English

At the start of the measurements, the airtightness of the box was determined, achieving an n50 value of 0.79. Then the airtightness was progressively worsened by drilling (small holes, diameter of 12 / 25 mm and larger openings, diameter 100 mm) and the soundproofing quality of the roof measured. Airtightness was steadily reduced...

High standards of airtightness for building envelopes protect occupants against common outdoor air pollutants - especially pollen and mildew spores that occur seasonally in high concentrations and can penetrate indoor spaces. For nitrogen dioxide and ozone, too, for which there are spatial and temporal concentration peaks...

The importance of an airtight building envelope will, with growing awareness of energy efficiency in all European countries, continue to increase. Experience with testing small detached or two-unit houses is available in most countries. An English-language literature source on Measuring the airtightness of buildings has been...

In all areas, concern is growing on the rising numbers of mould occurrences in residential buildings. A new survey has provided statistically reliable quantitative German data for the first time, according to which almost every tenth apartment is affected by mould. For 5.8% (around 2.2 million apartments) there was a connection between...

Mould during the construction phase must be recognised by all those involved in the project as a defect that can usually, but not always, be avoided. Mould will grow on most building materials and products with organic components if conditions allow; the only really resistant materials are mineral, alkaline (e.g., cement-tempered...

This paper will present current procedures on the main amendments in the forthcoming Energieeinsparverordnung (German energy-saving ordinance) for 2009, as they stood at the publication deadline of 30 April 2008, along with the main changes to certification procedures in residential and non-residential construction. The new series...

Good envelope airtightness is a prerequisite for energy efficiency and effective ventilation of buildings. Through the implementation of specific national requirements, airtightness has evolved positively in many countries, while the European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings and its associated CEN standards...

This paper starts with a short explanation of how sick buildings and mould were, brought to the focus of the general public in 1993. The media have played a major role in publicizing problems with damp and run-down buildings. Due to this massive media bombardment the general public in Denmark is, compared to the rest of Europe...

According to the recent conclusions of the 'Grenelle de l’Environnement', the energy performance of buildings has become very recently a major concern in France. As a matter of fact, building’s airtightness is now explicitly considered as one of the two levers, with thermal bridges, that will lead French buildings toward higher energy efficiency...

In order to determine the causes of SHS (Sick House Syndrome), a field survey on indoor air quality and health conditions of occupants has been conducted for 8 years in 77 detached wooden houses in Japan. The result of this survey had been reported partly in the proceedings of Indoor Air 2008. In most of these houses...