Performance on Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality: A Case Study of a Hypermarket in Tropical Climate

This study assesses thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) across different zones within a hypermarket located in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia, a region characterized by a tropical climate with high humidity and temperature. Key indicators, including Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), Percentage of People Dissatisfied (PPD), and IAQ parameters such as carbon dioxide (CO2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), PM2.5, and PM10, were evaluated. Significant disparities were observed between zones, with the cafeteria (Zone 5) recording the highest discomfort levels, marked by a PPD of 50%, CO2 concentrations of 900 ppm, and TVOC levels reaching 1500 ppb, primarily due to cooking activities and inadequate ventilation. In contrast, the intermediate retail zone (Zone 3) demonstrated favourable conditions, with a PPD of 12% and PMV values within the recommended range. These findings were benchmarked against ASHRAE 55 and Köppen-Geiger climate classification standards, emphasising the need for targeted improvements to enhance the thermal comfort and IAQ of the hypermarket indoor environment.