Standard Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution

1.1 This test method describes techniques using tracer gas dilution for determining a single zone's air change with the outdoors, as induced by weather conditions and by mechanical ventilation. These techniques are: (1) concentration decay, (2) constant injection, and (3) constant concentration.

1.2 This test method is restricted to any single tracer gas. The associated data analysis assumes that one can characterize the tracer gas concentration within the zone with a single value. The zone shall be a building, vehicle, test cell, or any conforming enclosure.

1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units, especially those of time.

1.4 Determination of the contribution to air change by individual components of the zone enclosure is beyond the scope of this test method.

1.5 The results from this test method pertain only to those conditions of weather and zonal operation that prevailed during the measurement. The use of the results from this test to predict air change under other conditions is beyond the scope of this test method.

1.6 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of this test method.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.