Part 1. Load Estimating | Chapter 6.
Infiltration And Ventilation
CHAPTER 6. INFILTRATION AND VENTILATION
The data in this chapter is based on ASHAE tests This opposite direction flow balances at some
evaluating the infiltration and ventilation quantities of neutral point near the mid-height of the building.
outdoor air. These outdoor air quantities normally have a Air flow thru the building openings increases
different heat content than the air within the conditioned proportionately between the neutral point and
space and, therefore, impose a load on the air the top and the neutral point and bottom of the
conditioning equipment. building. The infiltration from stack effect is
In the case of infiltration, the load manifests itself greatly influenced by the height of the building
directly within the conditioned space. The ventilation air, and the presence of open stairways and
taken thru the conditioning apparatus, imposes a load elevators.
both on the space thru apparatus bypass effect, and The combined infiltration from wind velocity and
directly on the conditioning equipment. stack effect is proportional to the square root of the sum
The data in this chapter is based on ASHAE tests of the heads acting on it.
and years of practical experience. The increased air infiltration flow caused by stack
effect is evaluated by converting the stack effect force to
INFILTRATION an equivalent wind velocity, and then calculating the flow
Infiltration of air and particularly moisture into a from the wind velocity data in the tables.
conditioned space is frequently a source of sizable heat In building over 100 ft tall, the equivalent wind
gain or loss. The quantity of infiltration air varies velocity may be calculated from the following formula,
according to tightness of doors and windows, porosity of assuming a temperature difference of 70 F db (winter)
the building shell, height of the building, stairwells, and a neutral point at the mid-height of the building:
elevators, direction and velocity of wind, and the amount
of ventilation and exhaust air. Many of these cannot be Ve = V2 1.75a (for upper section of tall
accurately evaluated and must be based on the judgment bldgs winter) (1)
of the estimator. Ve = V 1.75b
2 (for lower section of tall
Generally, infiltration may be caused by wind bldgs winter) (2)
velocity, or stack effort, or both: where Ve = equivalent wind velocity, mph
1. Wind Velocity-The wind velocity builds up a V = wind velocity normally calculated for
pressure on the windward side of the building and location, mph
a slight vacuum on the leeward side. The outdoor a = distance window is above mid-height, ft
pressure build-up causes air to infiltrate thru b = distance window is below mid-height, ft
crevices in the construction and cracks around the
windows and doors. This, in turn, causes a slight NOTE: The total crackage is considered when
build-up of pressure inside the building, resulting in calculating infiltration from stack effect.
an equal amount of exfiltration on the leeward side.
2. Difference in Density or Stack Effect The INFILTRATION THRU WINDOWS AND DOORS,
variations in temperatures and humidities produce SUMMER
differences in density of air between inside and Infiltration during the summer is caused primarily by
outside of the building. In tall buildings this density the wind velocity creating a pressure on the windward
difference causes summer and winter infiltration side. Stack effect is not normally a significant factor
and exfiltration as follows: because the density difference is slight, (0.073 lb/cu ft at
Summer Infiltration at the top and exfiltration at 75 F db, 50% rh and 0.070 lb/cu ft at 95 F db, 75 F wb).
the bottom. This small stack effect in tall buildings (over 100 ft)
Winter Infiltration at the bottom and exfiltration at causes air to flow in the top and out the bottom.
the top. Therefore, the air infiltrating in the top of the building,
because of the wind pressure, tends to flow down thru the
building and out the doors on the street level, thereby
offsetting some of the infiltration thru them.