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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
The Impact of Window Openings on Indoor Air Quality in Public Toilets of Elementary School Buildings
Farhana Ahmed and Rumana Rashid
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DOI:10.17265/1934-7359/2025.05.004
Department of Architecture, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Tejgaon, Dhaka 1208, Bangladesh
This study examines the influence of window size and ventilation strategies on the IAQ (indoor air quality) of public toilets in elementary schools within Dhaka City. Maintaining adequate IAQ in school toilets is crucial, as poor air quality can pose significant health risks, including respiratory issues, discomfort, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Moreover, substandard IAQ can lead to unpleasant odors and poor sanitation, negatively impacting students’ overall well-being and learning environment. The research evaluates key IAQ indicators, including carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) concentrations, humidity, and temperature, to determine the effectiveness of various ventilation setups. The study employs comparative analysis by varying window sizes and ventilation strategies, such as natural ventilation with different window opening percentages. Findings reveal that toilets with larger window areas and higher opening percentages achieve significantly improved natural ventilation, resulting in reduced levels of CO₂ and SO₂, lower humidity, and more stable temperatures. These improvements contribute to creating a more hygienic and comfortable environment. The results underscore the critical role of window design and placement in enhancing ventilation efficiency and minimizing pollutant buildup in public toilets. Based on these insights, the study provides actionable recommendations for optimizing window dimensions, placement, and ventilation strategies in the design of school toilets and facilities. By implementing these design improvements, schools can significantly enhance toilets sanitation, improve health outcomes for students, and create a more conducive learning environment. The findings offer practical solutions for addressing IAQ challenges in window design for architects and designers.
IAQ, window opening, ventilation effectiveness, CO₂ concentration, SO₂ concentration, temperature and humidity.
Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 19 (2025) 242-249
doi: 10.17265/1934-7359/2025.05.004
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