envelope leakage

Envelope air leakage testing of new residential buildings is becoming more common in the United States as state energy codes and energy efficiency programs add testing requirements. Leakage testing procedures and standards for single-family homes are straightforward; however, for low-rise multifamily buildings, there is little consensus on what type of envelope leakage should be applied to the standard or how leakage should be measured.

In the United States, compartmentalization measurement of individual unit total leakage is the most common method of air leakage testing multifamily buildings. There are several advantages to this method: (1) The measurement includes interior leakage, which affects contaminant and sound transfer; (2) the test is easier to perform than others; (3) many people are qualified to perform the test; and (4) units can be tested earlier in the construction process than with other methods. However, exterior leakage has the greatest impact on energy performance.

Purpose of the work

In an air traffic control tower, conditions for thermal comfort are crucial as the task of air traffic control requires high level of attention and vigilance. Comfortable conditions must be guaranteed all the time especially during extreme periods. Therefore, the HVAC system of a control tower is always composed by two, possibly three, identical air handling units, functioning in full redundancy.

Describes the indoor air quality remediation of a US elementary school. The school was in a poor state, with very high humidity levels due to steam from the boilers infiltrating walls and crawlspaces and roof leaks. Cockroaches and birds had entered the building. Leaking chemical drums were found in the basement. There were high rates of respiratory illness and absenteeism. The remediation included eliminating extensive mould in the wall cavities, repairing roof leaks and adding a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.