Building Characterization
The projects in this research area address (substantial) gaps in the knowledge of how residential, commercial and institutional buildings actually behave and how their performance can be accurately and cost-effectively characterized. One of the main goals is to develop a database of comprehensive measurement and verification information on the indoor environmental quality of typical (non-problem) commercial and institutional buildings. An integrated building protocol that includes the measurement of thermal comfort, lighting, sound, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, and airborne and surface associated mold was developed. In concert with the collection of measurements, questionnaire evaluations of occupant perception with their indoor workplace environment are incorporated to provide for correlation with the measurements, building design, and construction characteristics to assist in establishing guidance for building technology and energy issues. A second major objective was to develop an online based storage and access system, the Building Sciences Database, which allow third parties to gain quick access to results of the NCEMBT research projects, particularly the building normative database.
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Building Systems
The projects in this research area deal with gaps as they pertain to design, construction or operation of specific building systems or subassemblies. Current focus in this area is on air distribution knowledge gaps in both residential and commercial systems, particularly on underfloor air distribution and impact of duct construction practices on energy consumption and system performance. A second focal point is new filtration and air cleaning technologies and their impact on energy consumption and indoor environmental quality in both commercial and residential environments. Efforts in the filtration area have resulted in the formation of the Air Purification Consortium.
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Building Services
The projects in this sub-portfolio concentrate on issues relating to the continued operation and maintenance of commercial and institutional buildings and the lack of proper servicing procedures from commissioning to scheduled maintenance. Particular focus is on education of all stake holders and identification of institutional barriers to application of commissioning and proper maintenance procedures and policies. Several projects in this area center on developing tools and guidelines for commissioning of residential and commercial systems.
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Building Security & Resilience
This is a new research area focusing on issues related to building resiliency / security. The goal is to develop tools for professionals (architects, engineers, etc.), contractors and technicians allowing them to assess the preparedness, i.e., resiliency, of a building with regard to extraordinary incident.
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