Assessment of thermal comfort in a medium size mosque in hot climates

Purpose – Thermal comfort in high-occupancy buildings such as mosques, where many gather for worship, is crucial. This study aims to evaluate the effects of thermal comfort on occupants in hot climates and compare the results with acceptable standards. Design/methodology/approach – This study evaluated the thermal comfort of mosque occupants by measuring temperature, humidity and air velocity, and compared the experimental findings to acceptable standards. It included a psychosocial perception survey and analyzed Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) to ascertain the thermal comfort zone. Findings – The findings identified key factors impacting indoor thermal comfort for mosque worshippers, including air temperature, humidity and air velocity. The presence of draughts from split air conditioning units, particularly in the corners of the prayer hall, diminished thermal comfort by generating localized cold spots during worship sessions. Using the CBE thermal comfort tool, PMV and PPD values were calculated per ASHRAE and EN-16798 standards. PMV values of −1.27 and −1.12 indicate a “slightly cool” sensation, while corresponding PPD values of 39% and 31% represent the percentage of occupants likely to feel thermally dissatisfied, of which both calculated metrics are significantly off the acceptable standards of 10% (PPD) and −0.5 to +0.5 (PMV). Originality/value – This study will considerably advance thermal comfort theory, policy and practice in religious buildings, particularly medium-sized mosques in hot climates, by enabling architectural regulatory agencies to implement design best practices and use data-driven insights for more effective and sustainable building codes.