Effectiveness Analysis of Hip Roof and Window Openings on Natural Ventilation Performance in Tropical Residences in Fiji

Fahmi Nur Hakim, Tri Kuncoro, Haura Inas Fibriilian, Tee Tze Kiong

Abstract


This study evaluates the effectiveness of natural ventilation design in a two-story residential house in Fiji featuring a hip roof and large window configuration based on working drawings. A quantitative descriptive method was applied to measure the opening-to-floor ratio (OFR) at 26.1%, which significantly exceeds the minimum requirements of ASHRAE 62.1 (4%), SNI 03-6572-2001 (5–10%), and the Fiji Public Health Act (8%). Results indicate that the 35° hip roof creates an effective heat isolation space (H_stack = 4 m), while double-side opening windows support cross ventilation across room depths of less than 5 m. This combination of passive design strategies achieves optimal thermal comfort for Fiji's humid tropical climate (22–27°C, RH 74–84%), with potential air changes exceeding 20 ACH, reducing mechanical cooling dependence by 30–40%.

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References


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