Buildings In Poland Research Articles

Effects of the Disbursement of EU Cohesion Policy 2014–2020 Funds on Improving the Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Poland and Germany

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings (IEEBs) is crucial to achieving the European Union’s ambitious climate and energy goals. To channel these efforts, new policies, legislation, sources of funding, mechanisms for distributing funds, programs, and support tools are being introduced. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effects of the disbursement of EU Cohesion Policy 2014–2020 funds on IEEBs in Poland and Germany, filling the research gap regarding the regional differentiation of investments, beneficiaries, and the spatial distribution of subsidies and projects. An analysis was made of 7818 projects on IEEBs implemented under regional operational programs from European Regional Development Funds under Thematic Objective 4. This research was conducted for two main variables: (1) beneficiaries (8 categories) and (2) investments (8 categories). Based on this division, using a cluster analysis through the use of Ward’s agglomerative hierarchical clustering method, groupings were made in relation to beneficiaries (6 groups) and investments (6 group). The results allowed us to identify regional differences and similarities in the approach to the disbursement of funds on IEEBs, to indicate the main beneficiaries, to highlight trends in this regard, to demonstrate the impact of changes in territorial affiliation on investment targeting, and, furthermore, to capture the variation in the sophistication of the implementation of EU IEEB-related policies and legislation. The results provide a well-documented voice in the discussion of the effects of distributing EU funds for IEEBs in the regions of Poland and Germany and provide a basis for further comparative research.

Actions to improve energy efficiency on the example of selected historic buildings in Poland in the context of European Union guidelines

The article presents, in the context of the guidelines of the "Long-Term Strategy for Renovation of Buildings" valid until 2050, examples of renovations of historic buildings carried out in Poland in 2018-2021, which serve as public facilities. They were designed and constructed in a manner consistent with the guidelines for the transformation of a climate-neutral economy, which stem from Article 2a of Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of May 19, 2010. The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of selected Polish examples of revaluation of public buildings from the point of view of the Architecture of these objects. These are: the Wagner Villa in Kostrzyn on Oder, the railway station in Białystok, the Teodor Sixt Villa in Bielsko-Biała, the office building of the Forestry Commission in Elbląg, the building of the Savings Bank in Ropczyce and the former granary in Żukowo. Also cited are the current financial tools available and the basic measures needed to ensure high energy efficiency and low-carbon performance of public buildings in the run up to 2050.

Technical Conditions of Diamond Vaults in Poland

Diamond vaults represent the greatest achievement of the Gothic architecture. Only about 130 buildings with such vaults have remained to our times, including 30 buildings in Poland. Diamond vaults are less stiff than rib vaults, and consequently more prone to damage. This paper presents technical conditions of diamond vaults in Poland, their typical damage and repair methods.

Promoting environmental sustainability in construction: exploring implemented solutions through case studies

It is imperative to take pro-ecological actions that are beneficial to health, as well as adopt sustainable development practices in the face of the current environmental challenges facing humanity. It is crucial that environmental protection is implemented by all people on Earth, because the future is worrying – especially for what will be left for future generations. Green building solutions are being implemented worldwide, but not always in an appropriate manner. All green architecture integrates sustainable development and conservation, regardless of location. This article summarises and characterises the concept of the 6E (economic, energy-efficient, ecological, elastic, aesthetic, ergonomic) ecological building concept and the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) principle. It also presents an analysis of two ecological buildings in Poland. The first is a wooden building located in the village of Podgać, which serves as an example of combining modern design and ecology. It was built in harmony with nature and blends in with the natural environment of the forest. A half-timbered house in the village of Jarzębia Łąka is the second example where traditional construction, modern technical solutions and environmental protection come together. The presented project examples were examined in terms of ecological building principles and then compared with the 6E concept and the 3R principle. This paper presents a comprehensive study of two distinct eco-friendly building structures. The investigation covers technical characterisation, compliance with the 6E concept, comparison of ecological efficiency, and conclusions with recommendations. The Dom Baby Jagi [Baba Jaga House] in the village Podgać showcases a harmonious blend of simplicity, functionality, and economy, utilising wood with insulation for year-round habitation. It integrates renewable energy sources and rainwater harvesting, contributing to its ecological sustainability. Meanwhile, the half-timbered building in Jarzębia Łąka employs clay-straw bricks for construction, emphasising economic and environmental benefits with vapour-permeable walls and efficient insulation. Both structures exemplify ergonomic design, eco-friendly construction practices, and aesthetic integration with their natural surroundings. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating environmentally conscious solutions in modern architecture to address contemporary environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.

