Occupant-generated CO2 as an indicator of ventilation rate.

Reports on 2 methods of measuring ventilation rates in the 8-storey San Francisco Social Services Building, using occupant-generated CO2 as a tracer gas. Measures CO2 concentration at regular intervals on the first floor using an infra-red gas detector. Uses the tracer gas decay method and the constant concentration (integral) method to determine ventilation rates. Finds that the CO2 decay method compares favourably with both SF6 tracer gas measurements and with air-flow measurements in the ducts.

Development and field verification of a model of house air infiltration for single family residences.

An air infiltration computer program, developed earlier, has been further refined by the inclusion of the effects of door openings and vent-fan usage in house air infiltration. The model has also been further verified for its accuracy and precision by comparison to actual air infiltration data from both conventional construction dwellings and also from two advance design homes. A program listing and user manual of the computer program have also been developed.

Evaluating wind ventilation in buildings by wind tunnel tests.

Describes a scale model test technique designed to estimate building ventilation flow rates due to wind as a function of its primary variables. Use of this method is illustrated by its application to the determination of wind-induced ventilation flow rates in earth-bermed, above-ground fallout shelters. Shelter models with 3 different sets of wall openings are tested over a range of relative wind angles varying from 0 to 90 degrees and wind speeds from 2.25 m/s to 6.75 m/s. Helium filled soap bubbles released in the approach wind boundary layer trace the flow through the buildings.

Energy conserving retrofits and indoor air quality in residential housing.

Assesses the impact of energy-conserving retrofits on air leakage and indoor air quality for several houses that are part of a weatherization programme in the Pacific Northwest offered by a power and light company. Indoor air quality was measured using the Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) mobile laboratory containing sampling, monitoring, and calibration equipment. Leakage area of the building envelope was determined using the fan pressurization technique.

Observations on climate and building design with paricular reference to building aerodynamics and its effect on fuel consumption in multi-storey dwellings.

Investigates the relationship between fuel consumption in a multi-storey block of flats and climatic exposure. Fuel consumption anomalies between identical flats are attributed to vagaries in the airflow around the building and highlight the need for improved standards of thermal insulation and/or differential thermal insulation, dependent upon flat insulation.

Subjective and objective evaluation of a CO2-control variable ventilation system.

The heating system of a Junior High School in Minnesota has been re-equipped with a CO2-controlled variable ventilation system. The outdoor air dampers remain fully closed whenever the CO2 concentration is below a specified setpoint. During the early months of 1980, the system operated in alternate periods under the conventilanal temperature-driven control strategy and the experimental CO2-driven control strategy.

Wind pressures on roofs with negative pitch.

Reports on experiments carried out on models with trough roofs in order to study the influence of parapet height and wind turbulence. The models were exposed to both turbulent shear flow and a smooth uniform flow. Pressure coefficients were c

Wind-tunnel measurements of surface pressures on cubic building models at several scales.

States that it is accepted practice to determine wind effects on and around a building by measurements in a scaled model in a boundary-layer wind tunnel. At large scales of reproduction it is impossible to simulate the entire depth of the atm

Sampling for air exchange rates in a variety of buildings.

Outlines a method for measuring air infiltration using the tracer gas decay technique. SF6 is introduced into a building, and once it is well mixed, container samples of air (in this case plastic bottles) taken over a period of time are analy

A correlation between air infiltration and airtightness for houses in a developed residential area.

Describes air leakage tests performed in 2 similar houses (one with added insulation and increased airtightness) using the fan pressurization method. Air infiltration measurements were also conducted using the tracer gas decay method and CO2

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