Evaluation of Thermal Comfort Conditions in Public Hospitals in Enugu State Using Physical Measurements

Thermal comfort in hospital wards and outpatient waiting areas is a critical component of patient recovery environment and health worker productivity. In Nigerian public hospitals without mechanical air conditioning, indoor thermal conditions are governed by natural ventilation, building orientation, and ambient temperature, often resulting in uncomfortable conditions for vulnerable patients. This study evaluates thermal comfort conditions in six public hospitals across Enugu State using physical measurements of air temperature, radiant temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity. A thermal comfort meter providing direct measurement of operative temperature, Predicted Mean Vote, and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied is deployed in general wards, outpatient clinics, and emergency rooms. Measurements are taken at three periods per day during the hot dry season (March to April) and the rainy season (June to August). Results indicate Predicted Mean Vote values of plus 1.8 to plus 2.7 in wards during peak afternoon hours in the dry season, classifying conditions as warm to hot on the ASHRAE 55 comfort scale. Only 34 percent of ward measurement periods fall within the ISO 7730 comfort zone. Ventilation improvements through additional louvre windows are modelled to reduce PMV below 1.0 in 70 percent of cases. Keywords: thermal comfort, hospital, Enugu State, Predicted Mean Vote, natural ventilation