Thermal Comfort Assessment of Secondary School Classes In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Global warming causes rapid temperature and precipitation variations, with El Niño being a prolonged cycle of this phenomenon. In Malaysia, over 250 schools closed due to extreme heat waves caused by El Niño. This study monitored the thermal comfort of classrooms at National High School Bukit Jalil and National High School Taman Yarl in Kuala Lumpur, selected for their typical design, orientation, and floor levels. The study aimed to evaluate indoor environmental conditions in these classrooms based on ASHRAE Standard 55 and ISO EN 7730, assess students’ thermal comfort perceptions, and identify influencing factors.Objective assessments were conducted for six days in March 2016, from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, during lesson hours. Thermal comfort variables were measured using an HD32.2 Delta Ohm Data Logger to generate the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) model and calculate the Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) value. Analysis revealed that none of the classrooms met ASHRAE Standard 55 comfort conditions, with all classified as warm to hot on a 7-point ASHRAE scale. A questionnaire survey assessed students’ perceptions, showing that 80%-100% were dissatisfied. Key influencing factors included seating positions, clothing insulation, classroom floor levels, and orientation.