Perception of thermal comfort and prediction of heat stress (PHS) due to heat gain in tropical university classrooms

Abstract

Comfortable indoor climate is anticipated in hot-humid tropical condition. University classrooms are such kind of space which quality can improve the occupant’s performance directly. Due to lack of their adaptation ability, like the fixed schedule of activities and clothing causes extra heat gain from the environment and make hazardous situation. In this research, we focused to find out the comfortable condition of university classrooms in Bangladesh. The field monitoring was conducted at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) during the hottest months in the country (April-July). The measurements included the basic thermal environmental parameters like air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), indoor air velocity (V), and indoor Light (L) during regular class time 9:00 to 17:00. Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) has been calculated using obtained data with a known metabolic rate and clothing. It is found that the skin temperature crosses 34°C frequently in PHS scale and creates health risk.