IMPACT OF CLASSROOM SIZE AND STUDENT SPACING ON AIRBORNE CONTAMINANT EXPOSURE

The spread of airborne contaminants in classrooms is a critical health concern, with ventilation and student density playing vital roles in mitigating exposure risks. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes physical distancing to reduce contamination, highlighting the need for strategic layouts and efficient classroom airflow systems. This study explores the impact of classroom size on contaminant dispersion using a mixing air distribution system. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were utilized to evaluate ventilation performance, with model accuracy confirmed through experimental data. Results from a classroom setup with 17 students and a teacher showed that doubling the room size significantly decreased the number of high-risk students from six to two, representing a 67% reduction in exposed occupants. Despite this, students near an infected individual remained at risk. This integrated CFD and experimental analysis offers crucial insights into improving air quality management in educational environments.