Post Occupancy Evaluation of Building Services Provisions in Higher Institution Libraries in Niger State

Abstract

Library is perceieved as the heart of every educational institution but has continually being poised with a poor and neglected design approach and maintenance regardless of its relevance in the educational institutions. Thiis paper reports on the post occupancy evaluation (POE) of the building services provisions in three selected higher institutions in Niger State within the months of July and December 2014. The study adopted a bespoke POE approach in carrying out the obective measurement. The data revaeled temperatuure to be the range of 25.0 oC and 32,6 oC, the relative humidity lies between 52.1 and 83.2% with most values above 70%; the noise rating recorded was 27.0 to 86.8 dBA and lighting was within 15.2 to 286..5 lux. The result form the technical indices obtained suggested that most parameters within the indoor space did not comform with the standard provided in CIBSE Guide A (2006). It was recommended that as designers go about the planning and execution of habitable structures, great consideration should be given to the wellness and comfort (physioological and psychological wellbeing) of the occupants of such spaces with a strong emphasis on the provide in Integrated School Design by Chattered Institute of Building Servives Engineers [CIBSE] TM57 (2015). Also a proactive maintenance should be adhered to with a mandate from a periodical POE survey on comfort.