Study of Indoor Environmental Quality of Public-School Classrooms in Multan

We spend nearly 90% of our time indoors. The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) can affect our health and well-being. However, the topic is still new in the Pakistani context. The aim of this study is to evaluate classrooms of a public sector school in Multan in terms of IEQ. The study attempts to explore parameters of thermal comfort, visual (lighting) and acoustic comfort in classrooms with different orientations. During the study, the selected variables were measured through diverse techniques and methodologies. Exploration emphasized factors like poor ventilation, insufficient daylight, noise and noise pollution. It is very significant that educational institutions are secured and possess a safer environment. The research investigated three parameters with the help of data loggers and devices including a temperature meter, light meter and sound meter. Using these devices, readings were taken at multiple locations and times based on the observational criteria devised through the literature review. It mainly included the summer season, occupying different solar orientations for three different age groups of students. The methodology to access the school started with a physical observation survey and questionnaire with teachers and students in addition to scientific analysis through devices such as LUX meter, sound meter, temperature and humidity meters. A comparative study was done for assessing four classrooms at different orientations and concluded that the classroom on the east side possesses ideal indoor environmental quality in comparison to classrooms on the south, west and north side. It was concluded that poor indoor environmental quality of classrooms in public schools explored for the stated research was causing vulnerable effects on students’ health, their learning outcomes and efficiency, which lead to a higher rate of absenteeism amongst the students. This study further highlighted the unsatisfactory thermal comfort, insufficient daylight and acoustics measures in public school building classrooms. As part of the objectives of the study, design interventions were proposed to remodel the school in future and to achieve a maximum conducive environment for students in the same context.