Environmental Measurements of Classrooms at the Florida A and M University

The classroom environment was comprehensively investigated at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida. The purpose of this study was first to objectively measure environmental factors of classrooms at FAMU such as thermal conditions, indoor air quality, lighting, and acoustics and to ascertain if the classroom environmental factors affect academic achievement of students in the college level.

A total of 11 classrooms in the Architecture building and the Education building at FAMU were measured twice to represent the empty classroom and the occupied classroom by students at two different locations in each classroom. The classroom environments at the occupied condition were measured while lectures were ongoing. Thermal conditions such as dry-bulb temperature, wet-bulb temperature and % relative humidity were measured to investigate thermal comfort. CO2 concentration was measured to evaluate the indoor air quality. Light levels were measured in accordance to the style of the lectures. The background noises were measured and compared with NC curves. The classrooms with recent renovation showed relatively better classroom environment in all environmental factors.

keywords: Classroom Environment, CO2 Concentration, Temperature, Lighting, Acoustics