Thermal Environment Assessment in a High School During Winter

Details

• Personal Author:
  Akbar-Khanzadeh F ; Ames A ; Bourland D ; Doerr A ; Heldt G ; Milz S ; Moreer H ; Scardina J ; Sigler V ; Valigosky M
• Description:
  Objective: Most of the limited thermal environment studies in high-schools have been either performed in hot climates, old buildings or in a single area within the building. Our study assessed thermal environment in multiple functional areas of a high-school (built in 2008) during winter in Northwest Ohio with a temperate climate. Methods: An area heat stress monitor was used to determine the dry bulb temperature, natural wet bulb temperature, globe temperature and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT); a sling psychrometer was used to measure relative humidity; an air velocity meter was used to determine the levels of non-directional air movements; and atmospheric pressure data were obtained from National Weather Service. The most visited and occupied areas in the school (science classroom, hallway, art room, gymnasium, cafeteria and outside by the main entrance door) were studied three days a week for four weeks Data were collected every two hours. Results: The ambient temperature indoors (n = 42 in each location) was remained fairly constant with the mean ranging from 22.0oC in the gymnasium to 22.9oC in the hallway. The mean outside temperature (n = 24) was 4.4oC. The indoor WBGT also remained constant with the mean ranging from 15.7oC in the gymnasium to 16.3oC in the art room, with mean outside WBGT of 7.8oC. The mean relative humidity indoors ranged from 32.1 percent in the cafeteria to 35.2 percent in the hallway, with a mean of 76.5 percent measured outside. The mean air movement indoors ranged from 0.01 m/s in the science classroom to 0.06 m/s in the gymnasium, while in outside it measured 2.5 m/s. Conclusions: The results indicated that ambient temperature was generally well within the recommended limits for winter (20 - 23oC), except outside which was considered cold. Relative humidity in the cafeteria and hallway was low on some days compared to the recommended limits (30 percent - 60 percent). Air movement indoors was relatively consistent showing no breeze (< 0.2 m/s); the necessary air movement for comfort is 1- 2 m/s. Overall, the thermal environment was acceptable indoors though it was winter season and cold outside. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollution Air Pollution, Indoor Humidity Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Air Quality Measurement IAQ Indoor Air Quality Indoor Environments Temperature Measurement Thermal Properties
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  20-21
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054444
• Citation:
  AIHce 2014: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 31 - June 5, 2014, San Antonio, Texas. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2014 Jun; :20-21
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• Performing Organization:
  University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Ohio
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  AIHce 2014: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 31 - June 5, 2014, San Antonio, Texas
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:eed7157a188201179461c08ecef0097ef777a99fcb021b91e8c2cfd2d4181d99631c862618271ee27c422fb50ecf7c098e37aee4cb033c109d0fd26cd0b1da9d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217010/cdc_217010_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 290.19 KB ]