In this programme of work, methodologies for determining infiltration rates of large and complex buildings have been established. Theoretical considerations suggested that comprehensive information regarding interzonal air movements might be obtained from experimental techniques using multiple tracer gases. Field measurements to determine interzonal flows were carried out in office buildings using automated measurement systems developed for this purpose. Simpler techniques were found to be needed and were developed.
This paper describes tracer gas measuring techniques that have been used to characterize ventilation and air infiltration in buildings, with an emphasis on recent developments and applications in large industrial and commercial structures. Fundamentals and applications are presented for both single andmultiple tracer gas methods. In addition to techniques suitable for detailed characterization of building airflows, procedures and equipment appropriate to surveying large numbers of buildings are also discussed.
Ventilation rates were measured in nine office buildings using an automated tracer gas measuring system. The buildings range in size from a two-storey federal building with a floor area of about 20,000 ft2 (1900 m2) to a 26-storey office building with a floor area of 700,000 ft2 (65,000 m2). The ventilation rates were measured for about 100 hours in each building over a range of weather conditions. The results are presented and examined for variation with time and weather. In most cases, the ventilation rate of a building is similar for hot and cold weather.
Measurements on the rate of air exchange in residential buildings have been carried out by the Swedish Institute for Building Research since 1970. The results of an analysis of these measurements are presented in this paper for about 500 buildings not having mechanical ventilation. The studied buildings include one- and two-storey, detached, single- family houses, row houses, and multifamily residential buildings built between 1900 and 1982 and of various design. In some cases, the buildings have been retrofitted by improving the insulation of the attic or the exterior walls.
Air infiltration and ventilation rate measurements were made during all seasons of the year in eight federal office buildings using an automatic air infiltration system designed at the National Bureau of Standards. The eight federal office buildings were located in Anchorage, Alaska; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Columbia, South Carolina; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Huron, South Dakota; Norfolk, Virginia; Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and Springfield, Massachusetts.
Air leakage measurements by the tracer dilution technique were performed in five military aircraft hangars. The hangars were located in regions of the country having diverse weather characteristics. In several of the hangars, distinct measurements were performed to assess the degree of homogeneity of the air-tracer gas mixture in these large volume structures. Air leakage rates in the range of 0.6 to slightly above 2.0 air changes per hour (ACH)were measured. Surprisingly, these values do not differ significantly from those which might be measured in single-family residences.
Describes the evaluation of a new simple passive perfluorocarbon tracer technique for determining air infiltration rates into houses and buildings. The authors explain the methods used and present and discuss their results.
The advancement of tracing techniques enabled the problems associated with local and general ventilation in industrial premises to be tackled with accuracy. The purpose of this article is to present, on the one hand, the various measurement techniques of helium tracing used by the CEA and the INRS and, on the other hand, to give some examples of application.
The tracer technique can be used in ventilation and contaminant spreading investigations. We have chosen sulphur hexafluoride. We have constructed aspecific instrumentation to perform indoor tests. All components are portable and battery operable. We use generators with remotely controlled flow, real-time chromatographs as analysers, continuous SF6 monitors and field-use calibrators. We have performed numerous tests, in the nuclear industry (Laboratories, reprocessing facilities and PWR), in conventional industries and in hospitals.
A multiple tracer gas method for following air movement in buildings has been developed and demonstrated at the Polytechnic of Central London. This paper describes the method and shows how it is being used to investigate: 1. the whole house inf
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