Analysis of Internal Conditions and Energy Consumption during Winter in an Apartment Located in a Tenement Building in Poland

The residential sector of existing buildings has great potential in energy savings and the improvement of indoor conditions. The modernization of buildings is of particular concern to the policies of the European Union, local governments, and building users. The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of indoor parameters and energy consumption for heating for an apartment located in a pre-war tenement building before and after thermomodernization. The analysis was conducted for winter conditions and was based on measurements and simulations. Originally, the building had not undergone any thermomodernization actions since its reconstruction after WWII. Interior, exterior, and surface temperatures were recorded to describe the thermal conditions of the apartment, while gas meter readings were used to estimate energy consumption for heating purposes. WUFI Plus software (v.3.2.0.1) was used to estimate energy consumption and perform energy simulations for the apartment over an extended period of time. The best thermomodernization effect resulted from the replacement of windows and the inefficient heating system, avoiding surface condensation and reducing final energy consumption by more than 50%. The extended options resulted in energy savings higher than 70%. The presented analysis shows the importance of retrofit measures and proves that even a small improvement can bring significant benefits.

Analysis of the Energy, Environmental and Economic Efficiency of Multi-Family Residential Buildings in Poland

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is one of the main challenges facing Europe in the context of climate neutrality policy. In this article, the authors decided to investigate the impact of thermal insulation of building envelopes and the type of ventilation on the energy efficiency of multi-family buildings located in different Polish cities. In accordance with EU directives, economic analyses of the costs incurred during the lifecycle and calculations of CO2 emissions were carried out for the analyzed facilities. It was determined what measures need to be taken under Polish climatic conditions in order to meet the requirements for improving the energy efficiency of multi-family buildings. The multi-criteria analyses presented in this article provide a voice in the discussion of the issues related to the achievement of the energy performance of buildings with almost zero primary energy demand (nZEB). Based on the conclusions of the research conducted, it was possible to develop general recommendations for investors and designers of multi-family residential buildings characterized by energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

The Hourly Peak Coefficient of Single-Family and Multi-Family Buildings in Poland: Support for the Selection of Water Meters and the Construction of a Water Distribution System Model

Taking care of water resources and minimizing water losses in water supply networks requires a broad approach to identifying and neutralizing operational problems. The correct selection of water meters to minimize apparent losses requires knowledge of the characteristic flows that may occur in the facility to which water is supplied. The research aimed to develop tools in the form of mathematical models and water consumption curves along with hourly water consumption coefficients to facilitate the process of selecting water meters for engineers and creating computer models of water supply systems. The research involved monitoring the flow of 76 single-family and multi-family buildings in four towns in Poland, followed by data analysis and development of tools supporting the selection of water meters and the construction of computer models of water distribution networks. High correlation coefficients of the studied variables indicate the results’ usefulness. Four models were developed to determine the maximum flow values in multi-family buildings (three models) and single-family buildings (one model) in the range of water meter diameters DN15-DN40. Characteristics of the average hourly peak coefficient (HPC) values were also developed, along with the range of changes in HPC values for single-family and multi-family buildings.

