Natural ventilation in large and multicelled buildings: theory, measurement and prediction.

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. Theoretical and experimental work showed that, with this technique, it is probably sufficient to seed part of a complex building with a single tracer gas in order to measure the overall infiltration rate to a good approximation. Prediction models have also been used to determine the effectiveness of draughtstripping windows on the energy consumption of an office building.