiratory support devices were in use compared to times with low-flow devices in use (OR = 5.3, 95% CI = 5.0-5.5). General sources, like the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, contribute to high baseline noise and high-volume (>10 L/min) respiratory-support devices generate additional high noise (>60 dBA) in Intensive Care Unit patient rooms. This work suggests that engineering controls (e.g., ventilation changes or equipment shielding) may be more effective in reducing noise in hospital intensive care units than behavior modification alone.

Mycobacterium chimaera infections associated with heater-cooler units in cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mycobacterium chimaera infections following cardiac surgery have been reported from an increasing number of countries. These infections are characterized by a poor prognosis with a case fatality rate around 50% despite treatment. Since the first description in 2013, our understanding has grown steadily. Several outbreak investigations, case series, and experiments with heater-cooler units (HCUs) have been published. This review summarizes the current knowledge. RECENT FINDINGS: M. chimaera transmission occurs during cardiopulmonary bypass via bioaerosols emitted from contaminated HCU water systems. Manifestations of M. chimaera infection comprise endocarditis, vascular graft infections, surgical site infections, and dissemination. So far, all cases were exposed to a single HCU brand. Samples from the manufacturing site as well as clonality of M. chimaera strains isolated from HCUs and patients suggest a contamination already at time of delivery representing the main source for the outbreak. Nevertheless, HCU contamination in hospitals cannot be excluded. SUMMARY: Improved awareness of physicians of M. chimaera infection is crucial to prompt adequate diagnostic workup in patients that have been exposed to HCU presenting with compatible symptoms. For risk mitigation, strict separation between the air volume in contact with HCUs and critical clinical areas such as operating rooms is essential.

The effect of small solar powered 'Bͻkͻͻ' net fans on mosquito net use: results from a randomized controlled cross-over trial in southern Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are ineffective malaria transmission prevention tools if they are unused. Discomfort due to heat is the most commonly reported reason for not using nets, but this problem is largely unaddressed. With increasing rural electrification and the dropping price of solar power, fans could improve comfort inside nets and be affordable to populations in malaria endemic areas. Here, results are presented from a pilot randomized controlled cross-over study testing the effect of fans on LLIN use. METHODS: Eighty-three households from two rural communities in Greater Accra, Ghana, randomized into three groups, participated in a 10-month cross-over trial. After a screening survey to identify eligible households, all households received new LLINs. BÍ»kͻͻ net fan systems (one fan per member) were given to households in Group 1 and water filters were given to households in Group 2. At mid-point, Group 1 and 2 crossed over interventions. Households in Group 1 and 2 participated in fortnightly surveys on households' practices related to nets, fans and water filters, while households in Group 3 were surveyed only at screening, mid-point and study end. Entomological and weather data were collected throughout the study. Analysis took both 'per protocol' (PP) and 'intention to treat' (ITT) approaches. The mid- and end-point survey data from Group 1 and 2 were analysed using Firth logistic regressions. Fortnightly survey data from all groups were analysed using logistic regressions with random effects. RESULTS: Provision of fans to households appeared to increase net use in this study. Although the increase in net use explained by fans was not significant in the primary analyses (ITT odds ratio 3.24, p > 0.01; PP odds ratio = 1.17, p > 0.01), it was significant in secondary PP analysis (odds ratio = 1.95, p < 0.01). Net use was high at screening and even higher after provision of new LLINs and with follow up. Fan use was 90-100% depending on the fortnightly visit. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study could not provide definitive evidence that fans increase net use. A larger study with additional statistical power is needed to assess this association across communities with diverse environmental and socio-demographic characteristics.

Ecological succession of the microbial communities of an air-conditioning cooling coil in the tropics.

Air-conditioning systems harbor microorganisms, potentially spreading them to indoor environments. While air and surfaces in air-conditioning systems are periodically sampled as potential sources of indoor microbes, little is known about the dynamics of cooling coil-associated communities and their effect on the downstream airflow. Here, we conducted a 4-week time series sampling to characterize the succession of an air-conditioning duct and cooling coil after cleaning. Using an universal primer pair targeting hypervariable regions of the 16S/18S ribosomal RNA, we observed a community succession for the condensed water, with the most abundant airborne taxon Agaricomycetes fungi dominating the initial phase and Sphingomonas bacteria becoming the most prevalent taxa toward the end of the experiment. Duplicate air samples collected upstream and downstream of the coil suggest that the system does not act as ecological filter or source/sink for specific microbial taxa during the duration of the experiment.