Architectural classification of downtown riverfront buildings in Poland

Scientists from all over the world have been warning about global warming, thawing of glaciers and rising levels of ocean waters. In recent years, there have also been many floods on a large scale in Europe. Meanwhile, more and more buildings are being built on the waterfront areas. Urban development is coming closer and closer to the water, whereas the water ‘is getting closer’ to us. Many architects believe that we must prepare ourselves for the new reality, that is why the downtown riverfront architecture is gaining more and more importance. Around the world, there are a lot of plans of transforming the waterfront land development. Many architectural bureaus, such as Bjarke Ingels Group or Snohetta, create so many designs related to vast urban waterfront areas that they are beginning to specialize in this subject. Many factors contribute to the quality of good riverfront architecture. In order to notice its qualities, one should pay closer attention to the morphology of space, involving a broad analysis and classification of basic spatial forms. In the preparatory phase of the paper, the researchers came across graphic schemes, appearing in many books and publications, presenting the silhouette of the riverfront building development in cities, but only in terms of urban planning. Contemporary subject literature does not provide enough information on the classification of downtown riverfront buildings seen from an architectural angle. That is why the research problem discussed in this article is concerned with the classification and evaluation of downtown riverfront buildings. This study encompasses the classification of downtown riverfront buildings on an architectural scale – falling between urban planning and single examples of buildings usually described by means of a case-study method. The research was divided into worldwide classification and the national classification encompassing Poland. The analyses on a global scale concentrated on characteristic repeatable building bodies designed by architects all over the world. The classification of architectural objects built in Poland focused on the following aspects: location of the buildings in relation to the river, their characteristic functions or the axiom of the building solids. During the analysis of Polish riverfront buildings, the researchers noticed that many remarkable concepts are continually created, such as ‘periscopes’. These are ideas worth subjecting to further analysis in order to promote the designing of interesting buildings in the downtown riverfront areas.

Culturable airborne fungi communities in naturally ventilated indoor spaces of old residential buildings in Poland

The fungal communities inhabiting apartments in multifamily buildings ( N = 33 apartments) with natural ventilation were determined during seasonal variation in the south part of Poland (Silesia region). It was found that the average level of CO2 concentration usually not exceeded 1000 ppm. The minimal value was noted in November – 402 ppm, however the maximal concentration was equal 6156 ppm and obtained in June. The average fungal colony forming units (CFU/m3) was calculated as follows: 1.06 × 102 (February), 1.17 × 102 (June) and 2.98 × 102 (November). The most frequently occurred species/genera: yeast and yeast-like fungi, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Cladosporium cladosporioides, Rhodotorula rubra; Culvaraia lunata, Dematiaceae family, Ulocladium consortiale, Verticillium spp.; Fusarium spp., Alternaria alternata; Oidiodendron griseum. The cluster analysis showed no mutual similarity between communities of air fungi isolated from bathrooms of all studied apartments as well as between communities isolated from other indoor spaces (rooms, kitchens, halls). This suggests that natural ventilation has no (or minimal effect) on the propagation of fungal spores between apartments. Statistically significant positive correlation between the concentration of fungi in the air and external humidity, carbon dioxide levels (February, November), and external temperature (November) were found. This study provides that natural ventilation has no effect on the spread of fungal spores inside the building and are not contributed to increase of fungal airborne health risk transmission. It also shows evidence of seasonal changes in carbon dioxide in multi-family homes with natural ventilation. This may give input to establish CO2 benchmark data in such type of buildings.

Economic and Energy Analysis of the Operation of Windows in Residential Buildings in Poland

This article presents the results of the economic and energy analysis of the operation of five types of windows in residential buildings. The aim of this study was to determine (a) to what extent the construction and various insulation parameters of windows affect the operating costs of buildings, when using different heating systems, (b) to what extent the significant cost of purchasing windows with better insulation is compensated by lower building operation costs (heating and the lifecycle of windows), (c) how the temperature difference inside the building affects heat loss through windows and, as a result, heating costs when using different heating systems. Five types of windows were selected for detailed analysis: a double- and a triple-glazed PVC window, double- and triple-glazed wooden window, and triple-glazed aluminum window. When wooden double-glazed windows are replaced with aluminum windows, the return on investment occurs in just 2 to 4.4 years. It was also found that of the five types of windows tested, the total economic balance of the operation period is the most favorable for PVC windows, regardless of the type of glazing and the heating system. The operating costs of PVC windows in a model residential building are over 30% lower than in the case of wooden windows and almost 20% lower compared to aluminum windows.

