Investigation of Indoor Thermal Perceptions and Comfort Temperature in Educational Spaces in Qatar

Abstract

We conducted thermal comfort field surveys in female educational spaces in Qatar in the autumn and winter of 2018 and 2020 – 21 and collected 324 datasets. They contained all the four environmental measurements and simultaneous thermal responses of female university students dressed in traditional Islamic clothing consisting of headgears and full-body cloaks (abayas) (mean clothing: 1.21 clo). Exacerbating the occupant discomfort, classrooms are overcooled/overheated in autumn/winter, respectively. About 89.9% respondents had no access to indoor temperature control and 43.5% had no access to any environmental controls. We evaluated the mean indoor comfort temperature as 22.9 (3.1) ˚C. In 64.2% cases, it did not conform to the comfort zone in international standards. We noted significant seasonal differences in indoor environments. Air speed was zero most of the time. Only 53.8% felt comfortable thermal sensations, and 66% accepted the environments, as against 80% in the international standards. The predicted mean vote (PMV) was significantly inaccurate up to three scale points and in 86.4% cases PMV mis-predicted by half a scale point or more. Therefore, framing the narrative around user-controlled air movement and indoor controls is necessary, so that indoor temperature can be effectively increased in autumn and lowered in winter.