Introduction To Building Climatology - Chapter 6 - Ventilation OCR
Introduction To Building Climatology - Chapter 6 - Ventilation OCR
INTRODUCTION
Ventilation is the replacement of used inside air by outside air and it has three
majo/ functions: supply of fresh ai/; body cooling and structural cooling or
heating. Air movement through buildings can be induced by the stack effect, wind
pressure or mechanical means such as fans, evaporative coolers, air-condition-
ers and heaters. The factors that affect air flow through buildings are external
features and factors, number and size of openings, position of openings and
opening components. Air flow around buildings is determined by the shape,
height, orientation and planning of buildings. Ventilation is predicted by
mathematical formulae or with the aid of models. Minimum ventilation standards
provide for supply of fresh ail; body cooling and structural cooling.
The rate-of ventilation achieved is directly proportional to the area of the inlet,. and
the square root of the difference in temperature between hiside and outside air, and
the difference in height between the inlet and outlet. The rate of ventilation is also
af'fected by the ratio of the area of outlet to area of inlet. This ratio determines the
correction factor. Ventilation rate increases with increase in the ratio of the area of
the outlet to that of the inlet. See table 6.2.
Stack effect usually produces some air movement even for small differences in
temperature and height. In warm humid conditions, such as in Lagos, stack effect
cannot be relied upon to provide adequate cooling by air movement, even with large
'windows. This is due to the low difference in temperature between the inside and
the outside. In hot dry climates, stack effect can provide structural cooling at night
time, especially during the hot season.
The cooling produced by stack effect can be increased by better design-of openings.
Inlets should be on the windward side of buildings with outlets on the leeward side. ~1.1creV = rate of venliildion
The difference in height between inlet and outlet should be maximized: Window dt = t e m p e r a t u r e diffs rmce
areas should be large, with bigger outlets. Jr; = internal 4ir t e m p e r d f u r e
AIR FLOW THROUGH BUILDINGS INDUCED BY WIND PRESSURE At = area of in let
Wind pressure is the major force responsible for air flow through buildings. The air
K correttion facior (K= 0-117
movement produced by stack effect is often of little magnitude and insufficient for for Ao= A i )
body cooling. Wind pressure and stack effect often act together to create air h height
= differehce in
movement within buildings. The use of mechanical aids is usually employed only if between inlet and ovtlet
the air movement induced by wind pressure and stack effect is insufficient. The aim Ao= area of outlet
of design is usually to maximize wind pressure for air movement, especially in the
warm humid climate in the southern part of the country. The exception to this rule
includes situations where the wind is dusty, cold and unwelcome, such as is
experienced during the harmattan. There are also cases where the wind is so strong
that it causes destpwt,ion, tearing roofs off buildings, for exapple in Sokoto.
When the wind strikes a building it is slowed down but at the same time it exerts a
pressure on the building. The pressure exerted is directly proportional to the square
of the wind velocity. See figure 6.2. The slowing down of the air forms a relatively
stagnant air mass on the windward face of the building. The wind is deflected above
and around this mass. It however travels some distance before it regains its original
direction due to its tendency to maintain a straight path (momentum). Stagnant air
masses are thus formed on other surfaces of the building, although at reduced
pressure, resulting in suction. The combined effect of pressure on the windward side
and suction on the leeward side is to encourage air flow through the building. This
will occur when there is an inlet on the windward side and an outlet on any of the
leeward sides. See figure 6.3.
A; = area of inlet These mechanical aids are fans, evaporative coolers, air conditioners and heaters.
FANS
'Ibble 6.2 Electric fans are very useful in providing necessary air movement for body cooling,
rate in
C&rec.tion factors for ventilation especially in the warm humid climates in the southern part of the country. Types
relati'on fo ihlef and ouHef ~ i z e of electric fans include ceiling fans, wall mounted fans, standing fans, table fans and
extract h.Extract fans cannot be used for body coohug since they suck and do not
blow air; they may however be used to assist the stack effect and remove odours and
vapours.
