Unlike conventional ventilation systems, the displacement ventilation system supplies air in the low region of a room, while the exhaust opening is usually placed near the ceiling. When partitions are used in the occupied zone, the diffusion of supply air may be obstructed; thus, the existence of the partition may present important effects on air diffusion, retarding the removal of a contaminant. The present study considers the effects of office partition layout on air diffusion and indoor contaminant control in a large partitioned office equipped with a displacement ventilation system.
The inventory of organics in the air of a ten year old office building shows a wide variety of natural and synthetical volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although 240 employees consume 1200 - 1500 cigarettes per day, the effective ventilation system reduces the ETS rapidly, however, aromatic hydrocarbons and some natural compounds still remain in the air in the higher μg/m3-range. Systematic analyses of volatile compounds of all cleansers used shows that they are sources of higher limonene amounts. Aromatics entered by way of "fresh air'' intake near the parking entrance at street level.
The large number of innovative energy concepts which have been elaborated today to the stage of practicability open up new opportunities for contemporary architectural design. Energy concepts which pursue the aim of making optimum use of every available energy potential make the building itself an essential component of the basic energy logistics.
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