Evaluating the Perception of Ventilation for Thermal Comfort in Senate Buildings: A Case of Nigeria Universities

Window condition is one of the major factors of ventilation in office buildings. The study aimed at evaluating the natural ventilation in Senate buildings of selected Universities in South-West Nigeria. The study employed the use of questionnaires survey to solicit information on subjective feelings of the occupants on the effects of thermal opening and thermal comfort in Senate buildings offices. Direct observation was carried out to obtain information on the physical characteristics of the selected buildings. Limited research has been recorded on the study of occupants’ feelings in buildings in relation to openings in buildings. Based on the survey results, it was found that 34.0% of the windows were casement type, 30.0 % were projected 25.5% were sliding; while 9.5% were the louvred type. The study showed that 73.8% of the respondents preferred the casement window type because of its easiness in operation to other window types and improved thermal comfort on occupants. The study concluded that with adequate sizes, casement window type is the best in ameliorating the effect of thermal discomfort in Senate Buildings.