The prediction of energy use, air flows and temperatures in different rooms of a building andat different climatic conditions is very important, especially when evaluating new conceptsfor heating and ventilation systems in combination with different building envelopeconstructions. A thorough system analysis considering coupled air flow and thermalcalculations becomes very complex if e.g. thermal bridges and dynamic conditions areconsidered.
The Air Lock Floor and the Pressure Ring are two effective measures for control of air flow directions between rooms or zones in buildings. They create a pressure hierarchy that controls spread of pollutants. Here an example has been given for radon from a crawl space, odours from a bakery into a dwelling above and an isolation chamber with a leaky facade. The Air Lock floor can operate with a 7 W fan and at the same time extractthe normal dwelling ventilation flowrate. Used in the ground floor, the Air Lock Floor results in a warmer floor and contributes to energy savings.
This paper reports on ventilation measurements taken beneath a suspended timber floor of a BRE/DoE energy and environment test house. Sulphur hexafluoride was introduced into the subfloor void at a constant rate and the resulting concentration measured. Wind speed, wind direction, and internal, external and subfloor temperatures were also recorded. A range of air brick locations were used for each run which lasted two to three days.
The ventilation of a Swedish single family house is investigated by means of tracer gas and pressurization techniques. The ventilation flow plays an important role in this house as it enters through a dynamic loft insulation and exits via the crawl space. This design is said to give preheated and clean supply air, warm floors and good energy efficiency. But to meet these promises, it is essential that the air really flows in the intended paths. A single tracer gas technique is used to determine the air flow rates.
Login