By-product gypsum, produced as a waste in the phosphate industry, could be used in bulk as a building material but it has a higher radium content than other building material. Reports an analysis of the dose rate that would result if gypsum were used for a two-storey, three-bedroom, centre terrace house. Discusses the dose from beta radiation, gamma radiation and radon gas,assuming one air change per hour.

An automated air infiltration measurement system for large buildings isdescribed. The system consists of a micro-computer, electron capture gaschromatograph, a ten port sampling manifold, and five tracer gas injectionunits. The system controls the injection and sampling of tracer gas in amulti-zone building, calculates the air infiltration rates of each zone, andmeasures the on-time of events such as HVAC fan operation, exhaust fan operation,and door/window openings.

States condensation caused by high humidity is a major problem in British homes. Describes a conventional heat pump dehumidifier for removing moisture from the air. Describes the advanced dehumidifier developed by the Electricity Council Research Centre which is designed to work in cold damp conditions typical of British winters. Gives details of the design and reports that tests of a prototype show that the design is more than twice as effective in terms of litres of water extracted per unit energy than conventional designs.

Describes method for calculating the adventitious ventilation of a building using information from a pressurization test. The method requires a knowledge of the surface pressures on a building, calculated from wind speed and direction, the inside-outside temperature difference, and the distribution and characteristics of openings in the building shell. Applies formulae to threebuildings and finds a great dependence of infiltration on wind direction. Discusses the effect of wind and stack effect, separately and combined.

This work deals with different aspects of air movements in building components. The investigation shows to what degree the concept of fluid mechanics can be applied to problems concerning air flows in building componenets. The applicable parts of fluid mechanics are presented as thoroughly as possible. Based on this concept, routines are outlined to make it possible to handle complex flow and pressure distribution problems. Both manual and computer calculation routines are described and the way they can be used is demonstrated in a number of examples.

Describes the current research programme of the Laboratory concerning air infiltration and ventilation. Gives some technical details. The programme consists of three main projects: 1) The development of mathematical calculation models to predict the interconnections between air tightness, ventilation, air change rates, pressure conditions and energy consumption. This model will be tested in practice. 2) The development of airtight structures and structural joints and sealing methods. Evaluation of theeconomical effects of airtightness is also included in this project.

Ventilation measurements in new Swedish houses show that they seldom fulfill minimum requirements of 0.5 air changes per. hour applicable to specific housing classifications. Basic natural ventilation is often used. Discusses consequent problems including condensation and humidity, excess radon daughters and formaldehyde content in the room air. Notes future demands for systems to include heat exchangers.

In some buildings in Canada ventilation systems are being operated with the outside air supply dampers completely closed during winter to reduce ventilation and hence conserve energy. Reports measurements of the carbon dioxide concentrations in the classrooms of a small elementary school, when the outside air-supply damper was closed, to assess whether ventilation was adequate. Concentrations were found to be well below the maximum accepted occupational standard of 0.5% and air infiltration gave an adequate fresh air supply.

Reports measurements of air infiltration and leakage using tracer gas and the pressurization technique in a three bedroom townhouse having a gas-fired forced-air furnace system. The measurements were made in order to quantify the amount of infiltration due to various mechanisms.

Examines the problem of defining a mean wind speed which reflects the general characteristics of the surrounding terrain for the particular case of the area around Sheffield University. This problem has arisen in connection with the data analysis procedures for a full-scale wind force measurement project where a reference wind speed is required for data presentation.< Compares the mean wind structure over the area, taken from wind tunnel models with an analysis of data from three anemometers on site.