English

Briefly reviews ways of reducing levels of pollutant in the house. Concludes that the best method is to ensure adequate ventilation. Considers how this can be done whilst still conserving energy including the use of mechanical ventilation systems with heat exchangers in tight houses. Concludes that making houses tighter as an energy conservation measure should be approached with caution, as the identification of indoor pollutants and the introduction of indoor air quality standards is still in its infancy.

Due to energy shortage and increased energy costs, there seems to be conflicting interest between hygiene and comfort on one hand, and energy economy on the other. Fortunately, it is possible to increase the ventilating air change rate in the zone of occupancy without increasing the air change rate for the whole room in question. Describes different methods for measuring and defining ventilation efficiency, and tests some of these methods in the laboratory, along with different ventilation systems.

Shows that the interior pressures in buildings are amenable to more detailed analysis than is conventionally given them and that useful information on them can be easily derived from the wind tunnel data on external pressures. The uncertainties can be expressed in parallel statistical terms. The importance of fluctuating pressures are related to the area of the opening and interior volume and a simple criterion indicates when these are likely to be important.

Presents an analytical model for the prediction of ventilation rates, internal pressures and temperatures as influenced by the combined effects of heat dissipation inside industrial buildings and natural wind action. The model inputs are external pressure distribution, pressure drop coefficients of theopenings and thermal conductance of the walls and roof assumed to be knownfrom experimental data. A simple example is worked out. It consists of a two span long building, equipped with a natural ventilation system and divided into two internal spaces differently heated.

An experiment was indertaken in order to explore sensitivity of measured pressures to the accuracy with which the terrain and boundary layer winds are modelled. A 1:100 scale model was tested for a single roof pitch and wind angle and eight different boundary layer simulations. The experiment was conducted as part of a review of the reliability of wind tunnel test data when compared with full scale experiments, such as those carried out by the Building Research Establishment at Aylesbury.

Conducts a study of wind loading of low buildings, based on models of several different heights, lengths and roof slopes, and includes roofs with and wthout eaves and both open country and urban exposures. This forms the basis of the National Building Code of Canada.

A large number of air-conditioned office blocks constructed in recent years in the FRG have been equipped with waste-air ventilated windows. Based on experience now available from planning, laboratory tests and practical operation, describes the different design principles and their technical characteristics. Bases the evaluation on window designs which have been used in 11 office buildings totalling 10000sq.m useful floor area.

Presents a mathematical model of the formaldehyde concentrations in rooms containing particle boards with known emission rates of formaldehyde. Tests the model in 3 rooms in a new house. Finds agreement within +-15% between calculated and measured formaldehyde concentrations in the rooms before painting and without furniture, carpets etc. Concludes that the combined mathematical model and the analytical method may be suitable for the classification of particle boards according to their emission of formaldehyde and for predictions of formaldehyde concentrations in the indoor environment.

Describes intiatives made in North America to reduce energy consumption in buildings. Most energy utilities finance energy efficiency improvements on their customers premises. Reports on super-insulated housing and how this type of construction is being implemented in Canada.

Discusses the advantages of reducing air infiltration in industrial buildings in terms of energy conservation. States that heat loss due to infiltration is often underestimated or ignored as it is difficult to measure. Concentrates ondoorways as a major source of infiltration, and shows that the type of door used needs to match the requirements of the entrance, such as type and size of vehicle passing etc. Decribes a range of doors suitable for different conditions.