Upper Limit of Acceptable Temperature for Children in Naturally Ventilated Classrooms in Warm Humid Climate in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fieldwork took place in naturally ventilated public primary schools in Imo State, Nigeria to find the upper limit of acceptable temperature. The period of the survey was from October 2017 to May 2018, where objective and subjective data were collected. Results of the fieldwork of the 330 surveyed children (aged 7-12 years) revealed that the upper limit temperature derived from their responses corresponding to mean thermal sensations of +0.85 is 31.6oC for the combined classrooms. This is about 4.9oC higher than the ASHRAE upper 80% acceptability limit. Furthermore, the maximum temperature acceptable by the studied children was found to be higher than the ASHRAE upper limit. The study shows that respondents in a tropical country, such as in Nigeria, can be comfortable at high temperatures. Information about the heat tolerance of primary school children is important as that may guide professionals in the building industry to achieve eco-friendly and sustainable classrooms that use less energy and at the same time provide thermal comfort to the occupants.