Internal Doors Research Articles

On the proper integration of wood stoves in passive houses: Investigation using detailed dynamic simulations

Wood stoves are attractive for the space-heating (SH) of passive houses. Nevertheless, there are still questions about their integration. Firstly, the power oversizing of the current stoves and their long operating time may lead to unacceptable overheating. Secondly, it is also unclear how one stove can ensure the thermal comfort in the entire building. The paper investigates these aspects using detailed dynamic simulations (TRNSYS) applied to a detached house in Belgium. An 8kW stove is assumed to be representative of the lowest available powers in the market. Results confirm that a large power modulation is important to prevent overheating. Opening the internal doors, a high building thermal mass and a heat emission dominated by radiation also reduce the overheating risk, but to a smaller extent. Besides, a single stove cannot enforce the thermal comfort during design weather conditions: a peak-load system is then needed. Using more standard conditions, a Typical Meteorological Year (TMY), the stove can mainly perform the SH but it then requires the internal doors inside the building to be opened. The temperature distribution between rooms is in fact dominated by the architectonic properties. Finally, the emission and distribution efficiency of the stove is also investigated.

Controlling and sampling adult sand flies with a fumigant containing permethrin and deltamethrin

The efficacy of a new smoke-generating formulation (fumigant, MidMos Solutions Ltd., GB), containing the active ingredients permethrin and deltamethrin, was evaluated against adult sand flies in an apartment (280 m(3)), a semi-open large animal shelter (enclosing an area of 300 m(2)), a closed Bedouin animal tent (104 m(3)), and a garden (141 m(2)) enclosed by a stone wall. In each location, four cages with approx. 100 Phlebotomus papatasi were exposed to the fumigant 0.5 m and 2.0 m above ground for 15 and 60 min. Controls were kept in untreated similar rooms and there were two repetitions. In the apartment and the animal tent, a single cartridge caused 100% mortality within 15 min. In the large animal shelter, one fumigant caused mortality of 86% in the lower cages and 75% in the upper cages after 15 min. After 60 min, mortality was 94 and 87%, respectively. With two fumigants, mortality was 98.5 and 91% after 15 min and after 60 min all sand flies were dead. In the garden, one fumigant caused mortality of 93% in the lower cages and 85.5% in the upper cages after 15 min. After 60 min the mortality was 98 and 92%, respectively. With two fumigants, all flies were dead within 15 min.

Drzwi do pokoju

Czeslaw Milosz’s poem Późna dojrzałość describes the experience of spiritual breakthrough. His past time hero feels incomplete. Full--time starts for him at the time of “awakening”. However, deep experience of “me” leads eventually beyond ego – towards the relations with others. The protagonist recognizes both a personal value of himself and of the others. It is the dignity of a “child of the King”, it has its source not so much in axiology, as in the ontology. The described spiritual breakthrough does not solve world’s problems, but introduces a new perspective of their understanding. It allows – thanks to a deep experience of hope – to anticipate the future harmony. Internal doors allow the hero to look into something which will become complete at the end of time, yet it now exists in the form of announcement hidden in the structure of reality.

Developing safety signs for children on board trains

Every year a number of young children are injured as a result of accidents that occur on board trains in Great Britain. These accidents range from being caught in internal doors, through to injuries caused by using seats. We describe our efforts to design a new set of safety signs in order to help prevent the occurrence of these types of accident. The research was funded under a Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) managed UK Department for Transport research programme and was carried out in collaboration with Loughborough University. The study involved analysis of industry accident incidence data and running a set of classroom discussions with young school children (aged 5–10, n=210). The classroom discussions initially involved showing them examples of a new design prototype sign alongside existing train signs and gathering the requirements for new designs. A second set of classroom discussions with these children was used to evaluate the new signs based on the outcomes from earlier discussions. We describe our findings alongside a set of outline guidelines for the design of safety signs for young children. A final section considers the main methodological and other lessons learnt from the study, alongside study limitations and possibilities for future research.

Developing Safety Signs for Children on Board Trains: Findings from Great Britain

Every year a significant number of young children are injured as a result of accidents that occur on board trains in Great Britain. These accidents range from being caught in internal doors, slips, trips and falls and injuries caused by seats. We describe our efforts working with RSSB to design a new set of safety signs in order to help prevent such accidents occurring. The research involved running a set of workshops with young school children (aged 4–10, n=210) and showing them examples of existing train signs and gathering the requirements for new designs. A second set of workshops with these children was used to evaluate the new signs based on the outcomes from the earlier workshop. We describe our findings alongside a set of outline guidelines for the design of safety signs for young children, A final section outlines possibilities for future research.

