Air infiltration and exfiltration - Revision history

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	[[File:Control function(good)3.png\|400px\|thumbnail\|right\|Figure 1. The building envelope helps us control temperature, air pressure and vapour pressure by monitoring the air infiltration and exfiltration.]]		[[File:Control function(good)3.png\|400px\|thumbnail\|right\|Figure 1. The building envelope helps us control temperature, air pressure and vapour pressure by monitoring the air infiltration and exfiltration.]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Air infiltration''' is the movement of air into a building, whereas '''air exfiltration''' is the movement of air out of a building.</onlyinclude> Air leakage into building interiors has a considerable impact on the energy demand of the building (see figure 1).<ref name=Book1/> This means that controlling how air moves into and out of buildings is a big part of hose [[energy efficiency]] can be improved for buildings. [[Energy]], typically in the form of [[heat]], must be added to or removed from a building in order to maintain a comfortable interior climate for the occupants. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning ([[HVAC]]) systems are used to add or remove heat from a building interior and the operation of these systems costs money. Consequently, air infiltration and exfiltration will impact a building’s energy costs. Infiltration also affects indoor air quality because it introduces [[pollutant]]s, allergens, and microbes into the building.<ref name=Book2>National Institute of Building Sciences. (2013). ''Air Barriers''. [Online]. Available: http://www.wbdg.org/resources/airbarriers.php </ref> It can also result in moisture accumulation in the [[building envelope]] because airflow carries with it rainwater and water vapor (see [[Moisture intrusion (building envelope)\|moisture intrusion]]). Of course all buildings must have sufficient ventilation to be comfortable as well, which is why air infiltration and exfiltration must be handled properly.		<onlyinclude>'''Air infiltration''' describes the movement of air into a building, whereas '''air exfiltration''' describes the movement of air out of a building.</onlyinclude> Air leakage into building interiors has a considerable impact on the energy demand of the building (see figure 1).<ref name=Book1/> This means that controlling how air moves into and out of buildings is a big part of hose [[energy efficiency]] can be improved for buildings. [[Energy]], typically in the form of [[heat]], must be added to or removed from a building in order to maintain a comfortable interior climate for the occupants. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning ([[HVAC]]) systems are used to add or remove heat from a building interior and the operation of these systems costs money. Consequently, air infiltration and exfiltration will impact a building’s energy costs. Infiltration also affects indoor air quality because it introduces [[pollutant]]s, allergens, and microbes into the building.<ref name=Book2>National Institute of Building Sciences. (2013). ''Air Barriers''. [Online]. Available: http://www.wbdg.org/resources/airbarriers.php </ref> It can also result in moisture accumulation in the [[building envelope]] because airflow carries with it rainwater and water vapor (see [[Moisture intrusion (building envelope)\|moisture intrusion]]). Of course all buildings must have sufficient ventilation to be comfortable as well, which is why air infiltration and exfiltration must be handled properly.

	Air flows into or out of a building because of [[pressure]] differences between the internal and external environments of the building. These pressure differences can be caused by gusting [[wind]]s or differences in internal and external [[temperature]]s.<ref name=Book1> C. Younes, et al. “Air infiltration through building envelopes: A review”. ''Journal of Building Physics''. vol 35. pp 267. 2012 </ref> The air will flow through the various openings in the building envelope. These vary from from large openings such as doors and windows, to small cracks and crevices caused by improper installation of envelope components.		Air flows into or out of a building because of [[pressure]] differences between the internal and external environments of the building. These pressure differences can be caused by gusting [[wind]]s or differences in internal and external [[temperature]]s.<ref name=Book1> C. Younes, et al. “Air infiltration through building envelopes: A review”. ''Journal of Building Physics''. vol 35. pp 267. 2012 </ref> The air will flow through the various openings in the building envelope. These vary from from large openings such as doors and windows, to small cracks and crevices caused by improper installation of envelope components.
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	*'''Durability:''' materials chosen for the air barrier system must perform their function for the expected life of the structure or they must be accessible for maintenance.		*'''Durability:''' materials chosen for the air barrier system must perform their function for the expected life of the structure or they must be accessible for maintenance.


