Contribution of some Design Features to the Indoor Air Temperature of Naturally Ventilated Classrooms in Public Schools of Minna,Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Thousands of prototypical classrooms have been built as part of the Universal Basic Education programme for public schools in all the 36 states of Nigeria. However there seems to be no study that has examined the contributions of the design features of these classrooms to the indoor air temperature. In view of this, the present study examined the potential contribution of some key design features to the indoor air temperature of naturally ventilated classrooms of 11public schools in Minna. Minna is the capital city of one of the 36 states in Nigeria. The study involved literature review into how design features contributes to the indoor air temperature of naturally ventilated buildings in the tropics .Following the literature review, a series of physical surveys were conducted in which the data concerning some design features were collected. The data collected relates to the followings: orientation, plant, shading devices, colour of walls, depth to height ration, floor to ceiling height, windows, thermal mass and thermal and thermal resistance, thermal load from occupancy and equipment. The physical surveys were carried out between March-April 2017.Analysis of data from the physical surveys suggest that some design features can contribute in promoting high indoor air temperature in the classrooms of public schools in Minna. Lastly, based on the findings from this study, recommendations that aims to reduce high temperature in NV classrooms were suggested for public schools in Nigeria, this because public schools have similar classroom design across the country.