Moisture condensation on building envelopes in differential ventilated spaces in the tropics: quantitative assessment of influencing factors

Ali, Maisarah and Oladokun, Majeed and Osman, Samsul Bahrin and Samsuddin, Niza and Hamzah, Hairul Aini (2016) Moisture condensation on building envelopes in differential ventilated spaces in the tropics: quantitative assessment of influencing factors. In: The 4th International Building Control Conference 2016 (IBCC 2016), 7th-8th March 2016, Kuala Lumpur.

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Abstract

Ventilation systems play a significant role in maintaining the indoor thermal and hygric balance. Nevertheless, the systems had been implicated to result in many problems. In the tropical climate, especially for energy efficiency purposes, building spaces are operated with differential ventilation. Such spaces operate on 24-hrs basis, some on 8-hrs while others are either naturally ventilated or served with mechanical supply-exhaust fan systems with non-conditioned outdoor air. This practice had been found to result in condensation problems. This study involves a quantitative appraisal of the effect of operative conditions and hygrothermal quality of building envelopes on condensation risk. The in-situ experiment is combined with an analytical approach to assessing the hygrothermal quality of building envelopes in a tropical climate building under differential ventilation between adjacent spaces. The case-studied building is with a known history of condensation and associated damages including mould growth. The microclimate measurement and hygrothermal performance of the wall and floor against condensation and mould growth risks had been previously reported elsewhere. As a step further, the present study evaluates the effects of various envelope insulation types and configurations together with the HVAC cooling set-points on envelope hygrothermal performance. The results revealed that overcooling the air-conditioned side increases condensation risk on the non-air-conditioned side of the envelopes. The envelopes failed criteria for surface condensation at existing operative conditions irrespective of envelope hygrothermal quality improvements. However, the envelope performed well at improved cooling operative conditions even at existing envelope hygrothermal quality. It is, therefore, important to ascertain the envelope hygrothermal quality as well the cooling operative conditions while embarking on energy efficiency operations in mechanical ventilation systems under differential ventilation.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Invited Papers)
Additional Information:	4627/51045
Uncontrolled Keywords:	ventilation systems, condensation, operative conditions, hygrothermal quality
Subjects:	T Technology > TH Building construction > TH7005 Heating and ventilation
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences Kulliyyah of Engineering Kulliyyah of Medicine
Depositing User:	Prof Ir Maisarah Ali
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2016 11:01
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2017 11:22
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/51045

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