Thermal comfort problems in teaching-learning lecture theatres in the tropics: need to establish design criteria

摘要

The study was to establish thermal comfort problems and the need to establish design criteria for thermal comfort in teaching-lecture theatres in the tropics. The formulation of design criteria depends on various factors such as seating capacity, coverage area of door and window openings on the external walls required for ventilation, the combination of the temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity required for thermal comfort, materials for the construction of the building walls and roofs. The study selected three lecture theatres used for teaching large classes for students in various disciplines offering common courses at the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria located in the tropical humid climate The results of the analysis with the various indicators: hall size, humid, arid and cold indicators as well as parameters for thermal performance revealed that the lecture theatres do not meet the thermal performance requirements. Prominent among them were the seating capacity of the space, high temperature and relative humidity, low wind velocity recorded, the orientation, spacing for breeze penetration, size and position of openings. The findings were discussed and recommendations proffered were that the construction of lecture theatres should conform to design criteria to assure thermal comfort.