Ventilation with outdoor air has been the accepted method for controlling moisture and overheating in residential attics. This is recognized in the Building Code which requires that the total vent area must be l/300th of the attic floor area. However, how much ventilation is provided and how this ventilation affects moisture accumulation in an attic are not well understood. The present study attempts to provide some answers to these questions. The study consists of two parts. First, detailed measurements were carried out in two separate attics located at a field test site.
Many occupants in modern buildings complain about the indoor climate and report medical symptoms which they ascribe to the indoor environment. These symptoms are common in the general population. Technical measurements in the buildings mostly show concentrations and levels within accepted limits. A strategy is needed to handle these problems. One important part of this strategy is to use standardized questionnaires for structuring the information from the occupants.
Changes to Canadian building codes and standards are likely to increase the use of residential ventilation systems by homeowners. This has raised concerns about operating and maintenance costs, particularly because much of the existing residential equipment is not designed for longevity, or energy efficiency. The technical potential for improving the longevity and efficiency of ventilation systems has been documented in other research reports by CMHC.
This document is the final report on a field assessment of proposed revisions to Article 9.32 of the Ontario Building Code. In the fall of 1992, Buchan, Lawton, Parent Ltd. was commissioned by the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, on behalf of a group of Project Partners comprised of government agencies and industry groups1, in order to undertake a field assessment of the residential construction industry's ability to install mechanical ventilation systems for houses to meet the requirements of the proposed Revisions.
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