Assessing Illuminance Levels In Female Undergraduate Hostels at The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Assessing Illuminance Levels In Female Undergraduate Hostels at The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Authors

  • Adewale Afolami Federal University of Technology, Akure

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51459/jostir.2026.2.2.083

Keywords:

Comfort, Courtyard, Higher educational institutions, Lighting, Occupants

Abstract

Providing conducive living environments that support academic success and overall well-being is a paramount concern for higher educational institutions in Nigeria. This study investigates the illumination levels within the female hostel facilities at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with a view to improving the database of indoor environmental quality of higher education buildings in Southwest Nigeria. The objectives that guided the research are to firstly, assess the illuminance levels in the two selected case study units (Jibowu and Awosika halls of residence). Secondly, to compare the measured values against the international standard, whether it was within limit levels. The hourly measurement was carried out using a HS1010A equipment, a handheld light meter on November 1, 2024. The analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and the student t-test statistical tool. Key findings reveal that the mean value for double-loaded corridor-based hostel design was 180.9 lux compared to 190.8 lux for the courtyard-based hostel. The study concludes that the light levels in both courtyard and double-loaded corridor models are within the international standard in the dry season. Practical implications of this research shows that both models are time tested and remains design options till date. Furthermore, tests can be carried out during the wet season.

References

Al Horr, Y., Arif, M., Kaushik, A., Mazroei, A., Katafygiotou, M., & Elsarrag, E. (2016). Occupant productivity and office indoor environment quality: A review of the literature. Building and Environment, 105, 369–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.06.001

Budhiyanto, A., & Chiou, Y. S. (2024). Visual comfort and energy savings in classrooms using surveillance camera-derived HDR images for lighting and day lighting control system. Energy Reports, 6, 123-134.

Davoodi, A., Johansson, P., & Aries, M. (2021). The Implementation of Visual Comfort Evaluation in the Evidence-Based Design Process Using Lighting Simulation. Applied Sciences, 11(11), 4982. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114982

Fakhari, M., Vahabi, V., & Fayaz, R. (2021). A study on the factors simultaneously affecting visual comfort in classrooms: A structural equation modeling approach. Energy and Buildings, 249, 111232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111232

Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA, 2021). FUTA giant strides volume X. Akure, Nigeria: Federal University of Technology, Akure.

Federal Republic of Nigeria (2006). National Building Code. South Africa: Butterworth

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA, 2021). IESNA lighting handbook (10th Ed.). US: IESNA.

US Green Building Council (USGBC, 2025). Understanding LEED and getting started. A webpage information sheet accessed on 9th September, 2025 from www.usgbc.org

Pankaj, & Bandana. (2023). Environmental Factors Influencing Visual Comfort in Indoor Spaces. Journal of Indoor Environment Quality.

Preiser, W. F. E. & Vischer, J. C. (2004). Assessing building performance. London: Routledge.

Salameh, M., Touqan, B., & Salameh, M. (2020). Courtyard Design in Schools and its Influence on Students’ Satisfaction. Proceedings of the 5th World Congress on Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.11159/icgre20.197

Seman, Z. M., Sheau-Ting, L, Mansor, R., Wee, S. & Fadzil, S. Z. (2020). Classroom illuminance: A case in Malaysian University. IOP Conference Series Material Science and Engineering, 849(1), 012002. Retrieved from www.researchgate.net

Shafavi, N. S., Zomorodian, Z. S., Tahsildoost, M., & Javadi, M. (2020). Occupants visual comfort assessments: A review of field studies and lab experiments. Solar Energy, 208, 249–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.07.058

Tester (2024). The picture HS1010A. Accessed on 17th January, 2025 from www.tester.co.uk.

VAIA (2025). Visual Comfort: Definition & Examples. A web page information retrieved from https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/architecture/interior-design-in-architecture/visual-comfort/ on 17th January, 2025.

Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG, 2024). Courtyard. A web page information, accessed on 17th January, 2025 from www.wbdg.org

Woodside, G. (2014). Case study research: theory, methods, practice. Bingley, UK: Emerald group publishing.

Zitzewitz, P. W. (2004). Glencoe physics: Principles and problems (9th edition). US: Mcgraw-Hill/Glencoe

Downloads

Published

2026-08-28

How to Cite

Afolami, A. (2026). Assessing Illuminance Levels In Female Undergraduate Hostels at The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation Research, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.51459/jostir.2026.2.2.083

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Loading...