Past research (ASHRAE RP-884) demonstrated that occupants of naturally ventilated buildings are comfortable in a wider range of temperatures than occupants of buildings with centrally controlled HVAC systems. However, the exact influence of personal control in explaining these differences could only be hypothesized because of the limits of the existing field study data that formed the basis of that research. The objective of ASHRAE RP-1161 was to quantitatively investigate how

Designing semi-outdoor environments such as atria or open-style cafes is a popular technique in modern architecture to provide occupants with natural outdoor elements in an artificialenvironment. Occupants are likely to expect a thermal environment differing from the indoors, and thermal adaptation is expected to play a major role in achieving comfort.Seasonal field surveys were conducted in four semi-outdoor environments for short-term occupancy with different levels of environmental control. Observations were made on occupancy conditions and clothing adjustments.

For static smoke exhaust systems, such as horizontal ceiling vents, buoyancy of the smoke layer is the driving force for smoke removal. However, wind effect should also be considered, as the smoke layer interface height can be raised up or pulled down, depending on the conditions. Key equations on calculating the smoke exhaust rates and the required vent area will be reviewed first in this paper. Modifications of those equations with wind effects are discussed. An atrium is taken as an

A collaborative effort between Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Tuskegee University has resulted in an energy-efficient, healthy house that is built on Tuskegees experiment station farm to conduct various energy efficiency and indoor air quality studies. The house is well insulated and possesses other energy-efficient features, such as airtight construction, reflective roofing, and unventilated crawlspace. The energy efficiency and thermal performance of the house are investigated in view of electric power consumption as well as indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity data.

This paper investigates the generation of typical meteorological years (TMYs) and example weather years (EWYs) for Hong Kong, and studies their effects on the simulation results of the performance of building energy and renewable energy systems, i.e., solar and wind energy systems. According to various methodologies, different TMYs and EWYs were calculated using Hong Kongs weather data from the past 22 years. The results were used for a building energy simulation and for a

This paper provides an overview of existing guidance, regulations, and design approaches to control diesel exhaust from locomotives operating in buildings. First, design guidance and standards for exposure to major components of diesel exhaust are reviewed. Next, issues regarding engine design, fuel composition, and outdoor emissions control strategies and their potential impact on current and future indoor emissions are discussed. Ventilation approaches that have been implemented in existing facilities are also presented.

This paper presents an integrated damper and pressure reset (IDPR) method for variable air volume (VAV) system fan control. The IDPR method controls the static pressure at a minimum required level while maintaining at least one terminal box damper at full open position. When the entire system

In tropical humid climates, moisture and condensation on walls lead to significant damage of buildings. The purpose of this article is to present a numerical model to improve the prediction of internal humidity in buildings. Thermal simulation codes usually evaluate moisture due only to airflow transfers. The model presented takes into account the moisture transfers between walls and air inside a zone. It allows a forecast of the quantities of liquid condensed on a surface. An experimental comparison is presented to appreciate the improvement of the model.

Removing smoke at the early stage of a building fire would assist in evacuation. Mechanical smoke extraction systems are commonly installed in larger buildings. In designing such a system, makeup air must be provided to displace the hot smoke.However, air supplied would also provide additional oxygen for combustion. Therefore, it is important to study how air should be supplied. In this paper, the efficiency of mechanical exhaust in anatrium with different arrangements for air supply will be discussed.

Airborne particulate matter has been implicated as a major contributor to the increased incidence of respiratory disorders among people working in livestock buildings. A clear understanding of particle spatial distribution can provide important information for improvement of ventilation system
design and control strategies. In this study, the dust mass spatial distributions in three different ventilation systems were measured using a multi-point sampler in a full-scale mechanically
ventilated laboratory room under controlled conditions.