Reviews results of tests carried out during a joint industry/university project. Discusses characteristics of single and two-component foam, airtightness, condensation and safety regulations since polyurethane foam contains isocyanates. Diagram illustrates typical cross-section through window frame under normal conditions and when conditioned at 15 deg. C and 65% R.H.

Gives results of a statistical survey of energy consumption in British government buildings. Suggests one reason for high consumption may be excessive ventilation. Reports field trial of the effect of reducing natural ventilation in a London office building. Window frames were sealed with a rubber mastic, giving an annual fuel saving of 22%. Finds measure was highly cost effective with a payback period of less than three years.< Discusses problem of heat loss through large doors in hangars and workshops.

Assesses the role of natural ventilation in modern hospitals. Considers optimum standards of air change rates for winter and summer conditions and reviews factors within the hospital context that are likely to affect the achievement of natural ventilation. Notes an air change rate of 1.5/hr. is usually assumed for heat loss calculation. Finds cross ventilation is unlikely to be achieved and designs should be based on single sided ventilation. Reports tracer gas measurements of natural ventilation in Southland Hospital, Shoreham by Sea.

Briefly reviews factors to be taken into account in considering natural ventilation in commercial and industrial buildings. These factors include the location of the building, surrounding buildings, activity within the building and results required of the installation. Notes some of the problems andpossible advantages of combining natural and fan powered systems.

Outlines factors influencing natural ventilation rates. Discusses techniques for measuring natural ventilation. Gives results of pressure measurements, made by the Building Research Establishment, of the leakage of houses and of tracer gas measurement of room ventilation rates. Discusses variation in air leakage rates with time. Gives results of measurements of the distribution of air leakage between components of the building shell.

The requirement for better methods of predicting infiltration and natural ventilation rates has been reinforced by the incentive to reduce energy consumption in buildings. Natural ventilation is basically dependent on the effects of wind and temperature difference and on the resistance to airflow through the building. Discusses in detail these factors and highlights areas requiring further study. Briefly illustrates energy savings available by controlling natural ventilation.

Reviews ventilation criteria for occupied buildings. Considers minimum ventilation for the control of carbon dioxide, odours, cigarette smoke, moisture and radon. Discusses future work to improve ventilation routes.

Steeply sloping ventilated roofs are preferred for single and two-family houses in West Germany. Notes lack of any scientifically substantiated notions concerning physical laws governing air exchange between ventilated zones and outside air. Describes air flow and heat transfer investigations in a 48 deg. sloping roof. Gives details of roof constructions. Illustrates roof space and distribution of thermocouples and arrangement for injecting tracer gas. Describes experimental procedure. Provides some measurement results. Compares theoretical bases with experimental results.

Treats drawbacks of current methods used in East Germany of calculating vapour barriers used to protect building elements from condensation. Notes building materials for which moisture absorbed in winter is sufficient to cause condensation damage before it has diffused in summer. Develops method based on calculation model of determining direct relation between any period of condensation and requisite vapour barriers. In addition amount of wateraccumulated during condensation period can also be determined.

The Alberta Home Heating Research Facility consists of six uninhabited wood frame single storey modules with full basements. Describes the modules which are designed to test domestic heating strategies in a northern climate. Reports a series of preliminary measurements of infiltration rate using SF6 as a tracer gas and measuring the rate of decay of the gas. Future studies are planned using SF6 in constant concentration.