Applied Climatology (Arc 810)

Mtech 1 Architecture.

Department of Architecture

School Of Environmental Technology

Federal University of Technology Akure.

Oriyomi Kehinde Arc/03/1542

Lecturer: Prof. Ogunsote

September, 2011

Question no:

50

Topic.

Ventilation requirements in Standard University Lecture Theatres:

A case study of the small lecture theatre, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Ventilation is the intentional movement of air from outside a building to the inside.Ventilation includes both the exchange of air to the outside as well as circulation of air within the building. It is one of the most important factors for maintaining acceptable indoor air quality in buildings.

In a whole-building ventilation system, the stale indoor air must be exhausted directly to the outside. Dumping exhaust air into an attic or other internal space can have dire consequences when warm, humid air hits a surface cold enough that condensation forms, increasing the likelihood that mold growth and structural damage may occur.

Regardless of location, there must be sufficient ventilation (air flow) to preventTemperature rise.

This write up focuses on the required Ventilation in standard University Lecture Theatres

It states the means of achieving adequate ventilation in standard higher institution of learning

2.0 VENTILATION REQUIRMENTS

Ventilation requirement refers to the effective exchange of air flow that is required to attain the desired comfort level in the supply of fresh air for body cooling.

addition to the minimum ventilation requirements, the continuous ventilation system should have at least 100 percent additional capacity to allow the occupants to select the fresh-air delivery rate that best suits their needs

Ventilation through building is achieved through

Stack effect, Air movement induced by wind pressure and mechanical means and factors such as external features, number of size of openings, position of openings and openings components affect ventilation through buildings.

Ventilation around buildings is also affected by shape, height, orientation and planning of building, wind pressure and suction effect of other buildings and wind shadow effects.

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3.0 CASE STUDY

(The Small Lecture Theatre, Federal University of Technology, Akure)

This Lecture theatre stands amongst other buildings in Obanla in the Federal University of Technology Akure (F.U.T.A) Ondo state Nigeria

3.1 LOCATION. The small lecture theatre is located at Obanla as popularly called in (F.U.T.A)

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3.2 CAPACITY. The small lecture theatre has a seating provision for 154 students with thorough viewing.

3.3 OPENING. The lecture theatre has window openings at opposite ends each having the window stepped with the slope of the lecture hall. Door openings provided are also at opposite ends.

3.4 MECHANICAL VENTILATION ELEMENTSIn addition to the windows, ceiling fans were mounted for exchange of air movement

3.5 ORIENTATION. The small lecture theatre orientation is perpendicular to the S.E.E.T building and the 750 capacity E.T.F Lecture theatre

3.6 ADJOINING PROPERTIES.

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The ‘’small’’ lecture theatre has the ‘’ big’’ lecture theatre to one side and an existing road with

parking lots to the other side, a covered walk-way in between the small and the big lecture

theatre. Soft and hard landscaping elements at the northern side of the lecture theatre, trees,

grassed lawn, walkways are the dominant landscaping elements.

4.0 VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS IN STANDARD UNIVERSITY

LECTURE THEATRES. This is meant to be the bearable and comfortable air flow which is

needed for a satisfactory comfort for the intended number of occupants in standard university

lecture theatre. Ventilation requirement is achieved by various deciding factors especially in

standard university settings where provision of this requirement is inevitable.

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4.1 SMALL LECTURE THEATRE VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS

ANALYSES.

Regarding comfort to be provided in standard university lecture theatres, various contributing

elements shall be evaluated against its area of use. The case study of the small lecture theatre

of the federal university of technology Akure (F.U.T.A) shall form the basis of the analyses.

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4.1.1 ORIENTATION;

For adequate air flow and such which remains undisturbed by the provided structural features

and elements, orientation forms one of the very essential components contributing to proper

air flow. A properly oriented building, which is set out to maximize air flow through a building

structure has a lot of impact on the ventilation. Buildings orientation, accommodating the

windward air flow by the provision of window openings to allow this will aid proper ventilation.

In addition to this, the leeward side of the building too should be provided with adequate

window size opening for easy exchange.

