Indoor Ventilation and

Sound Quality
UNIT -04
Ventilation
Types of ventilation
• Indoor ventilation
• Natural ventilation
• Passive Design strategies to achieve good ventilation
• Hybrid

Sound
• Noise
• Noise level for human comfort
• Reduction techniques in indoors
Ventilation: Introduction
• The air exchange of outdoor air with the air
already in a building is called ventilation . As per
ASHARE ( American society of heating ,
refrigerating and air conditioning engineers) the
ventilation is intentional introduction of air from the
outdoors into a building.

• The outdoor air that flows through the building is

often used to dilute and remove indoor air
conditioning.

• Ventilation air is used to provide acceptable indoor

air quality. It can transfer air, suitably treated
recirculated air or an appropriate combination of
both.
• Wind driven ventilation
• The building ventilation is achieved by Natural or • Pressure driven flows
mechanical or by a combination of both. • Stack vent/ Stack effect
Natural ventilation
The Natural ventilation is the process of supplying and removing air through an indoor
space without using mechanical systems. It refers to the flow of external air to an
indoor space as a result of pressure or temperatures difference
There are three types of natural ventilation/Air movement through the building are
Wind pressure
Stack effect
Combustion and Ventilation
Mechanism for natural ventilation
Natural ventilation pressure differences driven by two mechanisms — stack and wind, or combination.
Stack effect (air density difference)
 A combination of inlets via typically controlled window openings and shafts as outlets, creating a stack effect
and using pressure difference in different heights.
 Warm air is less dense than cool air (more buoyant).
 It works when indoor air is warmer than outdoor air, but it is harder to achieve stack aiflow in summer.
 Typically is used for multi-floor apartment buildings.
Wind (aeration)
It creates varying surface pressures (positive and negative) around the building, i.e. inlet at the ground via
openings and outlet via skylights in roofs wind.
 Velocity is typically lower near the ground and increases with height above ground.
 On the windward (upwind) side of a building, air velocity slows and pressure rises.
 On the roof and sides of the roof, air velocity accelerates and pressure drops.
 On the leeward (downwind) side of a building, airflow separates from the roof and sides creating a low
pressure recirculation zone.
Typically is used for industrial halls or stables. And the ventilation is regulated by inlets and outlets openings.
Controlling natural ventilation
Controls for natural ventilation can be based on sensors for indoor air quality, meteorological weather data and
smart control/management systems (BMS).
For Stack Ventilation
Advantages:
• Provides good winter driving force in cold climates.
• Can relieve the problem of single-sided ventilation by
providing stacks in the interior of the building.
• Can be used in conjunction with wind induced
ventilation by locating the roof termination in the
negative pressure region generated by the wind. Stack effect is temperature induced
Disadvantages: When there is a temperature difference between
• Each room should be individually ducted since shared two adjoining volume of air, the warmer air will
ducts may result in cross contamination between have lower density and be more buoyant thus
zones. will rise above the cold air creating an upward
• Potential for reverse flow (downdraught) if the column air stream
of air in the stack becomes cold.
• Requires a temperature differential between inside and
outside.
For Single sided ventilation
Advantages:
• Single-sided ventilation is popular because openings are located on one
face only.
• Spaces that only have one opening that will allow air in and out.
• Single-sided with opening double opening — air goes in through the
lower part of opening and goes out through the top part of opening.
Disadvantages:
• No defined exit route for air.
• Net driving forces may be small resulting in poor ventilation.
• Depth of penetration of air restricted to approximately 2.5 x ceiling
height.
• Single-sided natural ventilation should be avoided.

For Cross Flow ventilation

Advantages:
• 'Open' air flow path presents minimum resistance to airflow and hence
provides good ventilation to a space.
• For equivalent size of openings, cross-flow will provide more reliable
ventilation than single-sided.
Disadvantages:
• Cross-flow of 'used' air into further occupied spaces should be avoided.
• Design of interior layout etc. can be more complex than for single-sided
solutions.
• Cross-flow designs form the basis of best practice in natural and mixed-
mode ventilation systems.
• The majority of designs are based on cross-flow.
Strategies in single side windows for better ventilation by external and internal wall fins

• If the wing walls are located correctly it can create a positive pressure at one window
and negative pressure on the other.
• Outward opening casement windows can create a similar effect. The effect of wing walls
are limited to the windows on the windward side of a building and no effect on leeward
opening. The Depth of the wing wall projections should be at least 0.5 to 1 times the
width of the window
For Wind tower / wind catcher

Advantages:

 Air is drawn in at high level where pollutant concentration is usually lower than at street level.

