An Internet survey of behaviour, attitudes and opinions of regular club-
goers found that night-clubs were considered to be hot or very hot places
where many respondents experienced heat related illnesses. The thermal
conditions of a night-club were measured (maximum 29OC air temperature,
90% relative humidity) and simulated in a thermal chamber. Four male and
four female subjects danced for one hour. The results showed a rise in core
temperature (mean=1.80C, sd=0.26) and skin temperature (mean=1.340C,
sd=0.48) and a sweat rate of almost 1l/h. Subjects generally felt hot and
sticky, preferring to be cooler. The physiological responses compared well
with predictions from ISO 7933 and the 2-node model of human
thermoregulation (Nishi & Gagge, 1977). The predicted effects of
continuous dancing for four hours gave a core body temperature increase to
39.10C, well above the WHO limit of 380C in occupational settings. Using
ISO 7933 appropriate work-rest schedules for dancing and water
requirements were suggested.
Introduction
Every weekend an estimated half a million people in the UK go to raves (all night
dance parties) and night-clubs (Jones, 1994). They go to dance, often for long periods of
time. The ambient thermal conditions of the night-clubs they dance in are often hot and
humid. This can put considerable heat stress on those dancing.
Since 1988 there have been approximately 16 fatalities in UK night-clubs (Henry,
1992; Arlidge 1995). Whilst drugs were often implicated, in most instances heat-stoke
was the actual cause of death. It is likely that there are also many less serious heat
related problems.
The principle aims of this investigation were to assess the thermal conditions in
night-clubs and to quantify the behavioural, physiological and subjective responses of
people dancing in them. The study comprised of 4 parts, a survey of behaviour in, and
opinions on the thermal conditions in night-clubs; an assessment of the thermal
conditions of a night-club, measurement of subjective and physiological responses of
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