Field Measurement of Uncontrolled Air Flow and Depressurization in Restaurants

Primary Author(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center
James Cummings, Florida Solar Energy Center

Secondary Author(s)

Withers Jr., Charles; Moyer, Neil; Fairey, Philip W.

Report Number

FSEC-PF-402-96

URL

http://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FSEC-PF-402-96.pdf

Keywords

Buildings; Air Flow; Ventilation; HVAC; Humidity; Moisture, Uncontrolled air flow; Depressurization; Restaurant ventilation; Building airtightness; Indoor air quality; Energy use in buildings; Moisture damage; HVAC system sizing

Abstract

Field investigations were done in seven restaurants (subsample of a 63 commercial buildings study) to identify uncontrolled air flows and pressure imbalances. Testing included building airtightness tests, identification of building air barrier location, duct system airtightness, characterization of pressure differentials, building air flow balance, and infiltration/ventilation rates. All restaurants were found to operate at negative pressures which ranged from -0.003 inWC (-0.8 Pa) to -0.173 inWC (-43 Pa) and averaged -0.051 inWC (-12.7 Pa) under normal operation. The variables which affect depressurization are large exhaust fans, missing or undersized make-up air, intermittent outdoor air caused by the cycling of air handlers, dirty outdoor air and make-up air filters, and building airtightness. These uncontrolled air flows and pressure imbalances impact energy use, ventilation rates, sizing of heating and air conditioning systems, indoor comfort, relative humidity, moisture damage to building materials, mold and mildew growth, operation of combustion equipment, and indoor air quality.

Date Published

12-31-1996

Identifiers

765

Notes

Reference Publication: Cummings, J. B., C.R. Withers, N. Moyer, P. Fairey, and B. McKendry. "Field Measurement of Uncontrolled Air Flow and Depressurization in Restaurants". ASHRAE Transactions, 1996, Vol.102, Part 1, p.859

Subjects

Air flow; Buildings--Airtightness; Indoor air pollution; Restaurants; Ventilation; Heating and ventilation industry; Energy conservation

Local Subjects

Buildings - Air Flow; Humidity; Buildings - HVAC; Buildings - Moisture; Buildings - Ventilation

Type

Text; Document

Contributor (Linked Data)

Fairey, Philip W. [LC]

Collection

FSEC Energy Research Center® Collection

STARS Citation

Florida Solar Energy Center and Cummings, James, "Field Measurement of Uncontrolled Air Flow and Depressurization in Restaurants" (1996). FSEC Energy Research Center®. 765.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fsec/765