ventilation

The above new building is described. Main features of this building are shade from trees, south windows catch the breeze in summer and insolation in the winter, insulated foundations, roof and wall insulation, solar collectors toprovide all hot water heating and 75% of space heating, thermally massive walls to stabilise temperature, various natural ventilation and air conditioning options, and storm windows. Energy consumption details are given.

To develop effective monitoring and control programs for indoor radon it is important to understand the causes of the broad range of concentrations that have been observed. Measurements of indoor radon concentration and air-exchange rate in dwellings in several countries indicate that this variability arises largely from differences among structures in the rate of radon entry.

Compares the air change rates measured using the decay method with several different tracer gases. The tracer gas measurements were conducted in atightly sealed room where constant air leakage rates, ranging from 0.05 to 1 air change per hour could be maintained using an exhaust fan. The tracer gases investigated were CH4, CO, CO2, N2O and SF6. The agreement between tracer gas measurements and measured flow rates of the exhaust fan was very good for CH4, CO and N2O.

Volatile organic chemicals in indoor air of a home-for-the-elderly and a new local government office building were identified and quantified using Texax GCR samplers and capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Over three hundred chemicals were tentatively identified in indoor air of thehome-for-the-elderly. Comparison of night-day levels were made. The new office building was also part of a longitudinal study which revealed a rapid decrease in levels with time for some chemicals (after completion) while others increased.

Compares in tables international requirements for housing regarding ventilation requirements of the entire dwelling, plus kitchen, bathrooms and W.C.s, living rooms and bedrooms. Discusses them. Examines the efficiency of ventilation openings and the requirements made on them. Discusses air flow through a house and the effect of wind forces. Notes how effective pressure difference is affected by the distribution of joints and air leaks.

Examines the effects of smoking rate, ventilation, surface deposition, and air cleaning on the indoor concentrations of respirable particulate matter and carbon monoxide generated by cigarette smoke. A general mass balance model is presented which has been extended to include the concept of ventilation efficiency. Following a review of the source and removal terms associated with respirable particulates and carbon monoxide, we compare model predictions to various health guidelines.

The problem of indoor air pollution has many facets, ranging from excess humidity, mould and insects over emissions from gas boilers to high levels of various chemicals in tight buildings. The common denominator of all these problems is the existence of several sources of pollution inside a volume of relatively low dissipative capacity. Where the resulting concentration from a single substance exceeds an already established hygienic standard regulatory measures are straightforward. Assessing the risk of several substances being present at the same time is still difficult.

Summarises in tables the energy consumptions of a block of flats and a single house demonstrating how the share of energy consumed for fresh air heating and domestic hot water supply increases significantly in line with improved thermal insulation.

Describes the pollutant burdens on indoor air. Notes heat exchanges by air renewal and associated heat losses. Examines how to determine the required air change rate. Lists the minimum air changes for various types of building with and without smoking. Treats air infiltration. Considers how to reduce losses with air renewal by weather stripping, special air inlets, reduction of the indoor air temperature, heat recovery with controlled mechanical ventilation, heat pumps and heat pipes.

Examines the most important sources of indoor air pollution in dwellings. These include pollutants introduced with the outside air, pollutants generated by human activity, emissions from building materials, furnishings, cleaning and polishing materials and disinfectants. Notes the importance of keeping formaldehyde and carbon dioxide down to safe levels. Discusses the consequences for the minimum room air change rate.