Specifications

10
Problem Description Can Occur when.. Possible Solutions
Stack effect created inside
the building
Stack effect is a symptom
primarily experienced in
multistory buildings. The
stack effect in itself is not a
problem. It is a very
common phenomenon in
high-rise buildings where
it is ‘enhanced’ by the
existence of elevators that
constantly change the
pressure when ascending
and descending. Efforts
to ‘control’ the stack effect
often lead to a pressurized
building, so by ‘solving’ one
problem, another – worse
problem could be created.
In some literature,
expressions like
“high-pressure plane”,
“low-pressure plane” and
“neutral-pressure plane” can
be found. These
expressions are used in
conjunction with
re-rating of doors, and
have no scientic meaning
within the building science.
“Stack-effect” is a word
used in the science of IAQ.
or Indoor Air Quality, as an
explanation of how
pollutants are transported
within a building.
Open-red heating
appliances often
experience draft problems
when exposed to the stack
effect. The chimney draft is
eliminated due to
negative pressure at the
inlet of the heating
appliance, so spillage
occurs immediately during
start-up.
• Heating appliances are
placed in multi-story
buildings.
• Install a mechanical air
supply fan to provide air into
the building close to where
the heating appliance is
located.
• “Isolate” the heating
appliance from the negative
pressure by building a room
to place the appliance, and
supply combustion air to it.
• Install a mechanical
venting system. Installing a
mechanical venting system
is often the simplest, most
effective and least
expensive solution to stack
effect problems. Other
solutions can interfere
dramatically with the
building operation and lead
to dismal energy efciency.