Assessing The Impact of Natural Ventilation on Thermal Comfort in Public Healthcare Facilities in Adama

Abstract

In Regions Like Adama, Ethiopia, Where Active Cooling Facilities Are Few, Natural Ventilation Hospital Building Design Is Crucial For Thermal Comfort. The Study Explains How The Indoor Thermal Environment Of Public Health Buildings Is Affected By Design Parameters?�?Window Orientation, Ventilation Strategies, Internal Layout, And Window-To-Floor Ratios. Due To The Vulnerability Of The Occupants Of The Hospital, I.E., Healthcare Staff And Patients, Research Highlights The Contribution Of Passive Design In Maintaining Environmental Quality And Human Well-Being. A Mixed-Methods Approach Was Used, Combining On-Site Environmental Measurement, Architectural Survey, And Occupant Surveys. The Measurements Of Temperature, Relative Humidity, And Air Velocity Were Made At Different Times Of The Day To Capture Diurnal Cycles, And Architectural Features Were Compared With Planned Prototype Designs By GTZ And The Federal Ministry Of Health. Special Studies Were Conducted On Maternity And Inpatient Wards Considering Important Factors Such As Exposure Of Windows, Openness Of Corridors, Ceiling Height, And Potential For Cross-Ventilation. Occupant Surveys Provided Data On Thermal Sensation, Perceived Air Quality, And Window-Use Behavior. Results Indicated A Clear Relationship Between Design And Thermal Comfort: East- Or West-Facing Window Zones Were Warmer, Especially In Midday Sun; Cross-Ventilation Zones Were Significantly Cooler; And Window-To-Floor Area Ratio Less Than 0.2 Zones Were Significantly Less Comfortable. The Study Rated The Buildings According To Their Natural Ventilation Efficiency And Identified Weak And Strong Points In Their Design. In General, The Study Illustrates That Simple Yet Effective Passive Design Principles Such As Maximizing Open Window Openings, Openings' Location With Respect To Prevailing Winds, And Provision For Cross-Ventilation Can Greatly Contribute To Thermal Comfort In Semi-Arid Health Environments. These Findings Offer Useful Lessons For Retrofitting Current Buildings And Creating Tomorrow's Climate-Responsive, Sustainable Health Buildings.