Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background and objectives: Thermal comfort is very essential for a comfortable stay in any indoor space. Comfort conditions of indoor spaces are influenced by parameters like air movement, humidity, air temperature, etc. The aim of this research is to assess the air movement preferences by the occupants in classrooms of the selected higher education institutes in hot humid climate of India. Methods/statistical analysis: Surveys were conducted in all the three seasons of the year as per ASHRAE standard procedures. Environmental variables were measured in classrooms while questionnaires were distributed to the occupants simultaneously. A total of 361 students were surveyed with 1444 data sets for the whole year. Findings: Outdoor (T_out) temperatures were recorded and regression analysis has been done to find the relationship between the mean outdoor temperatures with the indoor operative temperatures (T_op) recorded. The acceptance of air movement in classrooms during summer is 10–15.4%, in moderate season it is 5.6–30% and during winter it is up to 58%. Improvements/application: This study enables to understand the influence of air movement preference on occupant’s thermal comfort in classrooms of hot and humid climate of India. This will help in creating a comfortable environment in classrooms of higher education through placement and designing of openings for increased air movement thereby improving the thermal comfort conditions. This research assessed the movement of air in the classrooms of higher education and the occupants air movement preference for thermal comfort. This study is a starting point for the adaptive thermal comfort research in hot and humid climate of Vijayawada region. 
Keywords: Thermal Comfort, Air Movement Preference, Naturally Ventilated Classrooms, Environmental Factors