Comparison of the effects of use, protection, improper renovation and removal of asbestos products on the example of typical old office buildings in Poland

The study focused on old, German building types “LIPSK” and “BERLIN” used in Poland, since the 1960s in Eastern Europe. The different operations on buildings were analysed: protection and maintenance of asbestos products, asbestos removal and inadvertent damage to asbestos as a result of building renovation. Measurements of respirable (countable) asbestos fibres in the air were carried out using the PCOM + PLM method and SEM–EDS. In the case of the accidental destruction of products, initial contamination was ≈7000 f/m3. After 16 weeks from the end of the activity and 20 days of extreme ventilation, contamination decreased to about 500 f/m3. At the same time, in similar rooms, without extreme ventilation, the pollution was above 4000 f/m3. The average increase in pollution in a dozen or so similar buildings, after asbestos removal in places beyond the work zones, ranged from ≈ 1700–2700 f/m3 and lasted for one or two years. These buildings, used without ACM destruction or after product impregnation, have maintained low asbestos contamination < 300 f/m3 for more than 10–20 years. So, due to the easy release of asbestos that occurs with any ACM removal and the increased risk of occupant exposure, these works are often inappropriate for the buildings in question.

Proposal for the Preparation of New Building Standards in Poland to Protect against Earthquakes in the Next 50 Years

This article aims to implement new building standards for residential and industrial construction in Poland to protect against earthquakes. For more than 20 years, Europe has experienced an increasing number of earthquakes. Failure to prepare residential and industrial buildings for such an event can result in extensive damage, death, and injury. It is therefore reasonable to ask what losses Poland could suffer after even a single strong earthquake. An estimate of the losses after such an event is presented. It is crucial for many buildings and mines in Poland. It is also important to prepare the population for such an event. In addition, it is also crucial for many Central European countries, as governments have not received training on how to behave during an earthquake. The lack of such training could cause panic during such an event. Poland is rich in natural resources, with many coal and lignite mines. A strong earthquake can threaten these as well as residential, public, industrial, and other buildings. This article provides an overview of earthquake events in Europe in relation to events worldwide and proposes solutions based on the experience of other countries. Here is a proposal to prepare new standards for buildings in Poland for protection against earthquakes in the next 50 years, based on the experience of other countries.

The Effect of Lowering Indoor Air Temperature on the Reduction in Energy Consumption and CO2 Emission in Multifamily Buildings in Poland

This article analyzes the possibility of reducing the energy consumption from building heating as a result of lowering the indoor air temperature, which is recommended as a response to the energy crisis. Various values of the set-point temperature (16–22 °C), as well as different scenarios for their changes, were assumed for analysis. Changes in clothing that were determined to maintain the same level of thermal comfort after a temperature change were determined. The associated reduction in CO2 emissions emitted into the atmosphere was determined. The effect of reducing CO2 emissions was studied depending on the type of heating source. Simulation calculations were carried out for an exemplary multifamily building. The effect of different building insulations required in Poland over the years 1964–2022 was considered. Analyses were performed for the climatic conditions of cities located in different climatic zones of Poland: Koszalin, Wroclaw, Warsaw, Bialystok, Suwalki. Depending on the scenario, the insulation standard of the building, and the variant of location, the energy reduction achieved ranges from 6.6%/K to 13.2%/K. Taking into account the type of heating source, the reduction in CO2 emissions is from 0.7 to 7.5 kgCO2/(K·m2). The reduction in temperature by 1 or 2 K can be compensated for by wearing an additional sleeveless vest (0.12 clo) or sweater (0.28 clo).

