Data has been obtained on the radon concentration in natural gas supplied to several metropolitan areas in the United States. The average value of 20pCi/l was selected to estimate the contribution of this source of natural radioactivity to doses from radon daughters received by individuals in homes. Radon daughter concentrations in the home atmosphere were calculated by use of computer programs for an 800 cu.ft. house in which 27 cu.ft. of gas per day was used for cooking in an unvented kitchen range.

Outlines in general terms the ventilation characteristics of typical British houses. Discusses energy losses through conduction and ventilation. Shows that excess energy consumption over that predicted theoretically can be partly accounted for by the British habit of opening windows. Reports program to investigate factors influencing the amount of window opening. Suggests new integrated approach to energy on the home.

Presents the results of an energy-efficiency survey of 25 homes located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Insulation levels in the walls, ceilings and basements were measured and the economics of adding insulation to these areas were investigated. Air leakage of the houses was measured using a pressure test and compared with infiltration rates measured using tracer gas in fourhouses.< Concludes that a major portion of the heat loss (30-40%) in the average home was due to excessive infiltration.

CAFE is a suite of computer programs, developed by Atkins Research and Development, to solve engineering problems involving fluid flow and heat transfer. Based on a finite difference method, its main advantage over other programs is its generality, which enables problems requiring a variety of different boundary conditions to be studied.< Describes the mathematical formulation of the program and its major features. Gives examples of its application including modelling the ventilation of a building to reduce concentrations of dangerous gases.

Describes the computer program developed for the Fire Research Station by Scientific Control Systems Ltd. to predict the movement of smoke from a fire in a building. This can be run ineither deterministic or stochastic modes.< Explains the physical model used to describe the movement of smoke through a building and outlines the computer technique used to solve the resulting equations. Presents some preliminary results obtained with the model and considers possible improvements. Discusses applications of the model.

The potential for air conditioning energy savings using exhaust fans to cool attics was investigated in six occupied townhouses at Twin Rivers. These houses were compared with similar houses without attic fans. The houses had various levels of instrumentation. Data collected for two summer months in 1977 was the basis for this study. The principal quantities measured were attic and living space temperatures, air conditioner and attic fan usage,together with outside air temperature and solar flux.

Describes an instrument for the measurement of air infiltration into buildings. The instrument indicates the concentration of a tracer gas in the building, by sensing the thermal conductivity of the air-tracer gas mixture.< The instrument, a Katharometer, has not been extensively used because of inherent difficulties. This thesis examines the dificulties. An analysis of the theoretical basis of the instrument is made and the problems created by changes of relative humidity, pressure and temperature are discussed and solutions are suggested.

Reports a program of research in progress at the Colorado State University to determine the surface pressures on building models immersed in a simulated atmospheric flow. Pressure data on a model building is taken from 272 tappings and reduced to pressure coefficients. Reports pressure coefficient measurements have been completed for 23 building/boundary layer combinations.

Reports a series of tests of the air leakage of new homes built and sold in the Ottawa area in 1978. The homes were tested by depressurizing them to apressure difference of 10 Pascals. 80 tests were made involving 63 houses and 9 builders. The relative tightness of a house was defined as the volume rate of infiltration under 10 Pa divided by the area of the building envelope that separates the heated volume from outside conditions. Gives results with relative tightness of each house.

The open ridge is a ventilator commonly used in cattle buildings. Reviews literature on the open ridge. Finds that there is outright disagreement between the sources referenced. Describes wind tunnel study to show whether or not the ridge design could influence the pressure coefficients when subject to wind. Finds there is no practical difference in pressure coefficients generated at the ridge of a building whether there are no upstands, upstands alone or with caps. For a 0deg.