Literature Review on Building Envelope, Heating and ... - Beeshive.org

5. Conclusion
A literature review was conducted to provide a knowledge base for selecting building
envelope assemblies to investigate in the analysis tasks. The literature review provided
significant information on practices, issues, and technologies regarding building
envelopes, construction, heating, ventilating, indoor air quality, utilities, and sociohousing
issues. Example building constructions from the arctic, Antarctica, Scandinavia,
the Himalaya region, Japan, as well as indigenous architectures’ climate adaptation have
also been reviewed.
Climate Characteristics
Outdoors: Climate varies within the arctic and sub-arctic regions, particularly, above and
below the tree-line regions. Variations include the snow drifting pattern, wind,
temperatures, annual amounts of sunshine, and daylight. The arctic climate is described
as a frigid high latitude desert, scarce vegetation, and long and dry Winters. For example,
in the NWT, temperatures range from -45ºC (-49ºF) in winter to 35ºC (95ºF) in summer.
Precipitation is mainly in the form of snow with an annual range from 140 mm (5 ½ in.)
in Hay River to 425 mm (16 ¾ in.) in Inuvik. High winds and blizzards are common.
Daylight, in particular, is extremely variable. It ranges from almost 24 hours of daylight
daily in summer with the sun setting just before midnight and rising a few hours later, to
very little daylight in winter. In Alaska, low temperatures can range from -57ºC (-70ºF)
for weeks in interior areas to -34ºC (-30ºF) in south central and western areas and last for
extended periods. Temperatures can reach 35ºC (95ºF) in summer. Wind speeds in excess
of 200 km/h (125 mph) are common.
The maritime climate, dominated by ocean influences, is humid and temperate.
Precipitation occurs in all seasons (no dry season), and might change by the hour. The
weather could come from any orientation. Summers are cool and short. Winters are mild
and short with some frost but not continuous snow. Spring and fall are extended in
length. There are small differences between monthly mean temperatures.
Indoors: An indoor RH of 20% is considered optimum during an arctic winter.
Occupants’ discomfort might increase at a RH less than 20%. RH above 20% could lead
to condensation and mould growth. In seven communities in the Northwest Territories,
indoor air temperatures averaged from 21ºC to 28ºC (70ºF to 82ºF), RH ranged from 9%
to 46%, with an average of 25%, and air change rates varied from 0.042 ach to 2.2 ach
(During the measurements, outdoor air temperatures varied from –35ºC to –21ºC (-31ºF
to -6ºF), high winds, and blizzards.).
Criteria for Selecting Building Envelope Assemblies for Northern Canada
Harsh Environmental Conditions
Prevalent low temperatures, wind, and snow drifting conditions exist during the long
winters. Large temperature differentials occur between indoors and outdoors. Daylight
conditions vary from a few hours a day in winter to constant bright sunshine in summer.
PERD-079: Task 2 - <strong>Literature</strong> <strong>Review</strong> 90