Maximum temp possible with a constant heat source?

[DaleSwanson]

About a month ago I went to a show in a rather small basement room. I've been there several times and it is usually very hot in there with all the people packed in. You will sweat profusely simply standing there. This last time I was with some people who hadn't been there before and found the heat quite surprising. Later though, I began to think about the situation and it seemed to me that the temperature couldn't have been that high. Rather, it was the 100% humidity that made it seem so hot. Upon explaining this idea they expressed doubt that the temperature wasn't above 100F.

My logic is this. The main source of heat is human bodies. The human body couldn't sustain a temperature significantly above 100F for a long period of time. It is impossible for the surrounding air temperature to rise above the source of the heat.

Can anyone see any flaws in that reasoning?

 

[russ_watters]

No flaws - you are correct.

 

[AJ Bentley]

Yup.

Unless some idiot left the heating on...
Take a thermometer next time.

 

[Sakha]

I think I disagree in this.
If you wear a big jacket designed for really cold weather, but you're in your living room at 25C, according to what your thoughts are, the temperature of your body won't raise. The cells produce heat, which needs to be dissipated in order to maintain the body at its normal temp. But being very insulated keeps you from dissipating the heat, and your body starts to sweat to dissipate more heat, but shouldn't there be a point that even sweating a lot woulnd't be enough to maintain the temperature?

 

[russ_watters]

Yes, your body temperature will rise above 100F if it can't adequately cool itself. The highest it can go is about 105F before you die. Even if the room was perfectly insulated, people would be passing out before the temperature of the room got above 100F.