[en] In the years 2005 to 2008, the Radon situation and the relevant processes in different public buildings have been investigated. The results confirm that the Radon concentrations in times of using can be quite different from that of non-using periods. This is mainly caused by the differing conditions of air changement. Because of the narrow connection between the interior Radon concentration and air changement it is obvious to consider in complex the Radon situation together with measures for interior hygiene and energy saving. (orig.)

[en] In accordance with federal legislation, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has conducted a project to demonstrate use of its Energy Conservation Voluntary Performance Standards for Commercial and Multi-Family High-Rise Residential Buildings; Mandatory for New Federal Buildings; Interim Rule (referred to in this report as DOE-1993). A key requisite of the legislation requires DOE to develop commercial building energy standards that are cost effective. During the demonstration project, DOE specifically addressed this issue by assessing the impacts of the standards on (1) construction costs, (2) builders (and especially small builders) of multi-family, high-rise buildings, and (3) the ability of low-to moderate-income persons to purchase or rent units in such buildings. This document reports on this project

[en] This report documents the involvement of the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) in hazard mitigation, particularly in relation to earthquakes. It encompasses the history of the Uniform Building Code^TM (U.B.C) provisions as they apply to earthquake hazard mitigation. Also discussed is Executive Order 12699. Conference membership services and benefits are reviewed and the future of ICBO, building codes and hazard mitigation are examined. The U.B.C. seismic provisions make a vast contribution to the design of buildings for seismic safety

[en] 2020 marks 25 years since Olivier Guillitte defined the term ‘bioreceptivity’, to describe the ability of a building material to be colonised by living organisms. Although Guillitte noted in his 1995 paper that several issues required further investigation, to the best of our knowledge the bioreceptivity concept has not been restated, reviewed, reanalysed or updated since then. The present paper provides an opinionated exposition of the status and utility of the bioreceptivity concept for built heritage science and conservation in the light of current knowledge, aimed to stimulate further discussion. A bibliometric analysis highlights the key dimensions of the past 25 years of published research, showing that the term bioreceptivity has been widely used in the field of built cultural heritage. In our reanalysis of the concept, special attention is devoted to the six types of bioreceptivity (primary, secondary, tertiary, intrinsic, extrinsic and semi-extrinsic) articulated by Guillitte in 1995. We propose that field-based studies of bioreceptivity are urgently needed, and that the intrinsic, extrinsic and semi-extrinsic types of bioreceptivity should be dropped, and a new category (quaternary bioreceptivity) added. Additionally, we propose that bioreceptivity in submerged and subsoil environments should also be considered. Bioreceptivity remains an important concept for managing both new build and built heritage, as it provides the key to understanding the drivers and patterns of biological colonisation of building materials.

[en] This examination looks at the properties and advantages of clay use as building material that improves natural assurance. The reasoning for this assessment originates from the perspectives held by researchers that clay earth blocks are more liked as supportable structure materials; nonetheless, there is restricted examination into whether the decision of mud materials is impacted simply by its natural advantages. To accomplish the particular exploration targets a blended examination strategy was utilized. The techniques adopted incorporate writing audit, subjective (inquiries questions) and quantitative (poll questionnaire) research strategies, including the review of the chose building and common development firms in Katsina, Kano and Kaduna provinces of Nigeria. The exploration information gathered dependent on the financial, social and ecological properties of clay earth and its advantages in natural properties was examined utilizing unmistakable factual strategies. The examination tracked down that the financial parts of clay earth make it more critical as a structural material that is helpful in built environment. The examination findings suggest further investigation into the improvement of clay as a structural material that tends to the manageable triple main concern of economics matters, social and natural necessities. (paper)

[en] The ITER site has not yet been determined. Nevertheless, to develop a construction plan and a cost estimate, it is necessary to have a detailed layout of the buildings, structures and outdoor equipment integrated with the balance of plant service systems prototypical of large fusion power plants. These services include electrical power for magnet feeds and plasma heating systems, cryogenic and conventional cooling systems, compressed air, gas supplies, demineralized water, steam and drainage. Nuclear grade facilities are provided to handle tritium fuel and activated waste, as well as to prevent radiation exposure of workers and the public. To prevent interference between services of different types and for efficient arrangement of buildings, structures and equipment within the site area, a plan was developed which segregated different classes of services to four quadrants surrounding the tokamak building, placed at the approximate geographical centre of the site. The locations of the buildings on the generic site were selected to meet all design requirements at minimum total project cost. A similar approach was used to determine the locations of services above, at and below grade. The generic site plan can be adapted to the site selected for ITER without significant changes to the buildings or equipment. Some rearrangements may be required by site topography, resulting primarily in changes to the length of services that link the buildings and equipment. (author)

[en] Short communication

[en] Termites are one of the social insects living in large colonies that can cause economic loss. The objective of this study was to estimate foraging territory of infested subterranean termites on building structure. A mark-recapture study was conducted on eight Coptotermes gestroi colonies located at selected infested building structures in Penang, Malaysia. From the foraging study, the population of C. gestroi was estimated to be within the range of 106,592±6,968 to 4,185,000±2,127,328. Additionally, the foraging territory was from 13 to 300 m"2 of the infested building structures. Meanwhile the maximum foraging distance was from 4 to 30 m of the infested structures. The results indicated that each of the building structures was infested by a single colony. This study also showed that the triple mark recapture technique used to estimate the population size of the termite colony was capable of providing rough estimates of foraging population of C. gestroi. (author)

[en] As a preparation to a new photovoltaic covenant for the period 2001-2007 the Photovoltaic (PV) Steering Group ordered Ekomation to map the market potential (in Megawatt) for grid-connected PV systems of the most important market segments in the Netherlands. Two workshops were organized in which the most important parties (both supply-side and demand-side of the market) were involved in the discussion on the desired market strategy up to the year 2007, the most important market segments and the tools, required for market development. Results of the quantitative and qualitative market survey and the workshops are presented and discussed in this report. 20 refs

[en] Short communication. 2 tabs