Electrical savings by use of wood pellet stoves and solar heating systems in electrically heated single-family houses

This study investigates how electrically heated single-family houses can be converted to wood pellets- and solar heating using pellet stoves and solar heating systems. Four different system concepts are presented and system simulations in TRNSYS evaluate the thermal performance and the electrical savings possible for two different electrically heated single-family houses. Simulations show that the electricity savings using a wood pellet stove are greatly affected by the level of comfort, the house plan, the system choice and if the internal doors are open or closed. Installing a stove with a water-jacket connected to a radiator system and a hot water store has the advantage that heat can be transferred to domestic hot water and be distributed to other rooms. Such systems leads to that more electricity can be replaced, especially in houses having a traditional plan. Though it is unnecessary to have too many radiators connected to a stove with a low fraction of energy heating the water jacket. Today's most common control strategy for stoves (the on/off-control) results in unnecessarily high emissions. A more advanced control varying the heating rate from maximum to minimum to keep a constant room temperature reduces the number of starts and stops and thereby the emissions.

A building elements selection system for architects

This paper explains the development stages of an expert system BES for the evaluation and selection of the building elements. The work covers all kinds of building elements that are available in building construction including retaining walls, foundations, external walls, internal walls, floors, external stairs, internal stairs, roofs, external chimneys, internal chimneys, windows, and external doors and internal doors. The selection is based on the importance of performance requirements of the building elements and their expected performances. The selection is achieved by SMART Methodology, and the expert system shell “Exsys Corvid” is used to construct the expert system. Use of computer and Internet with its advantages in handling vast amount of data makes the system widely applicable and a useful design aid for architects. The decision-making feature of the system provides a suitable selection among numerous alternatives. The paper explains the experience gained through the use of this method and discusses further development of the system.

Smart homes for people with restricted mobility

The Portsmouth smart homes project sought to identify appropriate technology to create energy efficient accommodation that supports the occupants in achieving a more independent life than would normally be possible due to their physical disabilities. A consultation process was initiated. This began with focus groups in three different parts of Hampshire. These were followed by in‐depth interviews to ascertain how “smart” technology might enhance independence, quality of life, security and affordability. The consultation process and a technology review informed a number of design exercises culminating in the design of six properties in Portsmouth due to be occupied in April 2002, and monitored through the following summer and winter. Three of these units will accommodate wheelchair users. Internal and external doors, locks and all windows will be motorised. The smart system will be programmed to operate heating, lighting, and household appliances, to a pre‐determined plan, which can be overridden by the resident. The sensors and devices share data in order to act, react and interact in an appropriate way. Disabled people consulted report positive attitudes to smart homes. They want a home that can respond to emergencies and environmental changes. Potential occupants also express the wish to be able to counter automated controls. A majority also express preference for homes that will not stand out from neighbouring properties.

Analytical evaluation of 13 laboratory tests on the Abbott Architect system

This paper explains the development stages of an expert system BES for the evaluation and selection of the building elements. The work covers all kinds of building elements that are available in building construction including retaining walls, foundations, external walls, internal walls, floors, external stairs, internal stairs, roofs, external chimneys, internal chimneys, windows, and external doors and internal doors. The selection is based on the importance of performance requirements of the building elements and their expected performances. The selection is achieved by SMART Methodology, and the expert system shell “Exsys Corvid” is used to construct the expert system. Use of computer and Internet with its advantages in handling vast amount of data makes the system widely applicable and a useful design aid for architects. The decision-making feature of the system provides a suitable selection among numerous alternatives. The paper explains the experience gained through the use of this method and discusses further development of the system.

Evaluation of the COMIS Model by Comparing Simulation and Measurement of Airflow and Pollutant Concentration

Abstract This paper describes the measured and calculated results of airflow rates and pollutant concentration profiles in an airtight test house, the aim being to evaluate the calculation model COMIS for multizone air infiltration and pollutant transport. Firstly, the leakage areas of internal doors, exterior walls and windows were measured by the fan pressurization method. Secondly, two measurements were carried out, assuming that the test house consisted of ten zones. The concentrations and injection rate of SF6 were measured in order to determine the airflow rates by a system identification method. The boundary conditions, such as indoor and outdoor temperatures, wind speed and direction, and wind pressures were also recorded in situ and saved simultaneously on diskettes, using a computerized data acquisition system. Thirdly, the measured boundary data and leakage characteristics were used as input in the simulation of airflow using COMIS; initial concentrations, injection rate, along with the previous data were used for simulating pollutant transport, assuming tracer gas SF6 as a pollutant. Lastly, the comparisons between measurement and simulation results of airflow rates and pollutant concentrations were carried out by linear regression analysis. The correlation coefficient between the measured and calculated air change rates was 0.72, and that for pollutant concentration was 0.94.

Full-scale measurement of wind-induced internal pressures in a high-rise building

Abstract The characteristics of wind-induced internal pressures in a high-rise building have been investigated. Full-scale measurement were taken using absolute pressure meters, which allowed high-resolution measurements. This paper outlines full-scale measurements of wind velocity, wind direction and external and internal pressures on a 29-story building, commencing in January 1993. It also describes the characteristics of natural wind above the building's penthouse and mean wind-induced internal pressures measured in September 1995 when a typhoon hit the Kanto area. The internal pressure coefficients obtained from these measurements were about −0.26, and were constant over the building's height. The influence of internal walls and doors on measured mean internal pressure coefficients was found to be insignificant, and roughly the same values were obtained at different locations on the same floor. The mean internal pressure coefficients estimated from the mean wind pressure coefficient obtained from wind tunnel testing was — −0.26, which is the same as that obtained from the full-scale measurement. Therefore, it is inferred that the mean wind pressure coefficient obtained from the wind tunnel testing is sufficient for examining average internal pressure.

