Contaminant Behavior and Distribution in Multi-Zone Buildings

When HVAC systems are not the source of indoor air§pollution, they influence contaminant migration§within multi-zone buildings through air§redistribution by ducted networks; or by pressure§differentials across zonal partitions. Current§design, operation and maintenance procedures of HVAC§systems have been unable to deal with this problem§effectively. The issue of weaponized§contaminants also emerges as a new threat to the §health and lives of occupants. This research §investigated the behavior and distribution of indoor §air contaminants in mechanically ventilated multi-§zone buildings; through simulations of a§theoretical building and a case study.§Influencing IAQ parameters were identified and§investigated individually and collectively. Results§showed that even with multiple Air Handling Units,§parameters have varying degrees of influence§depending on the architectural and mechanical§configuration of the building, inter-zonal airflow,§source location, filtration and exhausting.§Guidelines in the form of recommendations were§suggested to assist designers and building operators§in retrofitting existing buildings or in the design§of future buildings.