In Finland there are not yet any regulations or standards concerning the airtightness of buildings. Drafts have caused discussion about whether controlled airtightness would increase the building costs too much, and improved airtightness worsen the indoor air quality. In modern Finnish buildings a good or satisfactory airtightness can be achieved with normal careful workmanship. To secure good indoor air quality, a functioning ventilation system is also necessary. There seems to be no return to traditional 'breathing' structures and natural ventilation.
A survey of literature on the theory and practice of residential ventilation. The three main topics are ventilation needs, air movement in buildings, and the properties of ventilation systems. The ventilation need under winter conditions is estimated at 0.35 l/s m2 or, for a dwelling with kitchen and bath, 35 l/s. In fact, ventilation requirements are not constant but it is difficult to find a formula covering the various considerations.
An investigation of the minimum fresh air supply per person required to prevent the occurrence of unacceptably offensive odour due to stale air in offices and similar buildings. The study was made under everyday conditions as far as possible, in different buildings, various size rooms, different densities of occupancy, with men or men and women, and with mechanical or natural ventilation.
In this paper, an empirical method is proposed which qualifies the thermal performance of buildings through the entire year. The thermal quality parameter (BTPI) is intended to be an instrument for the implementation of new energy regulations for buildings, especially for those that are located in areas with mild climate and no heating or air conditioning systems. Portuguese climatic zones are typified for summer and winter and predominance factors for seasonal loads are defined.
Briefly notes the significance of ventilation heat losses for energy consumption. Notes the main sources of air pollutants in indoor air and the recommended fresh air rates per person for housing, for smokers and non-smokers. Notes the need for a well-sealed facade with mechanical ventilation and for judicious facade leakiness in the absence of mechanical ventilation. Notes the long-term need is for improved control of air infiltration. Notes briefly the AIC publication "Air infiltration control in housing".
Describes the work of the Department of Climate and Building Services of the National Swedish Institute for Building Research. Full scale trials, field measurement and measurement technology and methods applied to indoor climate are described. Research on airtight buildings, radon, air quality and efficient ventilation, occupant requirements and effects on human performance is also summarised. Dummies are used to measure heat transport to or from parts of the body, and for measurement of humidity.
Describes expectations people have of indoor climate. Notes that the quality of indoor climate has often taken second place to fashionable architectural and material considerations. Refers to concern for improved environment and awareness of formaldehyde, radon and other pollutants and the need for correct ventilation to achieve derived air quality. Provides guidelines for air quality, and the thermal environment in both housing and working premises.
Sources of radon and the high levels of radon in many locations and building materials in Sweden are considered. Improvements in energy conservation through the reduction of ventilation rate have lead to very high levels of radon over 1000 BqRnD/m3 in some houses. Recommendations on acceptable levels of gamma radiation on building sites and radon concentration in dwellings are given. It is estimated that there are 30-40,000 dwellings over the Swedish recommended limit of 400 BqRnD/m3 requiring modification.
Describes expectations people have of indoor climate. Notes that the quality of indoor climate has often taken second place to fashionable architectural and material considerations. Refers to concern for improved environment and awareness of formaldehyde, radon and other pollutants and the need for correct ventilation to achieve derived air quality. Proves guidelines for air quality and the thermal indoor climate in both housing and working premises.
An estimate of the variation of non smokers' lung cancer risk from passive or involuntary smoking is given as a function of ventilation rate in a typical office, at an occupancy of 7 persons/100m2 as specified under ASHRAE standard 62-1981.
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