Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) assessment of Nigerian university libraries: A pilot study

Abstract

An indoor environmental quality (IEQ) assessment of academic libraries in Nigeria was conducted through objective measurements. The selected university libraries were Abubakar Gimba Library; Awwal Ibrahim Library; and Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Library Complex. The libraries were evaluated under operating conditions and during their peak usage periods. Measurements of the main descriptors of good IEQ, including the acoustical, visual, and thermal comfort conditions were performed using portable IEQ meters. The methodology employed for the assessment of these IEQ descriptors followed prescriptions of international standards ASHRAE standard 55 and ISO 7730. To determine the time of the day in which the library buildings can achieve optimum IEQ, measurements were taken in the morning and afternoon. The results obtained were compared with reference values found in the international Standard CIBSE Guide A for adequate IEQ compliance of academic libraries. The findings of this study are expected to help in improving the IEQ of academic libraries in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

Keywords

• Comfort conditions
• Illuminance
• Indoor environmental quality
• Nigerian university libraries
• Noise level
• Thermal comfort