Secondary Author(s)
Withers Jr., Charles
Report Number
FSEC-CR-1666-97
URL
http://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FSEC-CR-1666-97.pdf
Keywords
Air Flow; Buildings, Air flow failure; Commercial buildings; HVAC commissioning; Duct leakage; Building diagnostics; Air flow management
Abstract
A recent study of small commercial buildings in central Florida found that uncontrolled air flow -- including duct leakage, return air imbalance, and exhaust air/make-up air imbalance -- is widespread. Of 70 buildings studied, only 1 was identified as having no significant uncontrolled air flow. The causes of uncontrolled air flow include failure of design, poor workmanship, O&M problems, HVAC commissioning failures, materials degradation, and building retrofits. This study also found that the consequences of uncontrolled air flow are often quite severe and varied -- including high utility bills, occupant thermal discomfort, high humidity, mold and mildew growth, moisture damage to building materials, transport of pollutants to the occupied space, and backdrafting of combustion equipment. The characteristics and causes of uncontrolled air flow have been largely unknown or misunderstood until recently, and diagnostic tools and methodologies for uncovering uncontrolled air flow have been largely unavailable. Standard methods of ensuring balanced air flows often fail because of measurement errors and flawed assumptions of test methodology. This paper introduces the reader to the nature and magnitude of UAF problems in commercial buildings, presents air flow management standards, and presents diagnostic tools and methods.
Date Published
4-1-1997
Identifiers
759
Subjects
Buildings--Maintenance and repair; Commercial buildings; Diagnostic imaging--Digital techniques; Air flow
Local Subjects
Buildings - Air Flow
Type
Text; Document
Collection
FSEC Energy Research Center® Collection
STARS Citation
Florida Solar Energy Center and Cummings, James, "Identifying Air Flow Failure Modes in Small Commercial Buildings: Tools and Methodologies for Building Commissioning Diagnostics" (1997). FSEC Energy Research Center®. 759.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fsec/759
Included in
Rights Statement
Notes
Reference Publication: Cummings, J. B. and C.R. Withers, "Identifying Air Flow Failure Modes in Small Commercial Buildings: Tools and Methodologies for Building Commissioning Diagnostics." Fifth National Conference on Building Commissioning Proceedings, Huntington Beach, CA. April 1997.