A combined thermal and ventilation model has been used to investigate the seasonal variation of air infiltration rates and ventilation heat losses in modern industrial buildings. The model was initially compared to measurements of ventilation rates, temperatures and heating loads in such a building, and was found to agree well. The model was then used to predict infiltration rates, temperatures, ventilation heat losses and space heating loads for a standard heating season for that building.
Air exchange rates in occupied buildings are difficult to assess due to their dependence on a multitude of climatic parameters and inhabitant behaviour. Moreover, the assessment of the influence of the air exchange rate on the radon progeny concentration is hampered by the diurnal and seasonal fluctuations of the indoor radon levels.