Status (updated 2/4/2008): Ongoing
Funding sources: CBE Industry Consortium
Project Objective
This project has two major objectives: (1) to develop and maintain the first website devoted to providing an unbiased source of knowledge on underfloor air distribution (UFAD) and related technologies; and (2) to provide technology transfer on UFAD design to CBE members and the building industry.
Significance to Industry
CBE has learned from field studies and industry feedback that incorrect design, specification and/or construction of UFAD plenums may be contributing to poorly performing buildings. Such projects do not realize the full benefits possible with UFAD systems, and slow wider adoption of the technology. Industry practitioners require specialized knowledge to avoid potential problems related to thermal decay, leakage, and thermal comfort.
CBE has made significant progress with its UFAD research, however a strong industry demand remains for the dissemination of these findings through multiple channels. This technology transfer program was developed to address these information needs by providing an unbiased description of UFAD technology.
Research Approach
This project supports the continuous maintenance of CBE's Underfloor Air Technology website, and efforts by CBE researchers to respond to the large number of requests for information on UFAD from CBE industry partners and the building industry at large.
CBE's UFAD technology website went live on the Internet in the fall of 2000, with the URL www.cbe.berkeley.edu/underfloorair. The content of the website is organized into five main categories including fundamentals, design guidelines, case studies, and UFAD events. Future activities include the posting of new CBE reports on: (1) indoor air quality, and (2) a cost analysis of UFAD systems. We will continue to post new material to the site on an ongoing basis, including case studies, design guidelines, and new research reports.
CBE's numerous articles on UFAD systems in the ASHRAE Journal, ASHRAE Transactions, and other publications have drawn many web users to the site. This underfloor website continues to provide a useful source of information for the building industry at large.
CBE staff also respond to regular inquiries from members of the building industry regarding correct design and operation of UFAD systems, UFAD benefits, and barriers to implementation. In addition, CBE staff provide regular UFAD training seminars and lectures at numerous industry events for engineers, architects, and facility management professionals.
Publications and Reports
Bauman, F., T. Webster, and H. Jin, 2006. Design Guidelines for Underfloor Plenums. HPAC Engineering, July. (external link)
Webster, T., and F. Bauman, 2006. Design Guidelines for Stratification in Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) Systems. HPAC Engineering, July. (external link)
Presentations
Bauman, F. 2005. Slide presentation from McCoy UFAD Workshop. Houston, TX, August 8. (PDF 3MB)
Bauman, F. 2005. Slide presentation from BetterBricks/ASHRAE Workshop. Seattle WA and Portland OR, September 7-8. (PDF 3MB)
