In modern livestock barns, proper indoor air quality is imperative to maintain the health and productivity of farm workers and animals. Some problems related to the health of farm workers have been noticed, especially since the 1970's, coinciding with the rapid changes from small traditional farms to large intensive livestock operations.

The purposes of this Fac tsheet are to describe several farm worker health problems that are related to air quality in side livestock buildings and to consider poss ible methods to alleviate them.

A 1: 20 scale model of a low-rise naturally ventilated building was tested in a wind tunnel. External pressure coefficients were determined for an open model with various combinations of ridge, sidewall and end wall openings, as well as for a sealed model. The pressure distribution is influenced by all structural modifications at various wind angles. The differences between the open and sealed models were pronounced especially at the ridge and the leeward sidewall.

An evaluation of the potential for energy savings in thermal distribution systems in residential and small commercial buildings has been carried out. Thermal distribution systems are the ductwork, piping, or other means used to transport heat or cooling effect from the equipment that produces the heat or cooling to the building spaces in which it is used. This evaluation was divided into four stages.

New Best Practice programme publications from the Energy Efficiency Office provide the building industry with guidance on construction design for well insulated new houses, writes Peter Barton-Wood, BRECSU

Douglas Haughey, BRECSU, highlights the need for authoritative guidance on improving the performance of industrial buildings.

Inadequate controls - by today's standards - are estimated to cost industry and commerce £500 million a year in wasted ener9y. Terry Walters, chairman of the Building Controls Group of the Energy Systems Trade Association, looks at the opportunities in ventilation and air conditioning.