Wind def lzcfcd
7
Plan
5 c cfion
@=
G=
prrssvre
'&uctia
-I
Wind *cssure 1 5~~ti0n
Plan 1
AIR CONDITIONERS
Wind scoop Air conditioners provide both cooling and humidification and are sometimes the best
solution in difficult climates especially for offices and public buildings. Their major
drawback is cost of acquisition and maintenance. Air conditioners may be large
uppurwoir plants, small units or split units. The use or otherwise of air conditioning should b e
decided early in design since this will affect the size of openings.
w e f fdbt-it
HEATERS
Heaters are usually unnecessary in the ~ i ~ e r i climate.
an However, they can create
I '
additional comfort during the cold harmattan period, especially when combined with
I: humidification. Small portable units are often adequate and built-in heating systems
unnecessary.
iW
-- 4 bwerpump
and reservoir
NEED FOR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS
The need for heating and cooling systems is usually determined by comfort conditions
Desert cooler (humidity and temperature) and the duration of that condition. The cost of installing
these sitems is however usually high and many familes remain without them, even
Figure 6.4 when the climatic conditions justify their installation. In such cases, flexible,use of
n\e wind 5c00p and daeeri- coaler space, outdoor living and sleeping as well as clothing are common alternatives. See
table 6.3.
595ttrn Criteria b r . t i o n ( w n th5) Requirement
hi gh temperature hevet- not required
and hvmidity 1 Desirable
2 ~ i g h l ydesirebk
>/3 Deirable; need for
cr- venfi lqtion
LMe 6.3
Heed for heating and maliq aids
FACTORS AFFECTING AIR FLOW THROUGH BUILDINGS
Factors affecting air flow through buildings are:
external features and factors
- number and size of openings
- position of openings
opening components
i
X
EXTERNAL FEATURES AND FACTORS
The air flow in bud- is affected by external features and factors. The wind speed
and direction as well as dust content combined with the building shape and
orientation are very important. Dusty winds should be avoided or filtered by
vegetation. Building orientation should take maximum advantage of wind direction.
External features such as barriers and vegetation also play an important role as they
may create wind shadows and channel air flow. The situation of the building with
respect to other buildmgs should ensure adequate spacing to avoid wind shadows and
achieve air movement.
The area of both inlet and outlet, combined with the relative position of inlet and
outlet as well as the wind direction has a marked effect*on the rate of air flow.
Generally, the average air velocity increases with:
increase in size of inlet and outlet
- increase in size of outlet with respect to the inlet.
Wind
Inlet fjize
direction
1/3 2 /3 3/3
Perpendicular
none
Oblique
none
In plan, the air velocity distribution is affected by the relative position of inlet and
outlet for a given wind direction. The incoming air stream takes the shortest course
of least resistance to the outlet. Thus openings located diagonally will cause air flow
through the centre of the room. When openings are situated directly opposite each
other on one side of opposite walls or close together on adjacent walls the larger
portion of the room will remain unventilated. See table 6.5.
In section, the position of the outlet has little effect on air flow patterns. The inlet
can be low, high, or central. Low inlets tend to direct the air flow towards the floor
while high inlets direct the air flow towards the ceiling. Centrally placed inlets
produce air flow in the general direction of the external wind. For multistorey
buildings, with centrally placed inlets, the wind flow is deflected towards the floor on
the ground floor while it is deflected towards the ceiling on upper floors. See figure
6.5.
OPENING COMPONZNTS
Opening components are very important in determining the velocity and pattern of
air flow. See figure 6.6. These components include:
- canopies (horizontal shading devices)
- louvres and venetian blinds
- sashes
- variously hung windows
- mosquito screens
Fi4ure 6.5 - curtains
Effect of oprning p5ition in ,sedion on
air flow through building3 Canopies direct the air flow towards the ceiling but this can be reversed towards the
floor by leaving a gap between the canopy and the opening. Louvres and venetian
blinds direct the air flow upwards or downwards according to their angle of
Space and acfivity Ventihtion rate
Tcible 6 . 7
Minimum venkil&m require m e n k
Notes; .
* Infer rnittent arfi fiusl
ventlld t i n only
t PcpenAmt qn dwelling ~ i z eand dendiy of a v p f i o n . b p r t h l l y h;g her
yak65 m y be vequired in 5rnaller m d more d m t ~ l ya c u p ; u l dwelling^
inclination. Sashes deflect the air flow upwards but reversible pivot sashes can
deflect it downwards. Top hung outward4pening windows deflect air towards the
ceiling. Side hung windows deflect air towards the hinged side when open outwards
and vice-versa. Roller shutters deflect wind downwards when partially open.
