tracer gas

Describes the two major methods of measuring air leakage in buildings; the tracer gas method and the pressure method. The three ways of using tracer gas are with decreasing gas concentration, constant gas concentration, and with constant gasrelease. In Sweden nitrous oxide is normally used. The results of the tracer gas method may depend on the weather at the time of measurement. The pressure method is fast and accurate, but only gives the total leakage through the building. Local differences can be detected by use of infrared photography.

Reports measurements in seven groups of town house in Gavle, Sweden of concentrations of radon and daughter products. Gives results with the type of building materials, the ventilation systems and air-change rates measured using nitrous oxide as a tracer gas. Gives formula for the permitted limits of radionucleides in building materials. Discussed results and concludes that the concentration of radon does not differ significantly from single family to multi-family houses.

Reports measurements of air change rates made in the tower of an eleven-storey building using sulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas. Inside to outside pressure differences were also monitored as a function of temperature and wind speed. Gives expression for autumn and winter air change rate as a function of windspeed. Reports finding that wind direction and stack effect had little effect on the air change rate. In this building toilet exhausts and other weather independent mechanisms were more important than natural infiltration.

Presents method for collecting air infiltration data in a large sample of dwellings. The method consists of a tracer gas dilution technique using sulphur hexafluoride and employing air sample bags which are analyzed in a central laboratory. Themethod is easy to perform and inexpensive and will be used in approximately 300 dwellings on 16 sites to give air exchange rates under typical heating season conditions. Presents preliminary data on air infiltration rates in low-income housing in Portland, Maine.

Summarizes measurements made on a flat. These include inside to outside temperature and pressure differences, infiltration rates using helium as a tracer gas, duration of opening windows and doors and weather conditions. Also describes wind tunnel measurements made on a model of the building with and without obstacles and terrain roughness.

Describes automated instrumentation using sulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas in residential housing to determine rates of air infiltration in houses. Discusses in detail the principles of operation, necessary calibration procedures and early field data. Concentration levels of SF6 are maintained at the partsper million level in the buildings and are measured by sensitive electron capture detectors in conJunction with a gas chromatograph.

Discusses toxic and flammable gases and vapours that lead to hazards in buildings. Examines trends in accidental deaths in the home in England and Wales from gas poisoning. Discusses influence of buoyancy on the dilution by ventilation air of accidental leaks of toxic and flammable gases and shows where buoyancy dominates layers can readily form. Presents theoretical results for controlling gas hazards in buildings by ventilation for a wide range of practical situations.

Reports results of studies conducted in Switzerland in small apartment buildings. Air change rates were measured in ten different apartment buildings using N2O as a tracer gas. Measurements were taken for various wind conditions andtemperature differences and with the windows partly open. Finds that ventilation rate increased by a factor of 4 when the windows on one facade were opened by only a few centimetres.

The airtightness of windows is an important feature in deciding habitability. in additional to the conventional, the window sashes featuring improved soundproofing and insulation performance have appeared. Summarizes the results of measurements of the air-tightness of these sashes made using carbon dioxide as a tracer gas, as well as double sliding and single sliding windows using actual size samples. Explains experimental apparatus and measuring method.

Proposes a method for measuring the rate of air change in factories using ammonia as a tracer gas and measuring its rate of decay by a colorimetric method. The advantage is that extremely small quantities can be detected. The method is cheap, easy to use, reasonably accurate and unobjectionable to the occupants.