Indoor air pollution is particularly noticeable today, resulting from the improvement of ventilation in building envelopes in order to economise in heat energy, and the consequent reduction of fresh air entry, leading to poorer air quality. The article describes the effect of tobacco smoke on the indoor climate of residential and office buildings and its effects on health, particularly its effect on non- smokers, or the passive effects of smoke.
Indoor air pollution is defined, and some of the causes are listed, all of which can be harmful to health. The problem is accentuated by recent insulation measures aimed at economising on energy costs, which lead to a dramatic reduction in natu
A comprehensive computer program for the prediction of air flow and smoke migration in the building was applied to the 11 story administration building of the National Bureau of Standards. Natural air leakage rates under various climatic conditions for several ventilation system operations were obtained. The computed results were compared with measured air leakage rate by using the sulphur hexafluoride tracer gas technique. Smoke migration was simulated for the selected pressurization conditions.
The air change rate in a single story office building was measured using atracer gas technique. The air change rate was determined by the rate of decay method using sulfur hexafluoride as the tracer gas. A total of eight tests were conduc
The above new building is described. Main features of this building are shade from trees, south windows catch the breeze in summer and insolation in the winter, insulated foundations, roof and wall insulation, solar collectors toprovide all hot water heating and 75% of space heating, thermally massive walls to stabilise temperature, various natural ventilation and air conditioning options, and storm windows. Energy consumption details are given.
Summarises in tables the energy consumptions of a block of flats and a single house demonstrating how the share of energy consumed for fresh air heating and domestic hot water supply increases significantly in line with improved thermal insulation.
The U.S. EPA initiated an indoor air monitoring program in 1982, concentrating on commercial or public-access buildings (homes for the elderly, schools, and office buildings). Several buildings from each category are sampled over 2-3 day peri
Describes the CO2-controlled ventilation system of the energy efficient EKONO II office building in Helsinki. An air sample is taken from a main return air duct, pumped to a CO2 analyzer which gives the message of the concentration tothe computer. The computer regulates the opening of the recirculation air and outdoor air dampers to keep the CO2 concentration in return air below a certain level. Shows fluctuation of outdoor air rate and CO2 concentration during one day.
Describes the results of a series of observations of window opening by occupants of 200 small offices in 5 buildings. Shows a high degree of association between the number of windows open and weather-related parameters. Estimated ventilation rates based upon the proportion of windows open, indicate levels substantially in excess of those required for indoor quality control, for a large part of the heating season.
Presents data on the air infiltration and ventilation rates in 2 large commercial buildings. One building is a 4 storey, 10000m2 office building near Glasgow, Scotland; the other is a 26 storey, 100,000m2 skyscraper in Newark NJ. Collects the data on air infiltration and ventilation rates by a micro-computer based automated air infiltration system which controls the injection of a tracer gas into the various zones of the building and monitors its decay.