Dynamic insulation in multistorey buildings.

Taylor, B.J.; Imbabi, M.S.

Abstract

Dynamic insulation permits the movement of air and moisture through the external walls of a building to reduce heat loss and achieve high indoor air quality. The present paper details a pilot study carried out to examine the influence of fire safety requirements and external wind on the performance of naturally ventilated multistorey buildings in which the external envelope is dynamically insulated. The theoretical foundation is outlined for a spreadsheet model used to simulate prototype 3-, 4-, 5- and 10-storey buildings all sharing the same rectangular floor plan, with fresh air drawn into the building through the envelope by depressurisation using a fan-driven, ducted extract system. From the analysis, the effects of wall porosity, depressurisation level, extract system deployment, occupant density and distribution, and building orientation have been quantified, confirming the practical feasibility of such a system.

Citation

TAYLOR, B.J. and IMBABI, M.S. 1999. Dynamic insulation in multistorey buildings. Building services engineering research and technology [online], 20(4), pages 179-184. Available from : https://doi.org/10.1177/014362449902000403

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 30, 1999
• Online Publication Date: Nov 30, 1999
• Publication Date: Nov 30, 1999
• Deposit Date: Jan 11, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 11, 2011
• Journal: Building services engineering research and technology
• Print ISSN: 0143-6244
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-0849
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 179-184
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/014362449902000403
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/552
• Contract Date: Jan 11, 2011