English

As part of a programme to develop measurement methods for determining the ventilation rates of large buildings, we performed two series of tests in a single-celled laboratory with a volume of 600m3. The first series utilised constant concentration, constant emission and rate of decay tracer gas techniques to determine the characteristics of the infiltration pattern in varying winds and external temperatures. We used both discrete and continuous injection and sampling methods.

A survey is given of the sitution in The Netherlands with regard to ventilation and infiltration. Starting from a point of generally very leaky and hardly insulated buildings now the necessity is felt on the one side to make standards for the airtightness to prevent energy wastes by too high infiltration rates and on the other hand to define minimum ventilation rates to secure safe and hygienic conditions in well insulated and airtight buildings. This minimum ventilation rate is based on contaminants, caused by the occupants themselves, the so-called unavoidable sources.

Based on current concerns regarding indoor air quality and energy use, there is a need for in situ techniques for evaluating buildings' infiltration and ventilation characteristics. The U.S. National Bureau of Standards has developed and employed equipment and techniques for such evaluation. The measurement of whole building leakage and ventilation rates has been reported on previously. Additional procedures are presented here for a more complete evaluation of the ventilation system operation and the distribution of air within the building.

This paper describes a series of ventilation measurements carried out in two small factory units situated on an industrial estate in Newport, South Wales. One of the factories is typical of current design, and the other is designed to be of greater energy efficiency in terms of increased levels of insulation and reduced air infiltration rate.

Airtightness measurements were carried out in ten typical Dutch dwelling complexes. In each complex four homes were measured. The IMG calculation model was used to calculate expected ventilation for these dwellings. Results of a survey of 1500 occupants on use of ventilation are given. The ventilating behaviour in 610 homes was studied in greater detail. 210 of these had some form of mechanical ventilation. Ventilation requirements are given for individual rooms.

Describes a mathematical model for the detailed calculation of ventilation heat losses in buildings. The model takes account of the prevailing wind and buoyancy forces, the leakiness of the building facades and internal doors, and the effect of mechanical ventilation. Derives a simplified calculation method. The calculation results are presented as formulae, in numeric and graphical form. Presents results for a 70 m high residential building.

Describes the development of an automated air sampling equipment to measure air infiltration and interzonal air flows. A new matrix analysis method has been developed to calculate single zone infiltration and interzonal air flow rates from measured data. A number of multi-zone experiments have been carried out in the PCL solar heated house at Peterborough, and several single zone infiltration rate measurement experiments have been carried out in a widevariety of buildings. A grab-tube method has been developed for assessing air change rates.

Presents a control system for mechanical ventilation of large rooms such as meeting rooms, cinemas, department stores, etc, based on air quality. Gas sensors are used to measure the pollutant levels and regulate the air flow in the room in relation to the number of people, level of tobacco smoke and other pollutants. The CO2 levels are also recorded. The resulting energy saved is given for three Norwegian buildings.

The air change rate and the volume of heated air of the villa were measured by the constant concentration tracer gas method during a period of 11 days. The total volume of the villa is 1000 m3 and the heated volume 530 m3. It is built on six half-levels. The occupants continued their normal lifestyle during themeasurements. The Compact Equipment for Survey of Air Renewal (CESAR) was used with nitrous oxide as tracer gas at a concentration of 100 ppm. The mean global air change rate was 0.50/h.