Environmental Control II Review Flashcards

Practice questions covering building air systems, thermal comfort standards, passive heating, and environmental control calculations based on UTSOA lecture notes.

What are the four fundamental strategies of a building air system?

Source control, filtration, exhaust, and dilution.

Which environmental (non-physical) parameters shape thermal comfort?

Air speed, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, and dry-bulb temperature.

How is Bioclimatic Design defined?

The link between climate and comfort.

What factors contribute to localized discomfort in a space?

Radiant asymmetry, drafts, contact with hot/cold floors, and vertical temperature differences.

What is the Ember Ignition Zone (EIZ) according to the Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC)?

A $5$-foot noncombustible zone around a structure (which can be gravel, pavers, concrete, mulch, or vegetation) designed to prevent ignition from embers and small flames.

What does the unit of measure known as the 'met' relate to?

The level of activity in which a person is engaged.

What is the definition of solar altitude?

The angle between the sun's position and the horizontal plane.

Which household activity is a likely source of latent heat?

Cooking dinner.

What does a HEPA filter (or MERV $17$ or higher) most effectively remove from the air?

Particulate matter ($PM$).

Which factor is potentially a negative contributor toward healthy indoor air quality?

Infiltration.

What are the three basic passive heating strategies?

Direct gain, indirect gain, and isolated gain.

What are the five elements of solar heating?

Aperture (collector), absorber, thermal mass, distributor, and control.

What constitutes a 'Thermal Zone' within a building?

An individually controlled space (thermostat/humidistat), a location with specific demands for cooling/heating/ventilation, perimeter or interior zones, or areas with different occupancy patterns.

Which industry standard defines thermal comfort?

$$ASHRAE 55$$

What are the primary characteristics of heat pumps?

They are electric (do not use gas directly), more energy-efficient because they transfer heat rather than generating it, bi-directional (heating and cooling), and can be configured as air-air, air-water, or water-water.

What is the formula for calculating the annual operating cost of an air conditioner?

$$\text{Cost (\$/year)} = \frac{\text{Unit size (BTU/h)} \times \text{hours per year (h)} \times \text{energy cost (\$/kWh)}}{\text{SEER (BTU/Wh)} \times 1000 (\text{W/kW})}$$

How many BTU per Hour are equivalent to $1$ ton of cooling capacity?

$$12,000\,\text{BTU/Hour}$$

What sustainability strategies were employed by Kirksey Architecture for the Credit Human San Antonio project?

Rainwater harvesting, rooftop photovoltaic system, and orientation-specific exterior shading devices.

In humid climates, what is the most effective strategy to control very high humidity in buildings?

Sealing and air conditioning.

According to the IBC egress tables provided, what is the formula for calculating total occupant load?

$$\text{Occupant Load} = \frac{\text{Area}}{\text{Maximum area allowed per occupant}}$$