Summarizes the factors affecting air infiltration, with definitions of the terminology used. Discusses minimum and optimum air change rate, and choice of ventilation system. Lists research in Switzerland.
Twelve energy-efficient houses in Eugene, Oregon, USA, were measured for effective leakage area using blower door fan pressurization. Air exchange rates over a period of several hours were determined by tracer gas decay analysis.
A new method for measuring interzonal air movement, using up to four different tracer gases simultaneously, has been developed at the Polytechnic of Central London and tested in a solar air-heated experimental house in Peterborough, UK.
During the winters of 1982/83 and 1983/84, air infiltration measurements were made in 34 dwellings in 5 apartment blocks. In all 34 dwellings the air leakage of the building shell was measured by pressurization. In 5 dwellings tracer gas decay rate was used to measure the air change rate, both with andwithout mechanical ventilation. Results of these measurements are presented.
Notes that the trend to airtight window constructions has upset the balance in buildings between moisture generation and its removal. Treats the factors which combine to determine whether a building will have moisture problems. Presents a procedure for the straightforward determination of the specific minimum air flow required in a particular building to prevent condensation on the inner surface of corners formed by two dimensional external walls. Determines the base air flow and the supplementary air flow for four models of representative apartments.
The indoor air of 60 residences in and around a Maryland suburb of Washington, DC, was monitored in a pilot study to determine residential radon concentrations. In each residence, a radon grab sample was acquired in the living room, and, if possible, in the basement. Infiltration rates were determined by tracer gas dilution. To help standardize sampling conditions, each home remained closed up for 8 hours prior to sampling and during analysis. Over 60% of the residences sampled showed air infiltration rates below 0.6 air changes per hour.
Based on current concerns regarding indoor air quality and energy use, there is a need for in situ techniques for evaluating buildings' infiltration and ventilation characteristics. The U.S. National Bureau of Standards has developed and employed equipment and techniques for such evaluation. The measurement of whole building leakage and ventilation rates has been reported on previously. Additional procedures are presented here for a more complete evaluation of the ventilation system operation and the distribution of air within the building.
The Linford project involved designing, building and monitoring 8 low energy passive solar houses. The houses were insulated to current Danish Regulation standards. Seven occupied and 1 unoccupied test house were monitored over two years.
The aerodynamic forces affecting wind and rain penetration of roofs are described. They are: 1 the wind and its turbulent nature, 2 the induced pressure field, 3 the air flows in contact with the roof and 4 the characteristics of the roof (internal pressure, permeability, structure, etc).
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