An attempt was made to make the super-insulated Saskatchewan Conservation House as air-tight as possible, to avoid heat loss. By lapping all joints in the vapour barrier over solid backing, by continuous sealing of all joins, and by protecting the vapour barrier with solid covering, the natural air-change rate(A/C)was decreased to 1/20 change per hour. At this rate, induced air change was necessary to control odour and humidity. Most of these details could be modified to make any insulated house air-tight.
Air pollutants caused by man were measured in a test chamber. Variables were number of persons and their activities and the rate of the air change. During test sessions of two hours the temperature, the relative humidity, the carbon-dioxide and intensity of odors were measured. There was a significant correlation between the odor intensities and the concentrations of carbon-dioxide independent of the number of persons and the air change rate.At air change rates of 12-15m**3 per person and per hour, the carbon-dioxide concentration was not higher then 0.
Lists sources of radon and its isotopes in housing. Diagrams illustrate radon content as a function of air change rate. Estimates risk factors. Notes lack of coordinated national or international regulations. Relates number of lung cancer cases caused by radon to total recorded. States recommended maximum permissible concentrations.
Presents results of measurements of ventilation rates in the SEGAS test house. Describes the house and its heating and mechanical ventilation systems. Measurements of ventilation rates were made using helium as a tracer gas. Tests were made both with the house sealed to block obvious paths of infiltration and with it unsealed. Tests were also made with the house mechanically ventilated and with supply and extract systems working. Presents results of tests and examines the effect of variation in mean wind speed on ventilation rates.
Reports heat loss measurements made in an unoccupied house at Kenmay, Scotland. Gives constructional details of this well-insulated house. Reports measurements of energy and temperatures over two heating seasons and short term measurements of ventilation by tracer gas decay method. Finds natural ventilation rate of 0.25 air changes/hour and attributes this to low windspeeds. Compares calculated value of fabric heat loss with measured value and finds good agreement. Finds type of system used, either convective or fan heating has not affected the measured heat loss.
The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory measured the indoor air quality at Fairmoor Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio. A mobile laboratory was used to monitor air outdoors and at three indoor sites (two classrooms and a large multipurpose room); tests were made at three different ventilation rates. The parameters measured were outside air flow rates, odor perception, microbial burden, particulate mass, total aldehydes, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and nitrogen oxides.
Discusses sources of radon in buildings and the prediction of levels of radon and daughters. Derives differential equations governing the decay and venting of radon and its daughters. A computer program based on these equations has been written to predict radon and daughter concentrations, total potential alpha energy concentration and equilibrium factor. The program can account for time dependence of ventilation and emanation rates and is readily used by building designers.
Considers that air change measurement by means of tracer gas is the best way of measuring natural air infiltration in buildings. In some cases the method can be useful for measuring the ventilating air rate in mechanical systems asno interference with the system is required by the method. Deals with the theory of the method, the handling and measurement of different gases, cost of gas and instruments. Concludes by saying that only very simple instrumentation is required for most of the measurements with satisfactory accuracy.
Reports study of the energy consumption and ventilation requirements of typical existing public schools in New York. Electricity and fuel-oil consumption data from May 1970 to April 1973 from 19 schools were analysed.
Reports findings of investigations carried out by West German Federal Ministry of Health in July 1978 into the internal climate in the one third of the rooms in a representative West Berlin school which are located in the building core. These rooms have mechanical ventilation and artificial lighting. Gives results of measurements of room temperatures, air change rates, (measured using N2O as a tracer gas), concentration of carbon dioxide and acoustic performance of the rooms.
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