A study on the outdoor air supply for occupants in buildings. Experimental studies

The amount of outdoor air supply required in rooms were no one was smoking and only body odour was pesented was investigated using a climate chamer, under clean room conditions. Ten subjects were confined in the room and five panels outside of the room stated the odour level in the sampled air from theroom when compared to clean air. Experiments were performed in four steps of 5,10, 20 and 30 CMH per person. Room temperature was either 22-23 deg C or 32-33 deg C with a relative humidity of 50-60%. The higher temperature was used to study the influence of body odour in sweat.

Direct electric heating in one and two-family dwellings, low-temperature heating systems in buildings Direktelvarme i smahus, lagtemperaturuppi varmning ave byggnader m m

The Act (1981.592) on amendments in the Building Ordinance (1959:612) and implementing regulations appertaining thereto in the Building Code come into force on 1st January 1984. The regulations apply only to permanently used houses. 

Energy conservation intensifies the problem caused by radon in dwellings

Sources of radon and the high levels of radon in many locations and building materials in Sweden are considered. Improvements in energy conservation through the reduction of ventilation rate have lead to very high levels of radon over 1000 BqRnD/m3 in some houses. Recommendations on acceptable levels of gamma radiation on building sites and radon concentration in dwellings are given. It is estimated that there are 30-40,000 dwellings over the Swedish recommended limit of 400 BqRnD/m3 requiring modification.

Easy to fix winter heat leaks in the home

Air leaks which can bypass attic insulation in US wood framed houses are identified. Examples of heat loss paths include gaps at the entry of plumbing, heating or cooling ducts and electrics gaps around flues, and trapdoors. Remedial measures discussed include stuffing gaps with fibreglass, weatherstripping, taping polythene sheet over gaps, sealing and insulating ducts, and covering ceiling fan vents during the winter.

Design of inlets and outlets and their regulation in conjunction with natural ventilation in live stock buildings

A livestock building for 30 cows in loose housing was constructed in 1982. In the cow stable natural ventilation is provided through openings along the eaves. New types of inlets and outllets have been designed for natural ventilation systems. The regulation system for the air flow rate is a modified P-type regulator. Using timesharing of the regulation function, the inlet areas can be regulated in groups by means of four different temperature sensors in the building.

Ventilation in industrial buildings. Final report

The problems associated with the measurement of ventilation rates and air movement patterns in large single cell buildings which were unoccupied and unheated were investigated using the tracer gases nitrous oxide and sulphur hexafluoride. 

Air tightness tests on 200 new houses across Canada. Summary of results

A database on the airtightness performance of houses built according to current construction practices (1980 to 82) was established, province by province, across Canada. Airtightness tests were conducted using the fan-depressurisation method and the results were compared by province, builder, house style, and house size. The survey shows considerable variation in the leakiness of the houses when the results are compared by province. Less variation in airtightness exists when the houses are compared by builder, house style, and house size on a provincial basis.

Indoor climate Inomhusklimat

Describes expectations people have of indoor climate. Notes that the quality of indoor climate has often taken second place to fashionable architectural and material considerations. Refers to concern for improved environment and awareness of formaldehyde, radon and other pollutants and the need for correct ventilation to achieve derived air quality. Proves guidelines for air quality and the thermal indoor climate in both housing and working premises.

The relation between emission-rates of organic gases etc from building materials and their concentrations in the indoor environment

Individual mathematical models for formaldehyde concentrations in each of 3 normal rooms in a single family house is used to estimate ventilation rates needed to maintain formaldehyde concentration below the recommended Danish indoor standard (0.15 mg/m3). In an initial period after the house was finished a ventilation rate more than 10x the recommended Scandinavian maximum value (0.5 ach) was needed to keep the concentration below the indoor standard.

Airing a problem

States that current building regulations on ventilation are very inadequate. Describes the Scottish Development Department document The future of building control in Scotland. This proposes a local authority liaison committee with reps from building control and fire services to co-ordinate work on operating building control in Scotland. It also recommends approval of standard house types of different conditions between authorities. Suggests this could usefully be introduced to England and Wales.

Pages