Influence of building attributes on thermal comfort in naturally ventilated hospital wards in the hot-humid tropics of southeast Nigeria
International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation
ISSN: 2398-4708
Article publication date: 23 October 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate the influence of building design on the thermal comfort of occupants of naturally ventilated hospital (NVH) wards to identify the aspects with the most significant influence on the thermal comfort of hospital buildings during the hot-dry season in the hot-humid tropics of Southeast Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
Field measurements, physical observations and a questionnaire survey of 60 occupants of the wards of the Joint Presbyterian Hospital, Uburu in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were undertaken. The data were analysed using Humphreys' neutral temperature formula, descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that the neutral temperature for the wards ranges from 26.2 °C to 29.9 °C, the thermal condition in the wards was not comfortable because it failed to meet the ASHRAE Standard 55 as only 65% of the occupants said the thermal condition was acceptable. The number and sizes of windows, building orientation, the presence of high-level windows and higher headroom significantly influenced the occupants' thermal comfort vote.
Practical implications
This research is valuable in estimating comfort temperature and identifying aspects that require attention in enhancing the capacity of NVH wards to effectively meet the thermal comfort needs of occupants in the hot-humid tropics of Southeast Nigeria and other regions that share similar climatic conditions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of this nature that provides valuable feedback for building design professionals on the performance of existing hospital buildings in meeting users' thermal comfort needs in the hot-dry season of the hot-humid tropics in Southeast Nigeria.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to the Hospital Superintendent who graciously granted permission for the survey and the two Staff Nurses who assisted with the data collection process. The authors also acknowledge the Patients and Visitors who despite their health conditions and time to attend to the needs of their sick loved ones, respectively, participated in the research.
Citation
Uzuegbunam, F.O., Aja, F.N. and Ibem, E.O. (2023), "Influence of building attributes on thermal comfort in naturally ventilated hospital wards in the hot-humid tropics of southeast Nigeria", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-12-2022-0189
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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