Journal of Engineering and Architecture

Investigation of Thermal Environments in Humid Tropical Classroom in Indonesia
Jefrey I. Kindangen

Abstract
Thermal comfort is one of the influencing factors in increasing concentration in teaching and learning process. This study has assessed the comfort level and differences in thermal sensations and preferences between male and female college students in a classroom in the humid tropical climate of Indonesia. The classroom was designed to operate to the extent possible using natural ventilation and daylight as passive techniques. The study was conducted by distributing questionnaires for 182 students to ascertain the thermal perceptions and preferences at different times and under varying conditions (including whether a ceiling fan was used) and by measuring air temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity in the classroom. The results suggest that noon and afternoon are both critical times that tend to have lower thermal comfort levels. At these times when a fan was not used, there were over 70% of students expressed discomfort; more males reported feeling uncomfortable than females. However, at noon with quite a high temperature, the effects of using ceiling fan are not able to increase significantly level of thermal comfort, but in the afternoon the use of the fan was instrumental in increasing the percentage of people feel comfortable. The PMV and PPD indices have been compared to the results of students’ thermal perception analysis and noted that these indices are very sensitive to airflow parameter.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jea.v5n1a1