air tightness

A multi-cell calculation model was developed for calculation of the interconnections between airtightness, air change rates, pressure conditions and energy consumption. The flow equation used in the model is quadratic, which can be used as well for a single leakage path as for a whole building envelope. For energy calculation the area of wind directions is divided into12 sectors (each 30 degrees) plus one sector for calm wind conditions. The mean values of wind speed and outside temperature applied to each wind sector are calculated from weather data of several years period.

In these instructions for measuring the airtightness and air change rates in buildings, the principles of measurement methodics, the need for measurements and choosing the correct method for different purposes, are presented. Details of measuring are described for the most common methods: the pressure test, the collector chamber method for measuring local leakages, and the tracer gas methods. In addition, other methods and auxiliary measurements are presented.

The share of ventilation in the energy demand in Finnish building stock is about 50 per cent. An essential part of the ventilation heat losses is uncontrolled due to air infiltration, which only partly serves the demand of ventilation. The aim of improving the airtightness of windows and other leakpoints is to prevent the infiltration. But then, if the supply air intake is not mechanical, certain risks of insufficient ventilation occur. In thereport, the interconnection between the building envelope and ventilation system is studied.

Uses a model to estimate the incremental risk of lung cancer associated with increased radon concentrations in indoor air resulting from decreased air infiltration caused by increased air tightness of dwellings. Gives results for selected changes in the air exchange rate. Discusses findings.