An Introduction to Natural Ventilation for Buildings

Course Description:

This course contains information on design features and practices affecting natural ventilation in buildings. Guidelines based on the best available data are provided. Conflicts between differing guidelines will arise in some cases. Resolution of these conflicts is left to the designer's discretion, since each must be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Comfort, life-cycle costs, maintenance concerns and functional efficiency should be the primary criteria for such decisions, and designers should draw on their previous experience as well as on the guidelines presented here. In most cases, there are several alternative approaches to achieving a desired effect.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the effects of topographic features
• Know the structured approach to natural ventilation design and analysis
• Understand how urban winds are affected by dimensions, spacing, homogeneity, orientation and distribution of obstructions