The effect of neutron-moderating materials in high-energy linear accelerator mazes

A study was undertaken to examine the effect of lining high-energy linear accelerator mazes with neutron-moderating materials in order to reduce scattered neutron dose at the accelerator room door. Polyethylene alone reduced neutron dose by no more than 27% and did not significantly reduce gamma ray dose. Polyethylene combined with flexboron panels reduced neutron dose by 50% at most, reducing gamma ray dose by a maximum of 32%. Much greater reductions in both neutron and gamma ray dose (by 92% and 55% respectively) can be obtained by incorporating polyethylene and boron into either internal or external maze doors. Our results support the conclusion that neutrons directly incident on the maze from the accelerator contribute little to the neutron dose at the door, and that the majority of neutron dose is due to scattered and thermal neutrons.

高層建築物の外装材を対象とした風力に関する研究(その1) : 平均室内圧の性状について

The characteristics of wind-induced internal pressures in a high-rise building have been investigated. Full-scale measurements were taken using absolute pressure meters, which allowed high-resolution measurements. This paper outlines full-scale measurements of wind velocity, wind direction and external and internal pressures on a twenty-nine-story building, commencing in January 1993. It also describes the characteristics of natural wind above the building's penthouse and mean wind-induced internal pressures measured in September 1995 when Typhoon No.12 hit the Kanto area. The internal pressure coefficients obtained from these measurements were about -0.26, and were constant over the building's height. The influence of internal walls and doors on measured mean internal pressure coefficients was found to be insignificant, and roughly the same values were obtained at different locations on the same floor. The mean internal pressure coefficient estimated from the mean wind pressure coefficient obtained from wind tunnel testing was -0.26, which was the same as that obtained from the full-scale measurement. Therefore, it is inferred that the mean wind pressure coefficient obtained from the wind tunnel testing is sufficient for examining average internal pressures.

The Effects of the Economic Reforms on China’s Income Distribution In the Past Ten Years

Since late 1970’s, China has adopted the economic policies of ‘making the internal economy alive and opening doors to foreign countries,’ which have brought about the rapid development of the national economy and the significant improvement in people’s living standards. How did economic growth change the income distribution? This article makes use of the data collected from sample investigations about the income distribution among China’s urban and rural population for the purpose of statistic analysis.

Edificio circular de oficinas Arcis-Sur-Aube – Francia

This building has a very particular shape, as a result of the following ideas, which conditioned the initial project: — It was sought to integrate the whole staff within a single zone to give them a closer mutual relationship. — Seek to avoid the classical design, of broken up spaces, with many internal partitions, corridors and doors. — The building to operate as a control tower over the general activity of the whole works. — On the ground level, to have an additional free space for the storage of beet, during the harvesting period. In general terms the building consists of a circular stem, of reinforced concrete, housing the lift and stairs. Around it the office flooring structure is cantilevered, from this single support. The building is completed with a truncated cone roof, which houses, on two floor levels, the records rooms. The most important problems were the construction of the flooring reinforcement work and the formwork for the external surfaces. The first difficulty was overcome by means of four double girders, placed orthogonally, in couples, supported on the stem periphery; whilst the second was solved by using plywood on transversal and radial framework.

Fire Precautions in Electrical Stations

SERIOUS fires from electrical plant in power stations are fortunately rare in Great Britain, but during the last few years there have been several disastrous fires both at home and abroad, and so the paper on fire precautions by F. C. Winfield read to the Institution of Electrical Engineers on February 11 is a useful one. In electrical supply it is recognized that the maintenance of this supply is the outstanding requirement. This is usually done by duplicating all the principal cables supplying the current, and also some of the plant. Since all electrical plant is subject to the two risks of fire and explosion, this provision does not secure the desired maintenance of the supply unless measures are taken to ensure that such duplicates cannot be simultaneously impaired. It is necessary therefore to provide physical separation of electrical duplicates by dividing them up in separate buildings or enclosures. Brick walls and reinforced concrete construction have excellent fire-resisting properties. Pitched roofs supported by steel trusses should be protected by a fire-resisting inner ceiling. All windows should be of wired glass and all internal doors of fireproof self-closing design. The development of the oil-less circuit and breaker on the Continent is a step in the right direction. An important factor in fighting an oil fire is the dense black smoke, which impedes or prohibits access to the seat of the fire. This is a very serious consideration in dealing with fires which occur in the inner regions of large power stations. For this reason it is recommended that all large transformers or heavy switch-gear should be mounted in separate buildings or in chambers opening to the outer air and sealed off from the inner side. Unfortunately, no practical method of routine testing has yet been devised by means of which the failures that produce fires can be anticipated.