Not cool
Posted on: May 19, 2011
I got a bit steamed when I read yesterday’s ST article, MOE seeks ways to beat the heat in class. It is looking into ways of cooling schools in our hot and humid clime.
Singapore’s mrbrown was not impressed. I’m not either, but for different reasons.
The first might be an error in reporting. Or it might be that I don’t understand north-south orientations:
Given that most schools don’t have a think-outside-the-rectangular-box shape, a north-south orientation is like a lower case “l”. This would mean the building absorbs the most heat throughout the day. To reduce heat absorption, the building needs an east-west orientation on its long axis; the windows need a north-south orientation (i.e., be facing north and south).
Then there is the reason for the move in the first place:
A lack of focus and the ability to stay awake are not just because of the heat. How about a more reasonable start time? How about reducing the amount of “hot air” that is generated during teaching?
My suggestions? Make use of our plentiful sunlight to partially or fully power fans and air-conditioners. This might be expensive initially but it can pay for itself in the long run.
The other two suggestions I hinted at aren’t going to happen any time soon. We are held captive by the private bus companies and many teachers don’t know any other way of teaching.
End of nit-picky rant.
5 Responses to "Not cool"
2 | ashleytan
May 20, 2011 at 11:18 am
Ah, I see. My understanding and brief Web research was that N-S orientation referred to the long axis of a building.
If N-S refers to the long side of the building facing N-S as you have kindy pointed out, then I have learnt something new. Thank you!
Stepping back a bit further, this brief exchange is a good example of an informal learning opportunity. The risk is that I have to show my ignorance for someone to fill that gap. But, hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained!
May 20, 2011 at 10:37 am
“To reduce heat absorption, the building needs an east-west orientation on its long axis; the windows need a north-south orientation (i.e., be facing north and south).”
Erm that is what North-South orientation means? (As discussed in this book: http://www.onlineshop.com.sg/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2465&zenid=e03981bcf384b90a5dc875)
May 20, 2011 at 10:44 am
I honestly don’t know as I have not read that book.
Having lived overseas for several years and where cold weather is a real issue, the N-S orientation of the building is recommended to maximize heat absorption during the day.
I’ve not heard of the N-S orientation of windows. The ST article also mentions the N-S orientation of the buildings which makes no sense in the context of reducing heat absorption.
May 20, 2011 at 11:02 am
Your description is NS orientation. The Length of the buildings are facing NS, and so are the windows, since classrooms are arranged along the length of the building.
The reason why colder countries attempts to capture the sunlight with NS orientation is because the sun there is positioned more towards the north or south, depending on which hemisphere you are at. Where as in places near the equator, thats not the case, as the orientation of the sun has a EW bias.