Assessment of Thermal Comfort in Selected Female Hostels at Gidan Kwano, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria.

Abstract

The construction and operation of hostel buildings in Nigerian tertiary institutions often overlook thermal comfort, a critical factor influencing occupant health, productivity, and overall sustainability. This study is aimed to assessed the thermal comfort in selected female hostels at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. A quantitative, descriptive research design was adopted. Data were collected using AirVisual Pro, a high-accuracy monitoring device that measured indoor temperature and relative humidity across three hostel categories, A (6 occupants/room), B (4 occupants/room), and C (2 occupants/room) within the Gidan-Kwano campus for three months. Measurements were analyzed using descriptive statistics, graphs chart analysis (ASHRAE Standard 55 and CIBSE Guide A benchmarks). Diurnal variations were examined descriptively through hourly mean pattern analysis. Findings revealed that while mean indoor temperatures in most hostel rooms fell within or marginally above the ASHRAE comfort range of 22°C–26°C, relative humidity consistently exceeded recommended limits. Specifically, mean relative humidity values were 83.4%, and 82.2% for Categories A and B respectively surpassed the ASHRAE and CIBSE standard while category C with relative humidity value of 63.6% was within the standard comfort zone of 40–70%. The study concludes that hostel indoor environments require urgent intervention to align with global thermal comfort standards. The study recommends integrating mechanical ventilation, dehumidification systems, and climate-responsive design strategies, alongside occupant education and regular environmental monitoring. These findings provide empirical evidence for improving thermal comfort and advancing sustainable building management in institutional housing.