Thermal comfort and air movement preference in some classrooms in Cameroun

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the relationship between air movement preference and thermal comfort in 30 naturally ventilates classrooms in 6 schools in the central region of Cameroon. This study was conducted during 2 seasons (the dry and the rainy seasons). An adaptive approach was employed, in accordance with ASHRAE 55/2004, ISO 7730 and ISO 10551. The questionnaires were given while wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity and CO2 were measured simultaneously in rooms. A total of 1545 questionnaires were distributed in these different schools. Results show that 57.62% of voters found their environment tolerable. Results obtained after the analysis of questionnaires did not always match with results obtained through physical measure. Air preference varied according to each individual and place of study. Generally, during the two seasons, 75% of occupants wanted to have more air movement in their places. It was suggested that the increase in air velocity in schools is an essential phenomenon in obtaining thermal comfort environment.

Keywords

• classroom
• thermal comfort
• air preference