Requirements for Building Thermal Conditions under Emergency Operations in Cold Climates

Alexander M Zhivov,W Jon Williams,William B Rose,Raymond E Patenaude

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202124608003

Abstract

This paper provides recommendations on thermal and moisture parameters in different types of buildings under emergency operation in cold/arctic climates. We consider three scenarios under normal operating conditions: occupied, temporarily unoccupied, and long-term unoccupied. These thermal parameters are necessary to: (1) perform required work safely and efficiently, (2) support building processes, and (3) support long-term integrity of the building under emergency conditions (i.e., interruption of fuel, steam, hot water, and electrical service that interrupts building space conditioning). Under emergency conditions, requirements of thermal parameters for different categories of buildings may change. Mission critical areas can be conditioned to levels that support the agility of personnel who perform critical operations, but not to optimal comfort levels. Critical process requirements are given priority. This paper was developed for military applications, based on research performed under the International Energy Agency’s Energy in Buildings and Communities Program, Annex 73; under the Department of Defense Environmental Security Technology Certification Program project EW18-D1-5281, “Technologies Integration to Achieve Resilient, Low-Energy Military Installations,” and under the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army project “Thermal Energy Systems Resiliency for Army Installations located in cold climates.” Results are applicable to similar public and private sector buildings.

Highlights

During an emergency situation, requirements of thermal parameters for different categories of buildings or even parts of the building may change
When the operation of normal heating, cooling, and humidity control systems is limited or unavailable, mission critical areas can be conditioned to the level of thermal parameters required to support the agility of personnel who perform mission critica l operations, but not to the level of their optimal comfort conditions
Thermal comfort requirements are defined by ASHRAE Standard 55

Summary

Introduction

Requirements of thermal parameters for different categories of buildings or even parts of the building may change. Eliminating mold growth from surfaces of buildings requires year-round control of both the DBT and the DP temperature (or air RH) in the indoor spaces in hot/humid climates. Efforts should be made to ma intain thermal environment to prevent significant damage to both mission critical and non-mission critical buildings before they can be returned back to their normal operation This may include reduction of ventilation requirements; control of maximum humidity levels using available technologies with minimum fuel consumption; allowing maximum daylight; keeping plug loads on and lowering lighting levels; in cooling constraint conditions, use window shades to minimize solar gains, reduce plug loads, and keep lighting at a minimum level. Such sites will occur at interruptions in pipe insulation (often at fittings such as elbows) and at air leaks in the envelope, where moving air can reduce the air film thermal resistance

Thermal requirements for unoccupied spaces

Findings

Conclusion