Elucidates many different aspects of formaldehyde occurrence, such as, comparable indoor air pollutants, complaints and investigations, coherence with ventilation rate and construction, chipboard types, qualities and prices, differing European directives on board composition, chipboard in cold and warm types of flat roofs.

Caulks and sealants are used to fill and seal joints, in order to prevent draughts and the intrusion of rain and dust. There are two types of joints; non-working joints in which there is little or no movement of the joined parts, and working joints which are designed to allow movement. Discusses for each type of joint, factors to consider when selecting a sealant and suitable types of material.

The traditional vapour barrier is designed to be a barrier to the diffusion of water vapour. The air-vapour barrier also prevents the natural infiltration of air. Section one of this report discusses air-vapour barriers, the management of air in a tightly sealed house, the positioning of the barrier and testing procedures and standards. Section two gives detailed descriptions and diagrams of the installation of an air-vapour barrier at all parts of a house construction. Includes 123 figures showing precise positioning and installation of the barrier.

Describes a method, derived from bibliographical research, for air infiltration calculation in a multistorey building. The method may be used both for computer calculations, in order to determine the building thermal balance hour by hour, and for steady state hand calculations. Analytical and experimental relations have been examined for the determination of the air flow rate due to wind and stack effect.

Considers that air change measurement by means of tracer gas is the best way of measuring natural air infiltration in buildings. In some cases the method can be useful for measuring the ventilating air rate in mechanical systems asno interference with the system is required by the method. Deals with the theory of the method, the handling and measurement of different gases, cost of gas and instruments. Concludes by saying that only very simple instrumentation is required for most of the measurements with satisfactory accuracy.

The local ventilation efficiency of a mechanical ventilation system may in general terms be defined as "providing air in those parts of a room where it is required". In this paper different definitions of the local ventilation efficiency and methods for measuring it are discussed. Presents results from measurements of ventilation efficiency. A test room was mechanically ventilated and nitrous oxide used as a tracer gas. A number of sensors were placed in the room with the aim of determining the variations in the air change rates within the room.

Discusses sources of radon in buildings and the prediction of levels of radon and daughters. Derives differential equations governing the decay and venting of radon and its daughters. A computer program based on these equations has been written to predict radon and daughter concentrations, total potential alpha energy concentration and equilibrium factor. The program can account for time dependence of ventilation and emanation rates and is readily used by building designers.

Gives a general description of air-to-air heat exchangers. Discusses criteria for measuring the performance of heat exchangers. Briefly discusses factors affecting actual performance. Describes the heat exchanger facility atLawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Reports tests on four commercially available heat exchangers and one home-made exchanger. Gives results of tests of effectiveness and airstream static pressure drop. Concludes that heat exchangers with performance characteristics superior to those tested can be manufactured for a reasonable cost.

Tests carried out during the sixties and seventies showed that there was a correlation between lung cancer and the existence of radon gas in mines and that there was radon gas in homes built of aerated concrete based on slate. This led to political activity with regulations for limits on emanation in new, re-built and existing buildings. Provisions were also made for grants to help house owners finance the improvements specified.< In the new bye-laws, SBN 80, gamma radiation is not to exceed 50 mu.R/h, the radon content is not to exceed an annual mean of 70 Bq/cu.m.

Describes some of the problems encountered when the full-scale wind pressure measuring system was set up in an experimental building at the University of Hong Kong. Discusses effects such as excessive damping caused by the air trapped in the pressure- balancing tubings, and the interference between transducers. Describes modifications of the measuring system to overcome these problems.