Interest in ventilation strategies accelerated during the global pandemic with countries around the globe taking different regulatory approaches to improve the health of the built environment.
Proctor Group Australia general manager, Andy Russell, will present a seminar at ARBS entitled A global journey from natural ventilation with operable windows, to continuous mechanical exhaust ventilation with passive demand control.
The seminar is scheduled for day three of the ARBS Exhibition which will be held from 28-30 May, 2024.
The session will address condensation problems in Australia, which have raised serious questions about relying on infiltration, and occupants opening windows to provide sufficient make-up air.
Airtightness is increasingly being taken seriously in Australia, and is happening by default in class 2 buildings as construction methodologies, products and skills improve.
With continuous ventilation and makeup air on the agenda, there is a need for cost-effective, simple, non-disruptive ventilation strategies that can deliver results.
Regulation needs to consider occupant behaviour and seriously consider a continuous ventilation requirement.
There are valuable lessons, positive and negative, that can be taken from different regulatory approaches as different countries evolve and introduce effective ventilation for tighter buildings.
Russell will present the results and learnings from a CFD analysis conducted in partnership with Massey University in Auckland, on different ventilation strategies for apartments in a multi residential building.
Russell has worked with building envelope specialists Proctor Group in the United Kingdom and Japan including secondment to a major prefabricated house manufacturer.
At this time Japan implemented the Building Standard Law to address indoor air quality.
Russell has contributed to the first edition of the “Condensation Handbook” published by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) in 2011.
The ABCB is a standards body responsible for the National Construction Code, WaterMark and CodeMark Certification Schemes, and regulatory reform in the construction industry.