Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT)—its history and its limitations

Budd, G. M.

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2007.07.003

Cited by 532 publications

(377 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…For warm conditions, indices usually consist of combinations of dry-bulb temperature and different measures for humidity or wind speed -such as the humidex (Smoyer-Tomic et al, 2003), the net effective temperature (Li and Chan, 2000), the wetbulb globe temperature (Budd, 2009), the heat index (Steadman, 1979) or the apparent temperature (Steadman, 1984). More generally, efforts have been made to harmonize the large number of indices developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a monitoring system of temperature extremes in Europe

Lavaysse

Cammalleri

Dosio

et al. 2018

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Extreme-temperature anomalies such as heat and cold waves may have strong impacts on human activities and health. The heat waves in western Europe in 2003 and in Russia in 2010, or the cold wave in southeastern Europe in 2012, generated a considerable amount of economic loss and resulted in the death of several thousands of people. Providing an operational system to monitor extreme-temperature anomalies in Europe is thus of prime importance to help decision makers and emergency services to be responsive to an unfolding extreme event.In this study, the development and the validation of a monitoring system of extreme-temperature anomalies are presented. The first part of the study describes the methodology based on the persistence of events exceeding a percentile threshold. The method is applied to three different observational datasets, in order to assess the robustness and highlight uncertainties in the observations. The climatology of extreme events from the last 21 years is then analysed to highlight the spatial and temporal variability of the hazard, and discrepancies amongst the observational datasets are discussed. In the last part of the study, the products derived from this study are presented and discussed with respect to previous studies. The results highlight the accuracy of the developed index and the statistical robustness of the distribution used to calculate the return periods.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a monitoring system of temperature extremes in Europe

Lavaysse

Cammalleri

Dosio

et al. 2018

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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show abstract

“…However, in spite of wide usability and applicability of WBGT, it is also associated with some limi-tations, which make it only a screening indicator for thermal conditions. For example, some deficacy of WBGT index efficiency in very hot and humid condition can be observed (8). Therefore, detailed analysis through accurate rational indices such as predicted heat strain (PHS) or heat related physiological responses are strongly recommended whenever primary heat stress condition is observed (9).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consistency Assessment of Heat Stress Monitoring of Outdoor Workers Using Sweat Rate Measurement and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature WBGT in Arid and Semi-Arid Climates

Heidari¹,

Golbabaei²,

Shamsipour³

et al. 2018

Health Scope

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Background: Heat stress as a major problem that strikes a lot of people, especially outdoor workers, throughout the world. Many parts of Iran have arid and semi-arid climates, in which high air temperature and radiant temperature, along with usually low humidity, cause hazardous conditions for outdoor workers in hot months. Therefore, in order to take every preventive measure to protect exposed workers against heat related disorders, it is indispensable to select an appropriate index that accurately relates environmental parameters to physiological responses. Objectives: This investigation aimed at investigating two heat stress and strain indices of wet bulb globe temperature-WBGT-and sweat rate, respectively, in order to examine their consistencies in arid and semi-arid climates of Iran. Methods: A total of 272 outdoor workers from different jobs were randomly selected and their sweat rate was calculated via a defined protocol three times a day. Simultaneously, environmental parameters, as well as WBGT index, were recorded for each working station. This study was performed during spring and summer. Results: The obtained results based on Kappa value showed a weak agreement between two standard indices. In addition, evaluation of outdoor workers using WBGT compared to sweat rate was accompanied by an overestimation. Moreover, based on mean and standard amounts of sweat rate, there were no cases exceeding the presented reference value regarding sweat rate at any time of the study. Conclusions: It seems that sweat rate standard level at a shift work may need some modifications related to the real condition of work in arid and semi-arid climates of Iran. In addition, judgment based on monitoring sweat rate alone, as a physiological response to heat in these climates, can be probably accompanied by underestimation

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“…So, it is always a good idea to incorporate a natural ventilation system, whether open doors or natural ventilation driven HVAC system. (Budd, 2008) investigates the most widely used heat stress index, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature or WBGT. It combines convection, radiation, humidity and wind velocity to the overall assessment of the thermal environment.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining several thermal indices to generate a unique heat comfort assessment methodology

Hachem

Khoury

Harik

2015

JIEM

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Abstract:Purpose: The proposed methodology hopes to provide a systematic multi-disciplinary approach to assess the thermal environment while minimizing unneeded efforts.Design/methodology/approach: Different factors affect the perception of the human thermal experience: metabolic rate (biology), surrounding temperatures (heat balance and environmental factors) and cognitive treatment (physiology).This paper proposes a combination of different multidisciplinary variables to generate a unique heat comfort assessment methodology. The variables at stake are physiological, biological, and environmental. Our own heat analysis is thoroughly presented and all relevant equations are described.Findings: Most companies are oblivious about potential dangers of heat stress accidents and thus about methods to monitor and prevent them. This methodology enables the company or the concerned individual to conduct a preliminary assessment with minimal wasted resources and time in unnecessary steps whilst providing a guideline for a detailed study with minimal error rates if needed. More so, thermal comfort is an integral part of sound ergonomics practices, which in turn are decisive for the success of any lean six sigma initiative. Research limitations/implications: This methodology requires several full implementationsto finalize its design.-1491-Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management -http://dx.doi.org/10.3926/jiem.1521 Originality/value: Most used heat comfort models are inherently uncertain and tiresome to apply.An extensive literature review confirms the need for a uniform assessment methodology that combines the different thermal comfort models such as the Fanger comfort model (PMV, PPD) and WGBT since high error rates coupled with tiresome calculations often hinder the thermal assessment process.

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Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT)—its history and its limitations

Cited by 532 publications

References 30 publications

Towards a monitoring system of temperature extremes in Europe

Towards a monitoring system of temperature extremes in Europe

Consistency Assessment of Heat Stress Monitoring of Outdoor Workers Using Sweat Rate Measurement and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature WBGT in Arid and Semi-Arid Climates

Combining several thermal indices to generate a unique heat comfort assessment methodology

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