English

Describes a study to map the ground wind conditions in the housing area Kroksback in Malmo, and to study the effect of various proposed measures to improve the wind environment. Studies local ground wind conditions by field measurements using the Swedish Institute for Building Research (SIB) mobile measuring unit and by comparative model tests in the SIB wind tunnel laboratory. Estimates wind speed and direction by means of a simple indicator device.

Compares LBL infiltration model predictions with air infiltration and weather data collected by MITU. Examines 4 simplifying assumptions in the model:1. The flow through cracks in the building shell can be approximated by orifice flow 2. ""Wind-induced and stack-induced infiltration can be added in quadrature 3. Wind-induced infiltration can be represented by averaging the values for 3 typical aspect ratios 4.

Undertakes experimental studies to identify antecedent conditions of various health and comfort problems experienced by office workers in sealed, air conditioned buildings in New York City and Vancouver. Tries to relate building characteristics (paricularly of lighting and ventilation) to prevalence andincidence of reported health and comfort problems. Finds that changing both lighting and ventilation simultaneously results in a 31.2% reduction in reported eye irritation.

Reviews new standards on thermal comfort and discusses the scientific basis for some of the limits. Presents new data for human response to asymmetric radiation and air velocity. Briefly discusses different strategies for saving energy while maintaining thermal comfort.

Develops and tests a low-cost computer-assisted diagnostic package to supply the architect and engineer with key information and understanding of the energy use, balance and resulting saving potential of existing and new buildings. The energy balance is shown in a standard graph. Heat losses are calculated in oil equivalent. The program has its own database for typical thermal performance values of different building types and meteorological data of 26 sites within Switzerland.

Uses social survey data to test the hypothesis that residential energy conservation measures have the effect of reducing air quality in the home and have a subsequent deleterious effect on the health of the residents. A measure of exposure to harsh chemicals at work is tested for its effect on health. Finds small but detectable amounts of carbon monoxide in more than half of the 173 homes surveyed. The CO levels are higher in homes with unvented kerosene or gas space heaters and homes with smokers present.

Describes a field method for surveying residences for indoor air quality. The method requires 2 days of field testing for each residence - a day to perform a multipoint tracer gas study to characterize the ventilation efficiency of the various spaces in the house and to determine the overall air change rate; and a day to measure contaminant concentrations in locations selected according to the results of the tracer gas study and contaminant generation locations. Describes and discusses results obtained by this surveying procedure in 3 energy efficient residences.

89 male and female judges have evaluated the intensity and acceptance of body odour when they enter 2 experimental auditoria occupied by 41-216 men. More than 1000 men served as occupants during 200 experiments. Varies ventilation rate, space volume per occupant, and temperature. Finds carbon-dioxide to be a useful index of body odour intensity. Finds no significant influence of space volume per occupant on odour intensity or steady-state ventilation requirement. Establishes a relation between the percentage of dissatisfied and CO2 concentrations.

Uses a validated multi-cell mathematical model of air infiltration to analyse the influence of various ventilation strategies on air distribution and energy demands. Assesses the performance of both natural and mechanical systems for two sets of climatic conditions and for two levels of airtightness. Shows that natural ventilation rates are highly dependent on climate. Additionally, air movement is a function of wind direction and stack effect.

Describes the Energy Performance Design System (EPDS) which is a simplified procedure for energy analysis based on extensive field testing, laboratory experiments and computer modelling. Provides a simple procedure for designing and evaluating the performance of energy-efficient homes. Describes thedevelopment of the simplified air infiltration model used in EPDS. The starting point for model development was a series of field studies on air infiltration conducted 1978-1981.