	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

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Jmdonev at 23:15, 17 August 2017

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[[Category:Done 2017-07-01]]
[[File:Control function(good)3.png|400px|thumbnail|right|Figure 1. The building envelope helps us control temperature, air pressure and vapour pressure by monitoring the air infiltration and exfiltration.]]
<onlyinclude>'''Air infiltration''' is the movement of air into a building, whereas '''air exfiltration''' is the movement of air out of a building.</onlyinclude> Air leakage into building interiors has a considerable impact on the energy demand of the building (see figure 1).<ref name=Book1/> This means that controlling how air moves into and out of buildings is a big part of hose [[energy efficiency]] can be improved for buildings. [[Energy]], typically in the form of [[heat]], must be added to or removed from a building in order to maintain a comfortable interior climate for the occupants. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning ([[HVAC]]) systems are used to add or remove heat from a building interior and the operation of these systems costs money. Consequently, air infiltration and exfiltration will impact a building’s energy costs. Infiltration also affects indoor air quality because it introduces [[pollutant]]s, allergens, and microbes into the building.<ref name=Book2>National Institute of Building Sciences. (2013). ''Air Barriers''. [Online]. Available: http://www.wbdg.org/resources/airbarriers.php </ref> It can also result in moisture accumulation in the [[building envelope]] because airflow carries with it rainwater and water vapor (see [[Moisture intrusion (building envelope)|moisture intrusion]]). Of course all buildings must have sufficient ventilation to be comfortable as well, which is why air infiltration and exfiltration must be handled properly.

Air flows into or out of a building because of [[pressure]] differences between the internal and external environments of the building. These pressure differences can be caused by gusting [[wind]]s or differences in internal and external [[temperature]]s.<ref name=Book1> C. Younes, et al. “Air infiltration through building envelopes: A review”. ''Journal of Building Physics''. vol 35. pp 267. 2012 </ref> The air will flow through the various openings in the building envelope. These vary from from large openings such as doors and windows, to small cracks and crevices caused by improper installation of envelope components.

[[File:Diffuse orifice air flow.png|thumbnail|right|Figure 2. Diffuse and orifice air flow through a building wall<ref name=Book2/>]]

==Types & Causes==

Air can leak through a building envelope in one of three ways:<ref name=Book2/>

*'''Diffuse flow:''' occurs when the envelope materials are ineffective in controlling flow. For example the building foundation may be porous. Diffuse flow occurs when the materials has cracks, holes, or they have a high permeability to air. Permeability is the ability of a material to allow liquids and [[gas|gases]] to pass through it. Materials with a high permeability to air include [[fibrous insulation]] or uncoated concrete blocks. This is the yellow arrow in figure 2.

*'''Orifice flow:''' occurs when the path between the air’s entry and exits points is linear. For example, air flowing through an open [[window]]. This is the green arrow in figure 2.

*'''Channel flow:''' unlike orifice flow, in channel flow the entry and exit points of the air are distant from one another. This allows the air enough time to cool, usually below its [[dew point]], where water vapor will condense into liquid water. This water condensation will damage walls. Channel flow is the most serious type of air leak.

[[File:Pressure diff types.png|350px|thumbnail|right|Figure 3. Types of pressure that cause air infiltration/exfiltration (stack pressure, wind pressure, fan pressure)<ref> Morrison Hershfield Corporation. (2010) ''Building Science Basics''. [Online]. Available: http://www.peci.org/sites/default/files/building_envelope_continuity_-_part_1_-_building_science_basics.pdf </ref>]]

Differences in air pressure between the interior and exterior of a building will cause infiltration and exfiltration, see figure 3. These pressures include: <ref name = Book2/>
*'''Wind pressure:''' pressure acting on building walls, roofs, etc. caused by wind gusts.

*'''Stack pressure:''' sometimes called chimney effect or buoyancy, stack pressure is caused by a difference in atmospheric pressure at the top and bottom of a building due to differences in height and temperature.

*'''Fan pressure:''' pressure caused by mechanical equipment such as an HVAC system. The equipment will typically positively pressurize a building, meaning its interior pressure will be greater than the external pressures acting upon it (wind pressure, atmospheric pressure, etc).

==Prevention & Control==
Air infiltration and exfiltration in buildings is controlled by an air barrier system. This system includes interconnected materials, flexible sealed joints and building envelope components that create an airtight enclosure. In addition, the air barrier system will also separate conditioned and unconditioned spaces.<ref name = Book2/>

The features of an air barrier system that prevent and control infiltration and exfiltration are:<ref name = Book2/>
*'''Continuity:''' all materials that contribute to controlling infiltration must be properly interconnected to prevent air leakage at any joints. Joints will exist between materials, components, assemblies, and building systems.

*'''Structural support:''' each component of the air barrier system must resist any structural loads from wind, stack effect, or fan pressures without coming apart, or being shifted or bent.
*'''Air impermeability:''' materials of the air barrier system must not have a high permeability to air. Materials suchs as fiberboard, perlite board or uncoated concrete blocks should not be used because air passes through them easily.

*'''Durability:''' materials chosen for the air barrier system must perform their function for the expected life of the structure or they must be accessible for maintenance.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]