Discusses the problems associated with poor air quality in tight buildings. Considers how problem conditions can be identified and evaluated, and gives some possible solutions to improving air quality. These include turning the thermostat down slightly, increasing ventilation levels, and ensuring that themechanical ventilation system is working properly, or calling in a specialist to identify the problem.
States that in localities which must be ventilated by law such as cinemas, restaurants and assembly rooms of various kinds the fresh air supply is often greatly in excess of what is strictly needed. This excess air has to be transported, and possibly heated, cooled, humidified and dehumidified. Describes how controlling the air quality makes it possible to restrict the quantity of fresh air to the basic requirements, thereby keeping ventilation heat losses to a minimum. The control variable is the room air quality as monitored by a sensor.
States that in a tight house with a vapour barrier, an air management system is needed to provide fresh air and remove the build-up of moisture generated by the occupants. Briefly describes a typical air management system,incorporating an air-to-air heat exchanger, and discusses the need to provide an acceptable ventilation rate, which controls pollutant level but minimizes heat losses.
Studies the ventilation of 9 air-conditioned animal rooms used for both housing and experiments. Samples dust, measures ventilation rate by anemometers and by tracer gas decay, and uses settle plates to determine the number of airborne bacteria. Detects a high amount of pariculate matter emanating from the animals which might sensitize personnel working in these rooms. Previously, attention has been paid to the ventilation requirements of the animals but where people also spend several hours in animal rooms then safety conditions for staff must be considered.
Undertakes experimental studies to identify antecedent conditions of various health and comfort problems experienced by office workers in sealed, air conditioned buildings in New York City and Vancouver. Tries to relate building characteristics (paricularly of lighting and ventilation) to prevalence andincidence of reported health and comfort problems. Finds that changing both lighting and ventilation simultaneously results in a 31.2% reduction in reported eye irritation.
Uses social survey data to test the hypothesis that residential energy conservation measures have the effect of reducing air quality in the home and have a subsequent deleterious effect on the health of the residents. A measure of exposure to harsh chemicals at work is tested for its effect on health. Finds small but detectable amounts of carbon monoxide in more than half of the 173 homes surveyed. The CO levels are higher in homes with unvented kerosene or gas space heaters and homes with smokers present.
Describes a field method for surveying residences for indoor air quality. The method requires 2 days of field testing for each residence - a day to perform a multipoint tracer gas study to characterize the ventilation efficiency of the various spaces in the house and to determine the overall air change rate; and a day to measure contaminant concentrations in locations selected according to the results of the tracer gas study and contaminant generation locations. Describes and discusses results obtained by this surveying procedure in 3 energy efficient residences.
89 male and female judges have evaluated the intensity and acceptance of body odour when they enter 2 experimental auditoria occupied by 41-216 men. More than 1000 men served as occupants during 200 experiments. Varies ventilation rate, space volume per occupant, and temperature. Finds carbon-dioxide to be a useful index of body odour intensity. Finds no significant influence of space volume per occupant on odour intensity or steady-state ventilation requirement. Establishes a relation between the percentage of dissatisfied and CO2 concentrations.
Describes a climatic chamber used to measure the concentration of formaldehyde and other volatile substances which may be emitted by furnishing and building materials. The equipment consists of 4 climatic chambers of stainless steel, with a volume of 1.00 m3. The chambers are supplied with air at a constant temperature and constant relative humidity by an air handling installation. This installation can supply air within a temperature interval of 17-27 plus or minus 0.5degrees C, and relative humidity between 30-65% plus or minus 2%.
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