Teachers’ and Students’ Assessment of the Influence of School Rooms Acoustic Treatment on Their Performance and Wellbeing

The paper presents the latest research results concerning the correlation between changes in the room acoustics of school spaces and noticeable changes in the communication and functioning of students and teachers at school. The primary school covered by the research is the second largest school of this type in Poland. The large number of students and hard interior finishing made the acoustic conditions in the school building very unfavourable. The measurements showed that school rooms were very noisy and reverberant. The measured values of reverberation time T were in many rooms 3–4 times higher than the acceptable values specified in the mandatory Polish acoustic standard PN-B-02151-4:2015-06. Also the speech intelligibility measured by the speech transmission index was very poor, in the extreme case STI = 0:31. This situation (very characteristic for most of Polish schools) became the basis for the first such comprehensive acoustic treatment of the whole school building in Poland. This intervention allowed to meet PN-B-02151-4:2015-06 demands almost in every room accessible for students. This case gave an excellent opportunity to assess the influence of improved room acoustics on teachers’ and students’ performance and wellbeing. Measurements of the equivalent sound level LAeq, reverberation time T and STI speech transmission index were made before and after acoustic treatment. The questionnaire survey used the Acoustic Change Feelings Scale (ACFS-S, ACFS-T) for teachers and students. 378 students, and 44 teachers were included in the study. Both students’ and teachers’ answers show significant improvement of their performance and wellbeing. Positive changes were noticed in students’ level of concentration, short memory capacity and pace of work. After acoustic treatment students (both in teachers’ and their own opinion) can better hear and understand teachers’ instructions and are much more capable of task fulfilling. Both teachers and students observed clear reduction of aggression level. Teachers reported considerable drop in students’ fatigue and their own voice effort.

Comparison of calculation and consumption methods for determining Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) in the case of multi-family residential buildings in Poland (Central-Eastern Europe)

The calculation method and the consumption method are used to award Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), in accordance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2010/31/EU with revisions. The calculation method can be used for any type of building, regardless of the type of heat source. A good knowledge of the building is required (architectural and construction documentation, inventory of the building). The consumption method can be used only in buildings with heat and gas meters. It is not necessary to have detailed information about the building. However, this method is not applicable to offices, hotels, or production buildings with periodic breaks in heating and hot water consumption. Here, we apply the calculation method and the consumption method to analyse 15 multi-family residential buildings located in Poland (Central-Eastern Europe). Both methods gave similar values. Using the consumption method the energy indicators were slightly lower than using calculation method (on average, the results differed by approx. 14–17%). The consumption method provides a useful alternative to the calculation method, and can be tested by the scientific and expert community in other countries where it has not yet been implemented.

Prospects for creating surfaces with vegetation on buildings in Poland

According to the World Green Building Council, energy demand in buildings will increase double, by 2050. Worldwide, construction and the built environment contribute about 39% of global carbon dioxide (28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction) and 50% of the world’s resource consumption. Thus, maximising energy efficiency and improving the environment are the main directions of construction development. Both tasks can be solved using green structures that connect living plants with building structures (green roofs, living facades and living interior walls). The data from the main organisations in the branch has been analysed: United Nations, The World Green Building Council, European Parlament and Council, and also Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction. They state the need for green and blue infrastructure, and sustainable urbanisation, incl. decarbonising of buildings and mitigation of urban heat islands. Greening of buildings is a measure to achieve the requirements. In addition, it improves health and well-being or increases biodiversity. Poland has the corresponding norms to stimulate the greening of buildings. The term “biologically active area” is defined as the area with an area arranged in a way that ensures natural vegetation of plants and rainwater retention; such an area also covers 50% of the surface of terraces and flat roofs with a vegetation layer with vegetation and other surfaces (e.g. green facade), providing natural vegetation of plants, with an area of not less than 10 m2, surface water in this area. Special tax policies give privileges to those who green their building(s). These measures have a good result in spreading green structures, which is proved by the objects represented in the article.

Audit-Based Energy Performance Analysis of Multifamily Buildings in South-East Poland

Multifamily buildings account for about half of all residential buildings in Poland and about 70% of the urban population live in them. Most of them require thermal refurbishment. Evaluation of a building’s energy performance with the use of correlation models has been very rarely used in relation to buildings in Poland. This method is simple, fast and can improve the decision process on thermal modernisation. It is especially important at the pre-design stage of planned investments. This paper presents an attempt to develop correlations that could be used in the energy assessment of multifamily buildings. For this purpose a dataset containing of 29 audits of multifamily buildings was used. The statistical analysis was performed for buildings before and after planned refurbishment. Obtained relationships showed strong correlation between thermal demand for space heating or domestic hot water and ventilation airflow and thermal transmittance of windows (R2 &gt; 0.6). After designed modernisation the number of strong correlations decreased. Energy for domestic hot water was correlated with the number of inhabitants (R2 = 0.6). Energy for space heating was correlated with the number of users and heated volume of a building.