Quantitative filter forensics for indoor particle sampling.

Filter forensics is a promising indoor air investigation technique involving the analysis of dust which has collected on filters in central forced-air heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) or portable systems to determine the presence of indoor particle-bound contaminants. In this study, we summarize past filter forensics research to explore what it reveals about the sampling technique and the indoor environment. There are 60 investigations in the literature that have used this sampling technique for a variety of biotic and abiotic contaminants. Many studies identified differences between contaminant concentrations in different buildings using this technique. Based on this literature review, we identified a lack of quantification as a gap in the past literature. Accordingly, we propose an approach to quantitatively link contaminants extracted from HVAC filter dust to time-averaged integrated air concentrations. This quantitative filter forensics approach has great potential to measure indoor air concentrations of a wide variety of particle-bound contaminants. Future studies directly comparing quantitative filter forensics to alternative sampling techniques are required to fully assess this approach, but analysis of past research suggests the enormous possibility of this approach.

Particulate Matter in the Air of the Underground Chamber Complex of the Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Resort.

This study evaluates the mass concentration and chemical composition of particulate matter (PM), collected in the chamber complex of the underground health resort located in the Wieliczka Salt Mine in southern Poland. Physical and chemical properties of PM were examined from the standpoint of their possible connection with therapeutic effects of the subterranean air in the mine. We found that in three underground spots we measured the average concentration of PM did not exceed 30 µg/m3. Chemical composition of PM was dominated by sodium chloride, making up 88 % of its mass, on average. It was shown that the underground ambient concentration of PM and its chemical composition depended mostly on the nature of the rock material present in the ventilation tunnel of the health resort, filtering the incoming air. The presence and effect of external sources of PM, including patients' activity, also had an impact on the underground PM concentration.

Investigation of the sound generation mechanisms for in-duct orifice plates.

Sound generation due to an orifice plate in a hard-walled flow duct which is commonly used in air distribution systems (ADS) and flow meters is investigated. The aim is to provide an understanding of this noise generation mechanism based on measurements of the source pressure distribution over the orifice plate. A simple model based on Curle's acoustic analogy is described that relates the broadband in-duct sound field to the surface pressure cross spectrum on both sides of the orifice plate. This work describes careful measurements of the surface pressure cross spectrum over the orifice plate from which the surface pressure distribution and correlation length is deduced. This information is then used to predict the radiated in-duct sound field. Agreement within 3 dB between the predicted and directly measured sound fields is obtained, providing direct confirmation that the surface pressure fluctuations acting over the orifice plates are the main noise sources. Based on the developed model, the contributions to the sound field from different radial locations of the orifice plate are calculated. The surface pressure is shown to follow a U3.9 velocity scaling law and the area over which the surface sources are correlated follows a U1.8 velocity scaling law.

An innovative HVAC control system: Implementation and testing in a vehicular cabin.

Personal vehicles undergo rapid development in every imaginable way. However, a concept of managing a cabin thermal environment remains unchanged for decades. The only major improvement has been an automatic HVAC controller with one user's input - temperature. In this case, the temperature is often deceiving because of thermally asymmetric and dynamic nature of the cabins. As a result, the effects of convection and radiation on passengers are not captured in detail what also reduces the potential to meet thermal comfort expectations. Advanced methodologies are available to assess the cabin environment in a fine resolution (e.g. ISO 14505:2006), but these are used mostly in laboratory conditions. The novel idea of this work is to integrate equivalent temperature sensors into a vehicular cabin in proximity of an occupant. Spatial distribution of the sensors is expected to provide detailed information about the local environment that can be used for personalised, comfort driven HVAC control. The focus of the work is to compare results given by the implemented system and a Newton type thermal manikin. Three different ambient settings were examined in a climate chamber. Finally, the results were compared and a good match of equivalent temperatures was found.