September 2015 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Ventilation in Multi-Family Buildings
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
Lorne Ricketts
Description

Multi-family buildings are commonly ventilated using corridor pressurization based ventilation systems. This presentation will use a recent Pacific Northwest based case study to examine why this type of system is often inefficient and ineffective, and will demonstrate why alternative systems should be considered. Key concepts which will be discussed include the interaction of the ventilation system with building enclosure airtightness, occupants, and natural pressure differences created by stack effect.

Lorne Ricketts is a building science engineer (EIT) specializing in research and investigation work. His experience consists of a wide range of projects including: building enclosure condition assessments, forensic investigations, building monitoring, field review, building modeling, and laboratory and field testing services.

Lorne’s Master’s research at the University of Waterloo focused on airflow in high-rise multi-unit residential buildings and included extensive testing and monitoring of a case study building. As a result, his work has developed the industry’s understanding of airflow in and around buildings and how it affects both energy consumption and indoor air quality.

Lorne’s practical experience combined with his theoretical training and proficiency with state-of-the-art thermal and hygrothermal (heat, air, and moisture) software modeling tools has enabled him to evaluate a wide variety of enclosure systems. This analytical work is used as the basis for recommendations regarding air barriers, vapor barriers, insulation levels, thermal bridging, and window selection.

Lorne has a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia, BC, and an M.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo, ON.