Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
chapter one
Indoor environments
Humans in developed countries have, in the past few millennia, advanced
from depending on rock shelters, caves, and rude huts to protect themselves
from the elements to modern single- and multifamily dwellings and other
buildings that provide amenities and conveniences far beyond the basic
needs of shelter — conveniences that ensure comfort whatever the vagaries
of weather and climate.
Our world is one of the structures that shelter our many activities: the
small to grand shells that house a myriad of industrial processes and activ-
ities; institutional buildings such as schools, universities, hospitals, and gov-
ernment buildings; automobiles, trains, planes, and ships that provide trans-
portation as well as shelter; shopping malls and office complexes where we
trade goods and services; and cinemas, theaters, museums, and grand stadia
that provide venues for entertainment.
Built environments comprise a diversity of functions, magnitudes, and,
of course, forms. In addition to functional aspects, built environments reflect
human aspirations and creativity. They also reflect more fundamental factors,
such as the diversity and availability of construction materials, climate,
cultural tastes, and human foibles.
We attempt to keep rain, snow, and wind out of our indoor environments;
provide and maintain warm thermal conditions in seasonally cold climates;
provide cooler and more acceptable conditions in hot climates; and mechan-
ically ventilate our larger buildings to reduce odors and discomfort associ-
ated with human bioeffluents. Our ability to control thermal comfort and
other aspects of indoor environments requires the application of a variety of
climate-control technologies and a commitment to operate them properly.
The built environments of man are fragile artifacts. They are in constant
peril from forces by which the earth renders all things unto itself. Just as
water, ice, and wind level the mountains with time, so too do they act to
level what man has built. Though the forms of ancient temples and buildings