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ANALYSIS

Viewing the orientation of the Small Lecture Theatre in relation to the circulation effectiveness,

it could be noted that air circulation through the lecture theatre is inadequate. A better

orientation is required to make this Lecture Theatre more effective in ventilation as it is evident

that the theatre suffers adequate ventilation, better planning will boost the ventilation needed

in standard university lecture theatre such as this. The provided option of orientation above

shows a better flow of air, thereby increasing ventilation

4.1.2 WINDOW OPENINGS AND LOCATION:

It is of utmost importance to have wide window openings for adequate ventilation. The wider

these are, the more the air flow. Considerably, bigger sizes are more appropriate on the

leeward side of the building. Stating also that bigger window sizes would be preferable for the

purpose of adequate ventilation as it gives way for used air to have its exit.

ANALYSIS

The window openings in the Lecture Theatre of this case study reveals that increase in number

and size would have provided more comfort and such ventilation required could have been

better achieved in a standard university system.

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4.1.3 LAYOUT AND PROXIMITY:

The general setting out of buildings in relation to others, play prominent roles in ventilation.

Buildings set out on the Master plan with adequate spacing and in technical order enhance

ventilation as air flow pattern around the buildings remain undisturbed.

ANALYSIS

The general layout of this small lecture theatre and the immediate properties justify the

noticeable movement of air around the Lecture theatre, ample spacing is noticed and adjoining

properties give considerable opportunity for air flow even though the other Lecture Theatre

(Big) could have been sited a bit farther. Other building structures are well spaced out

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4.1.4 SURROUNDING LANDSCAPING ELEMENTS:

Adequate ventilation is promoted where the surrounding environment allows for such. Soft

landscaping elements in the surrounding like grassed lawn, shrubs / hedges provide cooler air

than a bare ground and paved areas that conduct heat and raises the solar radiation and

consequently heat gain in the environment. Surrounding landscaping is also responsible for the

type of small evolving, be it a pleasant or an unpleasant one

ANALYSIS

The small Lecture Theatre surrounding gives picture so desirable and a workable one needed in

providing the ventilation required in a standard University Lecture Theatre. The Landscaping

elements such as the grassed lawn, shrubs and trees around give a good view and also aid the

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coolness of air around the Lecture Theatre. This comfort level of ventilation is well observed

under the provided walk-way around the Lecture Theatre

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4.1.5 MECHANICAL ELEMENTS:

Buildings may require a boost in the ventilation in its interior, as such, the use of the

mechanical means to improve the stack effect cannot be set apart. This further increases air

speed and help in timely exchange of air within the building.

ANALYSIS

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Relating the effects of the mechanical means in increasing the air flow of the small Lecture

Theatre, it shows from findings that the mechanical means is relied upon majorly to provide a

rescue which still has its limitation though, but it remains the very important option for the

exchange of air quality. Such ventilation requirements needed in a standard University Lecture

Theatres could be in question for the reliance on this means which could have just been to

complement and not to be major focus of reliance in bringing comfort to the intended users.

Grade/students 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

excellent

v.good

good • • • • •

fair • • • • • • •

poor • • • • •

v.poor • • •

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CONCLUSION

For effective ventilation to be achieved, it is of great importance to harmonize these analyses

and incorporate appropriate measures for its maximum utilization. The basic fact which result

from the orientation requires that proper one be done to pave ways for other features

responsible for adequate ventilation requirements. This will enable the window openings /

location to be effective, as its usefulness is largely dependent on proper orientation which also

contributes to the general layout and proximity determining pattern of air flow and speed. The

surrounding landscaping elements determine the air temperature / quality around the building,

which in turn determines the temperature/quality within. Very cool outside air will improve the

coolness of internal air of the building by stack effect

Ventilation Rating as summarized in the table provided from research carried out on ventilation

of the Small Lecture Theatre reveals that there is discomfort in the usage of the hall as just one-

quarter of students contacted gave good level of ventilation. Even though the lecture theatre

displays a satisfactory level of aesthetics, ventilation remains an issue to file out.

Mechanical use of fan is not meant to be the major means of achieving the required ventilation

as this will provide the needed comfort as the case in the small Lecture Theatre where it has to

be the final resolution for improving the ventilation. Conclusively, every benefit of each

components has to be proportionally harnessed to attain the comfort level that is contributing

to the ventilation requirements in standard university lecture theatre.

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