Field measurement of uncontrolled airflow and depressurization in restaurants
- Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL (United States)
- Building Science Corp., Chestnut Hill, MA (United States)
Field investigations were done in seven restaurants (subsample of a study of 63 commercial buildings) to identify uncontrolled airflows and pressure imbalances. Testing included building airtightness tests, identification of building air barrier locations, duct system airtightness, characterization of pressure differentials, building airflow balance, and infiltration/ventilation rates. All restaurants were found to operate at negative pressures that ranged from {minus}0.003 in. w.c. ({minus}0.8 Pa) to {minus}0.173 in. w.c. ({minus}43 Pa) and averaged {minus}0.051 in. w.c. ({minus}12.7 Pa) under normal operation. The variables that affect depressurization are large exhaust fans, missing or undersized make up air, intermittent outdoor air caused by the cycling of air handlers, dirty outdoor air and make up air filters, and building airtightness. These uncontrolled airflows and pressure imbalances impact energy use, ventilation rates, sizing of heating and air-conditioning systems, indoor comfort, relative humidity, moisture damage to building materials, mold and mildew growth, operation of combustion equipment, and indoor air quality.
- OSTI ID:
- 392515
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960254-; TRN: IM9647%%369
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Winter meeting of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA (United States), 17-21 Feb 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of ASHRAE transactions 1996: Technical and symposium papers. Volume 102, Part 1; PB: 1278 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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