Theoretical and experimental investigation of ventilation rates and their relation with IAQ and thermal comfort in university classrooms during SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Abstract During the pandemic of Covid-19, ventilation rate buildings and especially in spaces with high occupancy like classrooms, presents research interest. The strategies, combined use masks, contribute to decrease infection risk Covid-19. Also, improves Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), contributing good health users potentially influences their thermal comfort. In proposed work, experimental investigation ventilation’s adequacy naturally ventilated classrooms located at University Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece, took place. Measurements include comfort parameters, as well IAQ ones, namely carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes ozone (O 3 ). air exchange rates were determined according tracer gas decay equilibrium analysis methods, using CO gas, while simulations appropriate computational approaches was applied. results between method simulation compared, allowing validation adopted models. Given that for both natural proved be inadequate, different simulated scenarios ventilation, including mechanical configuration, investigated; relation investigated. Moreover, risk, given or IAQ, assessed, relevant approaches.