 Can be integrated with a mixed-mode fan to ensure reliable operation under low wind speed conditions and Possible to
supply air into deep plan spaces.

Disadvantages:

 Reliable wind force is required unless combined with mixed-mode andCan usually only provide fresh air to single or two-
storey buildings.

 Possible conflict with stack driven ventilation. And Cold draughts are possible in winter periods.

Atrium Ventilation

Advantages:

 Provides an extract driving force on the core of the building to drive cross-flow ventilation through surrounding offices.

 The zone above the occupied area can trap waste heat which can be further used to add to the stack driving force.

Disadvantages:

 Flow can be upset by wind forces.

The images show how pressure create
air movement outside and inside the
space
Effects due to Type of openings and side of openings
Advantages of natural ventilation Disadvantages of natural ventilation

• Suitable for many types of buildings located in  Inadequate control over ventilation rate could lead to
mild or moderate climates. indoor air quality problems and excessive heat loss.

• The 'open window' environment associated with  Airflow rates and the pattern of airflow are not constant.
natural ventilation is often popular, especially in
pleasant locations and mild climates.  Fresh air delivery and air distribution in large, deep
plan and multi-roomed buildings may not be possible.
• Natural ventilation is usually inexpensive when
compared to the capital, operational and  High heat gains may mean that the need for
maintenance costs of mechanical systems. mechanical cooling and air handling will prevent the
use of natural ventilation.
• High airflow rates for cooling and purging are
possible if there are plenty of openings.  Natural ventilation is unsuited to noisy and polluted
• Short periods of discomfort during periods of locations.
warm weather can usually be tolerated by  Some designs may present a security risk.
building's occupants.
 Heat recovery from exhaust air is technically feasible
• No room space for ventilation equipment is
needed. but not generally practicable.

• Minimum maintenance.  Natural ventilation may not be suitable in severe

climatic regions.
• Can be less expensive to install and operate than
HVAC but this need not always be true.  Occupants must normally adjust openings to suit
prevailing demand.
• No fan or system noise.
 Filtration or cleaning of incoming air is not usually
practicable.
 Ducted systems require large diameter ducts and
restrictions on routing.
MECHANICAL/ ARTIFICAIL VENTILATION

• As per ASHRAE the mechanical ventilation or forced ventilation is the international movement of air and
out of the building using fans and intake and exhaust vents. Most commercial buildings use mechanical
ventilation , which is more controllable and responsive than natural ventilation in providing adequate
indoor air quality.
Fundamentals of mechanical ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is one of the systems that keeps a habitable environment.

Purpose of mechanical ventilation:
 To heat or cool the incoming air.
 To circulate/move the air in a room.
 To supply/exhaust the required air amount in the room.
Basic information about mechanical ventilation:
 Ventilation is operable independent on exterior conditions.
 Requires precise operation control.
 Provides temperature and humidity (and other sources) control.
Mechanical ventilation is based on pressure difference and caused by dynamic pressure of a mechanical device
— fan/blower.
Ventilation consists of 3 main parts:
 Ventilation rate — the amount and quality of the outdoor air.
 Airflow direction — the flow of air within a building, from 'clean' to 'dirty' areas.
 Air distribution — the delivery of outside air and removal of pollutants.
Mechanical ventilation consists of several parts, i.e. air handling unit (AHU), ducts, air supply/exhaust devices,
dampers, fan coils, heating/cooling unit, etc.
Positioning of fan inside the space for better efficiency
Hybrid ventilation
Hybrid ventilation, also known as mixed mode ventilation, is a ventilation system that combines natural and
mechanical ventilation to provide indoor comfort and air quality. Hybrid ventilation systems are designed to
minimize energy consumption, maintenance, and cost
Energy consumption
Hybrid ventilation systems can reduce electricity consumption and peak demand.
Indoor air quality
Hybrid ventilation systems can improve indoor air quality by lowering CO2 levels.

