Ventilation in washrooms and kitchens in high-rise residential buildings

L. K C Law, D. W T Chan, E. S H Leung, Hon Wan Edwin Chan, H. K C Mak

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

Ventilation provisions in kitchens and washrooms in high rise residential buildings in Hong Kong are under a great concern, after the SARS outbreak incident. In this study ventilation rate in kitchens and washrooms in typical high-rise residential flats was estimated by injecting SF6 tracer gas inside. An air-change of 3.1 ACH was determined, when the washroom window was opened and all other openings were closed. When the exhaust fan was switched on and all other openings (include the window) were closed instead, a lower air-change of 1.7 ACH was measured. The result leads to a re-consideration on the adequacy of the contemporary sizing of typical exhaust fans in residential washrooms. In addition, when the re-entrant window in kitchen was opened, SF6 concentration was found to be fluctuating for 20 minutes after the injection, showing that the air was trapped in kitchen and re-entrant region. By comparing with the smooth decay observed when only mechanical exhaust was used in the same flat, opening the re-entrant window would be less preferable than using exhaust fan. This shows the importance of adequate sizing of the exhaust fan.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHB 2006 - Healthy Buildings
Subtitle of host publicationCreating a Healthy Indoor Environment for People, Proceedings
Pages345-349
Number of pages5
Volume4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2006
EventHealthy Buildings: Creating a Healthy Indoor Environment for People, HB 2006 - Lisboa, Portugal
Duration: 4 Jun 20068 Jun 2006

Conference

ConferenceHealthy Buildings: Creating a Healthy Indoor Environment for People, HB 2006
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityLisboa
Period4/06/068/06/06

Keywords

  • High-rise residential buildings
  • Kitchen
  • Re-entrant
  • Ventilation rate
  • Washroom

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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