Antibiotic sensitivity of environmental Legionella pneumophila strains isolated in Poland.

Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds and hot springs. Legionella infection occurs through the inhalation of water-air aerosol generated, for example, by showers or hot tubs. The most common species responsible for infection is Legionella pneumophila, which can cause Pontiac fever, and Legionnaires' disease, as well as a rare extrapulmonary form. The aim of the study's is to assess the susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila bacteria isolated from water systems of public buildings in Poland to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of Legionellosis pneumonia. A total of 100 L. pneumophila strains isolated from public buildings, such as hospitals and water recreation facilities, were used for the study. The drug sensitivity of the following antibiotics was determined: erythromycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, rifampicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. Mean MIC50 and MIC90 values were read using accepted standards. The highest mean MIC value was obtained for tetracycline 6,130+/-0,353 μg/ml (with a range from 1,500 μg/ml to 16,000 μg/ml. In contrast, the lowest MIC was recorded with rifampicin: 0.020+/-0.037 μg/ml (with a range from 0.016 μg/ml to 0.380 μg/ml). The lowest biocidal concentration was found for levofloxacin, the highest for tetracycline. The highest MIC50 and MIC90 values were found for tetracycline and the lowest for rifampicin. The highest biocidal values were found for azithromycin and the lowest for tetracycline.

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Public Utility Buildings in Poland through Thermomodernization and Renewable Energy Sources—A Case Study

Economical and efficient use of energy is promoted around the world as a model of conscious care for the environment in which we live. A mere change of habits in the use of energy can reduce its costs by 5% to 15%, and investments in energy-saving technologies can pay for themselves after just a few years. This case study shows how significant steps can be taken in saving energy in the building of public utility buildings through deep thermomodernization using renewable energy sources—compressor heat pumps and photovoltaics. The article presents a comprehensive thermomodernization of a school building made according to Polish regulations. A detailed description of the tested object is given, and the calculation procedure is described. Next, the optimal investment variant and ex post analysis are described. The implementation of these projects significantly improved the energy efficiency of the building and generated final energy savings of 80%, which will significantly reduce the school’s operating costs. Thanks to the applied improvements, it was possible to save 72.30% of thermal energy in the building, which directly translates into lowering the building’s operating costs. The improvement of energy efficiency indicators ranges from 66% for usable energy to almost 85% for non-renewable primary energy. Furthermore, by reducing the demand for energy used in the building by nearly 74%, we see a reduction in CO2 emissions. The methods used were desk research and an extended case study of Poland, a country facing a number of problems related to energy prices during the energy crisis. In this article, we identify the challenges faced by Poland due to its geopolitical situation, and the solutions introduced to the difficult situation in the energy market come in the form of the thermomodernization of buildings. It was on this basis that Poland was selected as a case study.

Problems and Technical Issues in the Diagnosis, Conservation, and Rehabilitation of Structures of Historical Wooden Buildings with a Focus on Wooden Historic Buildings in Poland

This article discusses the problems and technical issues related to the conservation and rehabilitation of historic wooden structures. Showing the history of wooden construction in Europe and Poland, it analyzes the technical solutions used for the timber structure of buildings. The author highlights the leading technical and conservation issues arising from the principles of conservation of wooden heritage buildings, taking into account the role, importance, and proper implementation of diagnostics preceding conservation engineering activities. The article discusses interdisciplinary diagnostics developed by the author, an original method for assessing the revitalization capability of a historical building, which analyzes non-technical issues, including those relevant to conservation, in addition to the technical aspects of assessing the technical condition of a building. Based on engineering practice, problems and technical issues that often occur in the conservation process of wooden buildings, as well as in the broader process of their revitalization, are presented. They concern various engineering activities that must be implemented in this process according to the principles discussed.