Effect of Physical Characteristics and Thermal Performance of Secondary School Built with Bricks on Adaptive Behaviour of Its Occupants

Abstract

The design and mode of construction of building affect its thermal behaviour and influence how the occupants respond to its internal conditions. This study examined physical characteristics and indoor environmental conditions of a secondary school built with bricks and assess adaptive behaviour of the occupants. A secondary school located in Ibadan Metropolis built with bricks was used as a case study. Data were collected with the aid of objective and subjective instruments. It was shown that the materials of construction; bricks, orientation, vegetation and nature of landscape of the school compound aided its thermal performance. The results showed that the mean values of indoor air temperature and relative humidity, 27.9⁰C to 31.4⁰C and 28.0% to 80.3% were more than the standard values of 26⁰C to 28⁰C and 30.0% to 70.0% respectively required for sedentary activity. It was shown that the three most ranked adaptive measures adopted by the occupants were the wearing of thick clothe during cold season, wearing of light clothe during hot period and full opening of doors with an index value of 4.16, 4.06 and 4.00 respectively. The least ranked adaptive behaviour was the act of moving out of the staffroom/classroom which has an index value of 2.36. The study recommended that proper consideration must be given to the relevance of passive features and materials of construction that will enhance occurrence of comfortable environmental conditions and also aid efficiency and productivity of the occupants indoor.

Keywords: School building, Occupants, Physical and design features, indoor environment condition, Adaptive measures.