Informatics Publishing Limited

Ji-Hye Ryu ¹, Won-Hwa Hong ², Ji-Ae Lee ¹, Wook-Jung Na ³

Affiliations
1 School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, KR
2 School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, KR
3 Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention Engineering, Changshin University, KR

Abstract

High air-tightness and high heat-insulation of buildings cause lack of fresh air inside the buildings. Operating the ventilation system in an apartment house may improve the indoor air quality, but may generate the problems, such as high airconditioning load and cold draft. In order to improve the indoor air quality while maintaining pleasant heat environment to a certain level, it is necessary to consume energy for cooling and heating. Energy Recovery Ventilation system (here in after “ERVs”) is the typical way to minimize the consumption of energy. To solve the problem, the installation of ERVs has been made mandatory for new apartment buildings that are constructed in the Republic of Korea. The interest in ERVs has increased recently in that the System is viewed as helping to: 1. Reduce energy costs of heating and cooling apartment buildings, which costs claim a significant portion of apartment building management budgets, and 2. Secure appropriate levels of ventilation in such buildings. Despite the enthusiasm, the lack of efficient implementation of ERVs persists. Based on the rationale, this study realized the optimal operating algorithm for ERVs. The study took actual data on temperature and humidity; operation status on air conditioners and ERVs; electricity consumptions; and PMV. The study analyzed airconditioning ventilation loads and energy-saving effects related thereto according to the optimal operating algorithm for ERVs. The results showed statistically significant figures that contribute to the reduction of loads and energy costs. Implications of the study include: 1. Introducing the optimal ERVs to apartment buildings will likely help the residents and building managers to better respond to changes occurring to the outside environment and to the inside loads being applied to indoor HVAC systems; and 2. Implementation of ERVs would likely help reduce the loads being imposed on the HVAC systems in apartment buildings.

Keywords

Apartment Houses, Energy Consumption, ERVs (Energy Recovery Ventilation System), Field Survey, Optional Operation, Resident

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Wook-Jung Na ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention Engineering, Changshin University, KR

Abstract

Background: Safety assessment of fire protection system is very important. Especially, Fire Protection system is central to minimizing damage to human lives and property. They're not in demand at normal times but are definitely needed in times of fire or other disasters. Concerns of performance loss or failure owing to yearly variation remain but the nature of fire protection system challenges users from detecting equipment failure or defects early on. Methods: This study sets a certain inspection score to defect probability, which is calculated by quantitative defect probability arising from yearly variation in fire protection systems by part of fire protection systems observed by time and use the score as the basis to determine replacement and inspection of parts. This study also aims at suggesting hazard calculation associated with aging based on criticality and yearly variation of fire protection systems. This method can realize active and quantitative management and the old fire protection system. Findings: Presented in this study Performance Assessment Tool allows a more effective replacement and inspection of firefighting equipment in structures and eventually calculate hazard of firefighting equipment performance in a quantitative manner, thereby serves as an effective diagnosis tool for maintaining and improving performance of aging firefighting equipment. Improvements: For improvements of this study, data on defect rate of fire protection systems should be recorded to deliver higher reliability and aging of fire protection systems arising from time variance should also be monitored by building detailed data to come up with a methodology that ensures reliable management.

Keywords

Failure Characteristics Characteristic, Fire Protection System, Old Commercial Building, Yearly Variation.

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Soo-Ho Lee ¹, Gyu-Yeob Jeon ², Jun-Ho Choi ³, Wook-Jung Na ⁴, Won-Hwa Hong ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental, and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, KR
2 Department of Architecture, Jeju National University, KR
3 Department of Fire Protection Engineering, Pukyung National University, KR
4 Department of Fire Protection Engineering, Changshin University, KR

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The walking speed is not steady and is influenced by corridor shapes. Most of evacuation simulations are using fixed walking speed, and it possible to cause an erroneous value. Methods/Statistical Analysis: In order to determine the changes and influence of walking speed depending on the shape of the pathway and the type of the crossroads, the maze-set experiment is conducted. Total 30 participants recruit as experimental subjects, and ratio of gender is same (male: 15, female: 15). The experimental site has 5 types of crossroad and all pathways of participants recorded that used experimental cameras. Findings: The average walking speed of participants is 1.08 m/s (male: 1.12 m/s, female: 1.04). The result of walking speed is lower than speed in general situation which is 1.40m/s and can form the hypothesis on walking speed affected by corridor shapes. The walking speed change by each shape corridor has meaningful difference. Based on this, the cause of different walking speed estimates that corridor shape has various effect sizes and through one-way ANOVA, it can compute by using eta squared. Application/Improvements: Corridor shapes used in paper is not representing as all of actual building. From the result, however, walking speed is not fixed value and interacts with corridor shapes.

Keywords

Corridor Shape, Effect Size, Maze-set Experiment, One-way ANOVA, Walking Speed.

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Wook-Jung Na ¹, Byeung-Hun Son ², Won-Hwa Hong ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention Engineering, Changshin University, KR
2 Energy System Engineering Department, Daegu Technical University, KR
3 Department of Architectural Engineering, Jeju National University, KR

Abstract

In recent years, many nations around the world, including the Republic of Korea, have shown keen interest in the regeneration of cities as a viable solution to a host of environmental issues the world is facing today. As such, development of various regeneration methods is being undertaken. One integral part of the said initiatives is the recycling of existing buildings that are aging, though the focus is being placed on improving the internal and external aesthetics and structural performance rather than on enhancing fire safety performance of buildings. Reflecting such trends, relatively fewer studies have been conducted to address the ways to improve the safety performance during disasters such as fire which lead to fatality and massive property losses. Given the rationale, this study proposed a building owner/manager-friendly comprehensive and effective way to improve the safety performance of aging commercial buildings during fire/evacuation incidents so as to address the particular susceptibility exhibited by such buildings during disasters that result in large casualties and property damages. Statistical techniques were used to establish the buildings’ properties relating to fire and evacuation. Also AHP analysis was performed to calculate property-specific weightings. In consideration of the calculated weightings and condition of buildings, the study proposed a logic and decision-making tool for the owner/manager such that a comprehensive improvement can be made about the fire/evacuation performance.

Keywords

Commercial Building, Decision-Making, Fire Safety Attributes, Prioritization

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