Richard A. Grot

Sources and Source Strengths of Volatile Organic Compounds in a New Office Building

This study was conducted at a newly constructed federal office building in Portland, Oregon. The primary objectives were to identify the major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the building and to measure both long-term (one year) and short-term (several day) variations in concentrations and source strengths. Samples for VOC were collected on four occasions over a period of 14 months starting with the first month of occupancy. During the final sampling period, samples were collected over four days (Friday - Monday). The samples were analyzed for individual compounds and for total VOC (TVOC). The results were expressed as specific source strengths, as well as concentrations, to facilitate comparisons of measurements made under different ventilation conditions. The primary source of VOC in the building was identified as liquid-process photocopiers and plotters which emitted a characteristic mixture of C10-Cn isoparaffinic hydrocarbons. The specific source strength of TVOC, which was dominated b...

Validation of Models for Predicting Formaldehyde Concentrations in Residences due to Pressed-Wood Products

This paper describes a laboratory project to assess the accuracy of emission and indoor air quality models to be used in predicting formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations in residences due to pressed-wood products made with urea-formaldehyde bonding resins. The products tested were partlcleboard underlayment, hardwood- plywood paneling and medium-density fiberboard (mdf). The products were initially characterized in chambers by measuring their formaldehyde surface emission rates over a range of formaldehyde concentrations, air exchange rates and two combinations of temperature and relative humidity (23° C and 5 0% RH; 26°C and 60% RH). They were then installed in a two-room prototype house in three different combinations (underlayment flooring only; underlayment flooring and paneling; and underlayment flooring, paneling, and mdf). The equilibrium formaldehyde concentrations were monitored as a function of air exchange rate. Particleboard underlayment and mdf, but not paneling, behaved as the emission model pr...

Measured Air Infiltration and Ventilation Rates in Eight Large Office Buildings

Air infiltration and ventilation rate measurements were made during all seasons of the year in eight federal office buildings using an automatic air infiltration system designed at the National Bureau of Standards. The eight federal office buildings were located in Anchorage, Alaska; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Columbia, South Carolina; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Huron, South Dakota; Norfolk, Virginia; Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and Springfield, Massachusetts. These buildings ranged in size from 1730 m 2 (18 600 ft 2 ) for the building in Pittsfield to 45 500 m 2 (490 000 ft 2 ) for the Anchorage federal building. All were constructed within the last 10 years. Air infiltration rates were found to vary from 0.2 to 0.7 air changes per hour and constituted from 23% to 61% of the building design load. Minimum ventilation rates in the tighter buildings were found to be less than what would be recommended for occupied offices.

Instrumentation for monitoring energy usage in buildings at Twin Rivers

Abstract The measurement systems used at Twin Rivers for determining energy usage are described. These include a weather station, three different systems for the measurement of temperatures and energy-related events in a house, automated devices to measure the air infiltration rate, and infrared thermography. Each of these systems played a role in assessing the actual usage of energy in individual buildings, in identifying the factors that determine energy consumption, and in checking the accuracy of theoretical models for predicting the energy performance of dwellings.

A Low-Cost Method for Measuring Air Infiltration Rates in a Large Sample of Dwellings

A method for collecting air infiltration data in a large sample of dwellings is presented. The method consists of a tracer gas dilution technique employing air sample bags that are analyzed in a central laboratory. The method will be applied to a Community Services Administration optimal weatherization demonstration in approximately 300 dwellings on 16 sites throughout the United States. The method will yield air exchange rates under typical heating season conditions for each dwelling in the demonstration. Preliminary data on air infiltration rates in low-income housing in Portland, Me. are presented.

The Evaluation Of Infrared Imaging Systems Used For Building Inspections

The results of the laboratory evaluation of three high resolution infrared imaging systems are presented. The systems were evaluated for their minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) at spatial frequencies from 0.02 to 0.16 cycles per milliradian and at ambient temperatures in the range of -7° C to 20° C. The results of these tests are compared with the predicted dependence of the MRTD given in the ASHRAE Standard 101-83. It is shown that the dependence on temperature of the MRTD of two of the systems is predicted well by the theory given in the ASHRAE standard. The calibration curves of the infrared imaging systems are given. These are in good agreement with those given by the manufacturers of the equipment.

The Role Of Thermography In The Assessment Of The Thermal Integrity Of Federal Office Buildings

Results were presented from ground-based infrared thermographic studies performed by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) on eight federal office buildings. Infrared thermography was utilized to observe the thermal anomalies in those buildings, as part of a diagnostic program to evaluate the thermal integrity of building envelopes. Thermographic data were collected via complete exterior scannings and selected interior scannings at regions where thermal defects were identified or suspected during the outside inspections. Analysis from thermographic inspections with examples of defects found in some of these buildings are also included. The potential applications of the diagnostic procedures to both new and existing buildings are discussed.

Implications of thermographic standards on the inspection of buildings

This article reviews the recent developments in thermographic standards for the inspection of the building envelope. A general overview of the present standards and standards activities is given. The purpose of the standards is explained, their general content outlined and how they are to be used is discussed. The results of a field evaluation of the accuracy of thermographic inspectors in locating insulation voids in cavity walls are summarized. The reasons for the observed inconsistencies in the results of the inspections of the same building by differnent thermographic inspectors are given. In general, at present, it must be concluded that improvements in existing inspection techniques are needed before thermographic inspections can be considered accurate.

Description Of A Facility For Evaluating Infrared Imaging Systems For Building Applications

A brief description is given of a facility for evaluating infrared imaging systems for building applications being constructed at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) under sponsorship of the Department of Energys Oakridge National Laboratory. This paper discusses the functions that the infrared image system evaluation facility is to fulfill, its design criteria , how it is to support the thermographic standards being developed, the tests which the facility will be able to perform and a decription of its major components.

Interpretation Of Thermographic Data For The Identification Of Building Heat Loss

This paper presents a tutorial introduction to the methods used in acquiring and interpreting ground-based thermographic data. It summarizes basic principles used in the anal-ysis of groundbased thermographic data for the detection of building heat losses. The major heat loss mechanisms in buildings which produce the thermal anomalies detectable by infrared scanning systems are described. The paper emphasizes that the analysis of thermographic data is an exercise in pattern recognition and, as such, gives results of a qualitative nature. The thermal patterns of several classes of building defects are presented. Methods for determining from thermographic inspection voids in insulated walls, areas with partial insulation, defective ceiling insulation, fissures and shrinkage in insulation, heat loss around doors and windows, air leakage at wall and floor joints, attic bypasses and thermal bridges, air penetration into interior cavities, and moisture damaged insulation are illustrated by examples of thermograms showing each class of defect. The difficulty of performing thermographic inspection under nonstandard conditions when the building is subjected to a small temperature difference across the building envelope, solar loading on the inspected surface, or transient environmental conditions is discussed. The relative merit of interior and exterior surveys and the effect of environmental conditions, thermal reflections and variation in the surface properties on the interpretation of thermograms are analyzed.