English

Describes factors influencing thermal comfort including temperature and radiation, relative humidity, air speed and turbulence, clothing, other parameters, and the perception of thermal comfort.

This paper describes the first results of a series of laboratory investigations that is performed to characterise three different window types. The results show the air flow conditions for different ventilation strategies and temperature differences. For one of the windows values of the discharge coefficient are shown for both isothermal and non-isothermal flow conditions and the thermal comfort conditions are evaluated by measurements of velocity and temperature levels in the air flow in the occupied zone.

Work carried out in the UK, on behalf of, and fully funded by the Department Transport and Regions, has produced guidelines for the cost effective refurbishment of offices for natural and low energy ventilation. The aim of the work is to counteract the current trend towards the installation of air conditioning when other low energy strategies will provide suitable comfort conditions. This paper shows ways in which comfort conditions can be achieved with zero or minimal energy use in a range of office types, using natural ventilation or simple mechanical low energy systems.

The simulation of room airing (ventilation by means of door/window opening) by means of CFD techniques requires a specially skilled user, because a number of difficulties arise since the first stage of simulations development, when the user is asked to choose the calculation domain and the time step, and choices which in principle appear correct may frequently lead to meaningless results. This work is centered on the 20, transient analysis of a single side enclosure where the ventilation is only due to temperature differences. Wind effect has not been taken into consideration.

The paper presents the results of a study into the effects of unsteady wind pressures on the mean flow rates in certain types of purpose-designed naturally ventilated buildings. The study used non dimensional parameters and the results should therefore cover a wide range of conditions and should be of general application. It is concluded that unsteady) effects are restricted to a relatively narrow band of conditions. These conditions have been quantified in terms of non dimensional parameters.

The international project Annex 35 "Hybrid ventilation in New and Retrofitted Office Buildings was accepted by the IEA at the Energy Conservation in Buildings & Community Systems Executive Committee Meeting in Washington June 1 997. The first year, starting August 1 1997, was a preparatory year and the four year working phase started August 1 998. The Annex have participants from 1 5 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and USA.

Discusses two completed annexes of the IEA Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems Programme, Multi-zone air flow modelling, and Energy efficient ventilation of large enclosures. For the former, it considers the tasks, the algorithm, the user interface, numerical reliability, evaluating potential user difficulties, comparing numerical predictions with experimental data, outcome and conclusions. For the latter, considers background and objectives, the tasks, the design principles guide, analysis and prediction techniques, case studies and outcome and results.