Discusses sources of radon in buildings and the prediction of levels of radon and daughters. Derives differential equations governing the decay and venting of radon and its daughters. A computer program based on these equations has been written to predict radon and daughter concentrations, total potential alpha energy concentration and equilibrium factor. The program can account for time dependence of ventilation and emanation rates and is readily used by building designers.
The local ventilation efficiency of a mechanical ventilation system may in general terms be defined as "providing air in those parts of a room where it is required". In this paper different definitions of the local ventilation efficiency and methods for measuring it are discussed. Presents results from measurements of ventilation efficiency. A test room was mechanically ventilated and nitrous oxide used as a tracer gas. A number of sensors were placed in the room with the aim of determining the variations in the air change rates within the room.
Reports study of the energy consumption and ventilation requirements of typical existing public schools in New York. Electricity and fuel-oil consumption data from May 1970 to April 1973 from 19 schools were analysed.
Notes one of the principal ways in which members of the public receive natural irradiation is by breathing the decay products of radon 222. Reviews data on radiation exposure and the incidence of cancer for uranium miners. Discusses uncertainties and inadequacies in the data. Gives estimates for the incidence of lung cancer in the general public, caused by radon exposure.
Reports measurements of air leakage rates in the four energy-conservation research houses using the fan pressurization method. One of the houses is standard for the area and the other three houses have added insulation and vapour barriers. One house has a heat pump and one an air-to-air solar heating system. Air infiltration rates were measured in two of the houses using CO2 as a tracer gas. Discusses results and compares tracer gas with pressurization tests.
Defines the method to be used for the air permeability testing of windows to be fitted in exterior walls and supplied in the form of completely assembled and finished units. Describes apparatus, test method and expression of results.
Reports measurements of radon daughters in air. The daughters were collected on filters for different lengths of time. A silicon semiconductor detector and the etch foil technique were used to measure the alpha particles from the radon daughters. Finds that alpha particle concentrations in living rooms have the same variation with time as outdoors.
Reviews the topic of indoor air quality as it relates to energy efficient homes. Discusses air pollution from combustion, airborne particles, formaldehyde and radon. Concludes that indoor air quality in existing homes and those currently being constructed, can be managed so as to avoid adverse effects on the occupants.
Discusses use of an instrumented energy audit, as opposed to a walk-through audit. Describes use of the audit to pinpoint infiltration sites. Method used is to depressurize a building and use thermography to locate air leaks. Briefly describes equipment and gives example of an instrumented audit of a residential building. States advantage of instrumented audit is that it gives a quantitative energy analysis as opposed to a qualitative one.
An anemometer which was developed for indoor climate research has been modified in order to get the same shape of calibration curve for each anemometer. Experiments in a wind tunnel showed that this was the case for more than 80% of a test series of the modified anemometers. The time constant has increased but is still acceptable. Calibration curves and time constants could be predicted by calculation with reasonable accuracy. Some influence of dust particles on the instrument was noticed.
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