Book Description

An eight-day simulation occupancy test was performed on a second floor 255-occupant fallout shelter, using only natural forces to supply ventilation air. The purpose of the test was to collect data necessary to develop a procedure to predict the natural ventilation rates that will result in above-ground fallout shelters. Moderate prevailing winds provided the primary air moving force; thermal effects were secondary. Even during periods of calm winds, considerable air flow was measured through the shelter (a minimum of 16 cfm per occupant). This test provided further validity to the supposition that natural ventilation is adequate for most above-ground shelters with windows. In general, correlation was not obtained between measured ventilation rates and those computed from methods presented in the literature. Future natural ventilation tests will use more accurate instrumentation.