SEDL / STP / STP1067-EB / STP17204S

Air Change Measurements of Five Army Buildings in Alaska

Flanders, SN
Research civil engineer, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH

Pages: 11    Published: Jan 1990

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Abstract

The air change rates of five buildings (four barracks and one vehicle maintenance garage) were measured, using the tracer gas dilution technique. The median air change rate for all zones measured was close to 0.5 air change per hour (ACH). The range of air change rates was between 0.05 and 1.75 ACH. Most of this range was attributable to variation in the effectiveness of the buildings' ventilation systems. Outdoor temperatures were between -15 and -20°C (5 and -4°F). The wind was calm for all but one barracks measurement. The maintenance facility, a large single-zone building, permitted good results from the tracer gas technique. The barracks, multi-zone buildings, varied in the ease with which the tracer gas technique could be applied. The barracks ventilation systems were in operation when air change measurements were made. These systems incorporated air-to-air heat exchangers with intakes and exhausts mounted in rooftop penthouses.