Mosquito screens and curtains reduce air flow to a very large extent. Mosquito
Ef Fect of c a m pies
screens, depending on material and perforation, may reduce air flow by 30% to 70%.
For nylon screens, reduction is about 35%. Thig should be kept in mind when
calculating size of openings for effective ventilation.
\
Plc %ctangfikrr buildi-
Wind d i n g on brher
Corner
stveam
5tredm
Figurc 6.7 Figure 6.8
Wind flow round buildings Effect of neighbouring buildings on wirdflow
@) channeUing of wind. (b)interaction oF low
a d high-rise bui\dings.(c) wind flow a r d
building5
pressure may be experienced on upper floors. There may occur a wind flow under
the second building in the presence of open spaces.
wind direction
-r, THE WIND SHADOW EFFECT
The wind, on meeting a building in its path, creates pressure on the windward part
mf h and suction on the leeward side. The area where this suction is effective represents
the wind shadow of the building. In the wind shadow, the direction of air flow is
opposite to that of the wind direction. Buildings placed in the wind shadow of other
Section buildings will suffer from poor ventilation, except in special cases. Buildings are
b) The di5tance between buildings spaced at least six times their height to avoid this effect. See figure 6.9. Staggering
aoulb exceed 6 fimes t h e height has also been found to be effective. The wind shadow effect should however not be
overemphasized in designs. Land is expensive, and such wide spacing is uneconomical
in large cities. The spacing required may also be reduced when air velocities are high
or when cross ventilation is not essential for comfort. In critical cases staggering, low
building heights, well designed openings or finally mechanical aids may provide
workable solutions.
P
6aod Fair 6 0 4 fair
odovr removaI ( p r per9t-d
ompabden4ty 5m2/person 8 5 23 18 1-2- 2 . 0
10m2/peeon 5 3 16 11 0-4-0.7
13 mZ/ p e w n 3 1.5 11 5.5 0.1- 0.25
Rem ova I of b k o 5 m ~ k ( p eaverage
r 7 25
5moKer) :
WC ( 4 . 5 ~ 1 ~ ) 6 * 2 2* 3
WC and bathroom (12m3) 12 * 44 * 1.5
K i t ~ h e (lam2)
n +&prevent~ o n enwtion
d
&5 -King, non a b r bent surfaces 108 390 13
Electric ccaking, ditto 75 270 3
G a s cookit-g, 4 bsorben't 5ur faces 46 166 5.5
El e d r i c cooKing, d;ff o 22 72 2.7
~ o h t r o of
l tooking od6ut-S only 33 120 4
Table 6 . 7
Minimum ventil&otl requirements
Notes ;
* )ntcrmit#ent artifidil vent34+ion only
t PcpenAart on A w l l i n g 4izc A& olenity of mzcuprtion. b p w t h l i y h;g her
~atcsmay be vequired in smaller and more dmsely e c c u p i 4 dwd~t't~~c
REFERENCES
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-
Chrenko, F.A. ed. (1974). Bedford's Basic Principles of i/enilation and Heating. H. K.
Lewis, London.
Evans, M. (1980). Housing, Climate and Comfort The Architectural Press, London.
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Publishers Ltd., London.
Jennins, B.H. (1978). The Therm4 Environment: Conditioning And Control Harper and
Row, New York.
Koenigsberger, O.H., Ingersoll, T.G., Mayhew, A. and Szokolay, S.V. (1974). Manual of
7iopicd Housing And Building, Part 4 Climatic Design. Longman, London.
Lee, P.H.K. (1953). Physiologica/ Objectiwq /n Hot M/le/ Housing. USAID, Washington.
Lippsmeier, G. (1968). Building /n The ?Topics.Verlag Georg D.W. Callwey, Munchen.
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Marsh, P. (1977). Air And Rain Penetration of Buildings. The Construction Press Limited,
Lancaster.
Olgyay, V. (1963). Design With Climate - Biocljmatic Approach Jo Architectural
Regiona/ism. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
Petherbridge, P. (1974). "Limiting The Temperatures In Naturally Ventilated Buildings In
Warm ClimateS". /n: Building Research Establishment Current Paper 7/74.
Webb, C.G. (1960). "Ventilation In Warm Climates". /n: British Research Station Overseas
Building Note Number 66. Building Research Establishment.