Thermal comfort
Hybrid ventilation systems can provide thermal comfort by regulating the indoor temperature
BENEFITS OF HYBRID VENTILATION
• Benefits of natural ventilation (when possible)
• Improve indoor air-quality
• Remove humidity, smoke, and fog
• Reduce operation & maintenance costs
• Increase fresh air at the operating floor
• Improve personnel comfort
• Increase evaporative cooling effect
• Create a positive pressure environment
SOUND QUALITY

• Sound quality, or acoustics, is an important aspect of indoor environmental quality

(IEQ) and can impact the wellbeing, comfort, and productivity of people in a space.

Good acoustics can help people to: Focus on their work or education, Sleep well,

and Have confidential conversations without disturbing other

Understanding Sound and Noise

• When energy is transferred through a medium like water or air, waves are created. Under certain
conditions, this energy can be perceived by our ears. We refer to this process as either sound or
noise. At a scientific level, sound and noise are technically the same.

• While sound can be pleasant, like the melody of a favorite song, or disruptive, like the din of
traffic outside our window, noise, on the other hand, refers to unwanted or excessive sound that
interferes with our activities or causes discomfort. Both sound and noise play a vital role in
shaping our indoor experiences.

Impacts on Human Health and Well-being

• Excessive noise levels have a profound impact on human health and well-being. Prolonged
exposure to high noise levels can lead to stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances and hearing loss,
but can even indirectly cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes by
activating stress hormones such as cortisol, which reduces pancreatic insulin secretion and
decreases insulin sensitivity throughout the body. In addition to physical effects, noise can also
impair cognitive function, hinder concentration, and decrease productivity. It is crucial to create
indoor environments that promote tranquility and minimize noise disturbances to support optimal
well-being.
Several factors contribute to the sound and noise levels within indoor spaces

• Building Materials and Design: The choice of building materials and design elements greatly
influences sound transmission. Absorptive materials, such as carpets, curtains, and acoustic
panels can reduce noise levels, while hard surfaces tend to reflect sound and amplify noise.

• HVAC Systems: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can introduce noise
into indoor spaces. Proper design and maintenance of HVAC systems are essential to minimize
noise generation and transmission. TSI's VelociCalc Multi-function Ventilation Meters are designed
to accurately and reliably measure a wide variety of parameters important in monitoring and
maintaining indoor environments.

• Occupancy Density: The number of people present in a space affects noise levels. High
occupancy density can lead to increased noise due to conversations, footsteps, and other
activities.

• Equipment and Machinery: Noise-producing equipment and machinery, such as printers,

computers, and appliances, can contribute to overall noise levels. Proper equipment selection and
placement can help reduce noise emissions.
• Strategies for Managing Sound and Noise

• To enhance indoor environmental quality and mitigate the negative impacts of sound and noise, several
strategies can be implemented:

• Acoustic Design: Incorporate acoustic considerations into the design phase of buildings. Utilize sound-
absorbing materials, diffusers, and acoustic baffles to control sound propagation and reduce reverberation.

• Sound Insulation: Enhance sound insulation by using insulation materials in walls, floors, and ceilings. This
helps to minimize sound transmission between different areas or rooms.

• Noise Control in HVAC Systems: Opt for HVAC systems with low noise emissions. Regular maintenance
and periodic inspections are necessary to ensure proper functioning and minimize noise generation.

• Layout and Design: Consider the layout and arrangement of spaces to minimize noise propagation.
Separate quiet areas from noisy ones and place noise-generating equipment away from occupied areas.

• Sound Masking: In certain cases, introducing low-level, pleasant background noise, known as sound
masking, can help to reduce the impact of intermittent or disturbing noises by providing a consistent auditory
environment.

• Education and Awareness: Promote awareness among building occupants about the importance of sound
and noise management. Encourage the adoption of noise-conscious behaviors or refraining from loud
conversations
• Sound and noise are crucial elements of indoor environmental quality that significantly
impact our well-being, productivity, and comfort. By understanding the factors affecting
sound and noise levels, monitoring sound levels, and implementing effective control
strategies, we can create indoor spaces that promote tranquility, concentration, and
overall satisfaction. Prioritizing sound and noise management in the design,
construction, and operation of buildings will contribute to healthier and more enjoyable
indoor environments