standard

Relations between indoor neutral temperatures and outdoor temperatures are currently proposed as an "adaptive standard" to supplement ASHRAE Standard 55-1992. They rest on the 1998 ASHRAE database. Humphreys and Nicol drew attention to the depression of the regression coefficient by measurement and formulaic error in thermal comfort indices. This paper applies their suggested correction, and improves the precision of the relations. Comparison is made with similar relations from earlier data. The relation for unheated, naturally ventilated buildings has remained unchanged.

The new Guideline VDI 6022 contains hygienic standards for ventilation and air-conditioning systems. The requirements for the planning, design, operation and maintenance of ventilation and air-conditioning systems and their components are dealt with to ensure a hygienic condition according to the state of the art. The Guideline is subdivided as follows:

• part 1 Offices and assembly rooms (published 07 /98)
• part 2 Standards for Hygiene training (published 12/98 as a draft)
• part 3 Factories (activities have been started 01/99)

This paper presents a synopsis of the content of the New Zealand Standard for Energy Efficiency in Large Buildings. This new standard is purported to be 'descriptive'. The paper outlines the three permissible methods for demonstrating compliance with the Standard's requirements. Disadvantages of this approach are stated and an alternative proposal is suggested.

Condensation phenomena on internal surfaces of buildings are becoming recurrent eventualities in contemporary buildings, particularly in residential buildings. Despite the general belief, this accumulation of water on walls is not mainly due to mass migration from outdoor to indoor, but to a modification of behavioural approaches of people, especially referring to the preferred air temperature.

Proceedings of a seminar held on 28 October 1999, at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Headquarters, London.

In a fitting tribute to the new millennium, ASHRAE issued ASHRAE/ IESN A Standard 90 .1-1999, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings at the Winter Meeting in Dallas in February. This new version of Standard 90.1 represents ten years of effort on the part of the project committee that completely revised the previous 1989 version of the standard.