Thermal Comfort in Naturally Ventilated Classroom: A Literature Review

Abstract

A phenomenon of global climate change and global warming led to an increase of study on indoor thermal comfort as it causes an increase in air temperature in both outdoor and indoor environments. Thermal comfort of indoor condition had a significant impact on occupants' performance, especially in the educational building. The impact is more crucial in a natural ventilated building as it is influenced by both outdoor and indoor condition. This paper presents an overview of a study on thermal comfort over the past ten years in the classroom that use the passive ventilation system. The study is divided into two sections; the first reviews the variables that are measured to determine thermal comfort and the second section reviews the other factors that could influence the thermal comfort. The factors that have been reviewed include climatic condition, design of ventilation system of the building, building envelope design and occupants behaviour that had influence the thermal comfort in the building, hence influenced the occupants' performance. Most of the studies had found that the occupants were dissatisfied with the indoor environment and the results of the studies found that thermal comfort is not in the comfort range, as stated in the standards. The ventilation factor has been highlighted in most studies to be the crucial factor that influences the indoor environment and thus influence the thermal comfort of the building.

Thermal Comfort in a Tropical Climate: Case Study of the Cafeteria in Student Residential College, UTHM Pagoh Branch Campus

“…Perubahan iklim dan pemanasan global adalah isu yang memberi kesan kepada manusia di seluruh dunia pada masa kini dan juga kepada generasi akan datang. Salah satu impaknya ialah fenomena kenaikan suhu udara dunia yang mengakibatkan berlakunya ketidakselesaan persekitaran udara dalaman [1]. Pada masa kini, mewujudkan persekitaran yang selesa dari segi terma masih salah satu parameter yang paling penting untuk dititikberatkan semasa mereka bentuk bangunan.…”

Examining thermal comfort levels and ASHRAE Standard-55 applicability: A case study of free-running classrooms in Abuja, Nigeria

“…The result indicated that both schools surpassed the range of comfort values at peak periods. Recently, most of the research on thermal comfort in classrooms was compiled and categorized in three extensive studies by Singh et al, 20 Mohamad, Ismail and Md Ajis, 34 and Zomorodian, Tahsildoost and Hafezi. 14 Most of these studies found that the temperature ranges students liked were outside what is usually considered acceptable by ASH-RAE Standard-55.…”

“…35 Researchers conclude that children may perceive comfort differently from adults because of the significant differences in age, activity and metabolic rates between the two groups. 14,20,34 Additionally, a comfort temperature assessment performed in one region geographically cannot be generalized due to variations in culture, building types and climates. 7,20 Considering the above information, the objective of this study is to evaluate students' thermal comfort in naturally ventilated classrooms in the tropical savanna climate and to certify compliance with ASHRAE Standard-55.…”

“…35 Researchers conclude that children may perceive comfort differently from adults because of the significant differences in age, activity and metabolic rates between the two groups. 14,20,34 Additionally, a comfort temperature assessment performed in one region geographically cannot be generalized due to variations in culture, building types and climates. 7,20…”