Evaluating neutral, preferred and comfort range temperatures and computing adaptive equation for Kano region

Provisions of international comfort standards may not be appropriate for all climates, it is therefore imperative to evaluate comfort requirements of indoor occupants in all regions, particularly where comprehensive standards are lacking. As part of an ongoing study on comfort in higher education facilities in Kano, involving lecture theatres and laboratories, an Indoor Environmental Quality field study was conducted by collecting a total of 1382 questionnaires in addition to physical measurements, covering a period of 10 months. In addition to measurements of air speed, air and radiant temperatures, relative humidity, a comfort survey was undertaken where activity levels and clothing insulations were obtained. Two neutral temperatures were arrived at based on operative and indoor running mean temperatures, 27.4 °C and 28.1 °C respectively. Similarly a comfort zone of 22 °C to 32 °C was realised. The results revealed that the adaptive equation using the weighted running mean outdoor air temperature had the highest coefficient of determination, with regression coefficient of 0.6, which is nearly twice those of ASHRAE 55 and EN 15251. The evaluated neutral and preferred temperatures show that subjects are comfortable even at 32 °C in naturally ventilated buildings in Kano region.