Discusses standards and testing procedures for window air and water tightness. Describes apparatus used at the Technical Centre for Wood. Gives brief results of airtightness tests on 70 windows of different types subjected to a pressure of 10mm of water and of water tightness tests on 40 windows. Describes a test wall, designed to enable "hurricane" tests to be made. Appendices giveinformation on precipitation in France and discuss water-proofing products.
Describes the six low-energy prototype houses constructed by the Low-Energy Project of the Danish Ministry of Commerce. Occupation of the houses is being simulated for approximately 18 months. Gives photograph, floor plan and description for each house.
Notes that in addition to multiple glazing and storm windows there is a wide range of insulating options available. These products include blinds, shutters, plastic films and shades. Briefly discusses the different products. Gives tables of systems showing manufacturers and performance data.
Air pollution from combustion of fossil fuels can be injurious to health causing damages to air passages. Discusses health risks caused by radon emission in houses. Tables illustrate expected effects of exposure todifferent pollutants, causes of death, 15 years cumulative mortality data, mortality distribution comparison between UK and Sweden, risk of lung cancer caused by radon exposure, and effects on health caused by energy saving methods.
During the period 1973-76, measurements in housing where particle board is used as a building material have revealed a reduction in the formaldehyde content of the indoor atmosphere from 0.64 to 0.40 mg/cu.m. under standard indoor climatic conditions. A corresponding although slighter reduction in therelease of formaldehyde from particle board was found under controlled conditions in climatic chambers. Suggests these improvements in the quality of particle board will suffice to fulfill the proposed limit of 0.40 mg/cu.m.
The heat transfer characteristics of a window system are generally specified by three static measurements; winter U-value, shading coefficient and air infiltration. Outlines methods for measuring these three values. Describes the mobile window test facility, designed to test windows under real weather conditions. The facility consists of a portable test building which can rotate about a central point.The building contains four test rooms with a guard room on each end. Describes the instrumentation and test methods. Construction of the MoWiTT facility is planned for late 1980.
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.
By observing animal housing in severely cold conditions it was realised that an airtight building with mechanical ventilation did not provide the optimum solution, but better results were obtained from porous buildings. Reports aninvestigation made on a large model building simulating the humidity and temperature conditions in animal housing during winter. The model had a porous ceiling of flax straw.
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.
Presents results of measurements of ventilation rates in the SEGAS test house. Describes the house and its heating and mechanical ventilation systems. Measurements of ventilation rates were made using helium as a tracer gas. Tests were made both with the house sealed to block obvious paths of infiltration and with it unsealed. Tests were also made with the house mechanically ventilated and with supply and extract systems working. Presents results of tests and examines the effect of variation in mean wind speed on ventilation rates.