Natural Ventilation in Non-domestic Buildings

Adequate ventilation is essential for the well being and health of building occupants and the provision of fresh air was traditionally met by natural means. This approach has partly given way to air conditioning in response to the perceived need to cool modern buildings, which tended to suffer from high solar heat gains, poor natural daylighting and use of many energy intensive appliances. Increased concern over the adverse environmental impact of energy use has encouraged the design and construction of energy efficient buildings, many of them suited to natural ventilation. It can provide year round comfort, with good user control, at minimum capital cost and with negligible maintenance. This Digest gives the professional design team and building users background information and design guidance on using natural ventilation in energy efficient non-domestic buildings.