Heating and Ventilating Buildings

Abstract

DURING the twenty years since this book was first published there have been many changes in methods of heating and ventilation. The present edition has been enlarged considerably by the addition of matter necessary to make it an up-to-date treatise on the subject. The author, who is well known as the professorof experimental engineering at the Cornell University, has dealt with the principles in a scientific manner, and has placed the various practical rules as far as possible on a rational foundation, at the same time avoiding the use of complicated mathematics. The earlier chapters are taken up with the properties of heat, the flow of water, steam and air, and the boilers and fittings required for steam and hot-water heaters. The remainder of the book contains thoroughly well illustrated descriptions of modern heating systems and includes gravity steam-heating, pump return steam-heating, hot-water and hot-air systems. There are also sections dealing with mechanical ventilators, heating with electricity, temperature regulators and air conditioning. The sections dealing with the amount of heat required for warming and with the heat given off from radiating surfaces are of special interest. It must, of course, be understood that the efficient warming of a large building is a matter that is not 'susceptible of absolute mathematical calculation, and a great,deal of the measure of success attained lies in the manner in which the warming and ventilating appliances are handled by those in charge. The volume before us has proved, in the past to be a useful guide to architects and others responsible for providing the arrangements, and with the information which it now contains will no doubt prove equally useful in the future.