1Arc. Boyce
A. Odoko2Olokpo Morgan I.
1Department of Architecture, National Institute of
Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo State
2Department of Building Technology, National Institute of
Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo State
Email:
odokoarch@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Nigeria has a tropical
climate because of its close proximity to the equator and the Atlantic Ocean.
Generally, Nigeria has high temperatures. Nigeria has two main seasons, the
rainy season and dry season. The coastal Southern region of the country is
characterized by rainfall and humidity, and it is hot as well. While, the
Northern region of Nigeria is characterized by very hot and dry weather, it is
a desert climate. The desert climate in Northern Nigeria, is typically hot
during the day and cold in the night. Therefore, Nigeria has hot temperature.
Because of the hot temperature in Nigeria, and in view of the common building
construction materials, which are the concrete masonry units, the zinc and the
long span aluminum roofing sheet. Nigeria houses needs to be insulated against
the hot climate. Nigeria is located in the hot tropical region, from sun rise
to sun set, the radiation from the sun will be heating right on top of the
roofs of Nigerian buildings. The roofs of the buildings are of zinc roofing
sheets or long span aluminum sheets. These roofing sheets are heat conductors,
hence, they permeate hot air down into the living spaces of the houses creating
uncomfortable environment for the occupants. Therefore, the roof interior of
these houses needs to be insulated to combat the intense sun heat radiation. The
exterior walls of these buildings are constructed with concrete masonry units.
Concrete blocks absorbs heat, it permeates heat transfer. Again, from sun rise
to sun set, the exterior concrete masonry unit walls of these houses are
exposed to the sun heat radiation. As the solar radiation hits the concrete
block wall, the concrete block wall keeps on absorbing the hot solar radiation
throughout the day. The concrete masonry wall keeps on transferring the heat
until it penetrates into the living spaces of the house, thereby, creating
uncomfortable environment for the occupants. This happens because concrete
masonry unit is a heat conductor and therefore, it needs to be insulated
against the heat radiation from penetrating into the building living spaces.
Keywords: Insulation, Material,
Thermal Insulation, Solar Radiation, Hot Climate, Dry Climate, Winter, Summer,
Desert, Temperature, Comfort, Cooling,
Heating, Attic, Ventilation.
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