ASSESSMENT OF HEAT INDEX AND THERMAL COMFORT IN MINI CAMPUS UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA

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ABSTRACT

Due to the large amount of fossil fuel being used up to achieve thermal comfort in the tropics, the future of a healthy environment in the tropical region looks uncertain. Conserving fossil fuel energy and resources used to enhance indoor thermal comfort and reduce the incidence of global warming calls for a better understanding and application of passive design strategies and the use of climate-sensitive designs. This study is an assessment of the thermal comfort in the Silver Hostel of the University of Abuja as a case study. Hostel design is an important aspect to be considered by many as it influences the health and productivity of the occupants. Health symptoms like fatigue, headache, tiredness, and aggressiveness are common scenarios faced by occupants due to bad thermal comfort conditions. As a result, it will affect the academic performance of the students as much time is spent in hostel rooms and clinics rather than lecture halls. The objectives are as follows: (I) to describe the physical characteristics of the hostel spaces, (II) to analyze the thermal comfort level in the hostel based on an objective and subjective evaluation, (III) to determine the relationship between the physical characteristics of the spaces and both objective and subjective analysis of the thermal comfort level. The data analysis and findings gathered are vital as they serve as key elements to understand the thermal environment condition in the hostel. The study also proposed modifications that can be implemented to reduce the thermal discomfort as well as improve the living conditions of students in Silver Hostel.

 

CHAPTER ONE 

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Thermal comfort is often related to the condition of an individual’s mind which expresses satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the thermal environment. Man has, for the most part, strived to create a thermally comfortable environment. This is reflected in building traditions around the world – from ancient history to the present day. A healthy and comfortable thermal environment of indoor spaces helps the users/ occupants to improve their work efficiency by maintaining various comfort-related parameters within the desired range. (Shanu, 2010).

In the Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction by Nikolas & Erkki, (2008), a hostel is described as an establishment that provides cheap lodging and food for travelers, a place of residence for students, etc. Hostel is an English word, which means an inn or a boarding house for students. In a broader sense, a hostel is a place where workers, youth, old or people of the same occupation or same school of thought can reside. Usually, it is difficult to manage the problems of residence in a distant city from home for students. In such situations, hostels are considered to be the best solution. Higher educational institutions provide generally hostel accommodation. (Brother et al, 1971)

Thermal comfort is considered to be a principal requirement that is usually demanded by occupants of accommodation units such as school hostels. A compatible indoor climate design is a modification of the external environment system and is designed to provide comfort for occupants. Thermal comfort in hostel design is an important aspect to be considered by many as it influences the health and productivity of the students. Karimipanah. T (2007) stated that “Good thermal comfort and indoor air quality can actually have a positive impact not just on students’ health but can also improve learning”.

Thermal comfort varies across climatic zones and as a result, hostels and other buildings should be designed about the climatic zone. It is the role of the architect to understand and design buildings with minimum cooling loads (artificial ventilation) while also providing thermal comfort for the building’s occupants. Unfortunately, there is disregard, especially in Nigeria, where builders and designers do not pay attention to the thermal performance of their buildings, despite all existing knowledge about design strategies that provide a thermally comfortable environment in the building. In light of the above, the project seeks to assess thermal comfort in the University of Abuja Silver Hostel. HEAT INDEX AND THERMAL COMFORT

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

The concept of thermal comfort, though theoretically understood, appears to pose a challenge in terms of its implementation in design.  This is more so because of the complexity of establishing a common ground answer when carrying out subjective evaluation. For accommodation building typology, as in hostels, the issue of maintaining an optimum level of thermal comfort is crucial. One of the basic objectives in designing buildings is to ensure the thermal comfort of its occupants.

Thermal comfort is crucial because it influences productivity and health as thermal discomfort has also been known to lead to sick building syndrome (SBS). To face climate problems, architectural parameters such as building orientation, window opening, roof shape, building performance, and vegetation planning must be considered seriously. Climate modification is also effective in obtaining optimal temperatures in buildings. (Prianto et al, 2000)

 

1.3       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions will be answered during this study.

1. What are the physical characteristics of the Silver hostel spaces?
2. What are the thermal comfort levels in the hostel in terms of objective and subjective evaluation?
3. What is the relationship between the physical characteristics of the spaces and the objective and subjective evaluation?

 

1.4       RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Given the importance of thermal comfort in hostels, the research aim and objectives are stated below.

Aim

The study aims to assess the thermal comfort level at the University of Abuja

Silver hostel and provide modifications suitable for future designs.

 

Objectives of the study

The objectives of the study are to:

1. Describe the physical characteristics of the hostel spaces
2. Analyze the thermal comfort level in the hostel based on an objective and subjective evaluation.
3. Determine the relationship between the physical characteristics of the spaces and both objective and subjective analysis of the thermal comfort level

 

1.5       JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

The outcome of this study is expected to show the relationship between the tropical climate and tropical buildings; the effect of the climate on the building orientation and building components and how the configuration of the building, building materials, and landscape can be used to achieve maximum thermal comfort in the building. The importance of this study draws on the need for thermal comfort by the hostel’s occupants. It will identify the problems causing poor thermal comfort. The research will help improve the said problems identified. It will pave the way for the school management to take effective steps in providing better residential facilities for the students. It would also help the author of this study in acquiring knowledge that will be useful in practice. The Silver Hostel was chosen because it is the most populated hostel. It is also more accessible to the author unlike the male hostels and finally, it is neither the oldest nor the newest of all the hostels on campus which makes it the right choice because using the newly built hostel (completed in 2014) might make the research one-sided as it has not been occupied by the same people for as long as needed. Thermal comfort studies are usually carried out in buildings that are permanent, or semi-permanent, occupied by the same people, such as dwellings, offices, and classrooms. (Karyono et al, 2015)

 

1.6       SCOPE OF STUDY

There are three hostels on campus (main hall, annex, and silver hostel). The main hall and annex are among the oldest halls of residence in the school as they were built to accommodate the first set of university students who attended the school when it was still sharing the same compound with The Bells Secondary School before its relocation. The study is mainly focused on the thermal comfort in Silver hostel which is a 2- 2-storey hall of residence completed in 2011 due to the increase in students. The research involves the distribution of questionnaires to the students in the Silver hostel at the University of Abuja to determine their perception and level of comfort in their thermal environment, the overall analysis of the hostel including its orientation, the thermal mass of the hostel i.e. the roof, the walls, ceiling and floor material, the windows (fenestration), size of the room about the number of occupants and the surrounding landscape.

 

1.7       LIMITATION(S) OF STUDY

This study was mostly geared towards architectural solutions: the parameters for experimental tests were limited due to a lack of necessary equipment such as a data logger, dry and wet bulb thermometer, globe thermometer, etc. There was a limited time frame. Getting the attention of students in filling out the questionnaires was also a hindrance. Due to the inability to take the whole population of Silver hall, a random selection of students from different floors and wings was utilized in the distribution of the questionnaires. Some questionnaires could not be retrieved and used for this study as they were either left blank or damaged.

 

1.8       STUDY AREA

The research is specifically concerned with the thermal comfort in student hostels in

Nigeria. University of Abuja. HEAT INDEX AND THERMAL COMFORT

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