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One of the greatest factors affecting the indoor air quality within a building is the air outside. Dispersion modeling addresses the relationship of environmental factors between an existing or planned building and its surroundings. For instance, if a newly built hospital facility is next to a laboratory that has exhaust emissions, it is necessary to understand how those emissions are dispersed and how and if they will affect the new hospital and its occupants. EH&E can provide a client with complete dispersion modeling services, including:
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Identification and development of appropriate scenarios for a particular site.
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Access to government approved and private sector computer models and the skills to operate them.
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Interpretation of the quantitative results so that the client can make an informed decision.
EH&E offers the latest technology in simulation modeling to evaluate the design of a building before it is actually constructed. Our engineers use specialized computer-based modeling to refine the design of interdependent features such as orientation, daylighting, alternative building shell design, and various mechanical system options. The designers and owners of the building can then preview the results of specific choices and obtain an accurate forecast of how the building will operate. In essence, this technology allows building owners and designers to “test-drive” the building before it is constructed.
High-performance, or “green” buildings, are designed, constructed, and operated to be healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and productive. High performance buildings are now a reality, and EH&E has extensive experience in the commissioning of these types of buildings. Based on our expertise in “green” strategies and technologies, EH&E has designed a systematic process of review, performance verification, operator training, and documentation to ensure that all building operating systems provide the integrated performance required to meet the design intent.
Hi-performance or “green” buildings often utilize the latest in efficient or low-emission materials to maximize energy savings and air quality. During the design phase, our engineers use a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) program to compare and substitute various products and materials used in buildings. Ultimately, EH&E can evaluate the pros and cons of the use or substitution of materials used within a specific building. These evaluations provide the actual cost-benefits of substitutions over the entire life of the building.
Occupant health and environmental complaints are often the result of the unintended passage of contaminant-laden air from a source area (or areas) into occupied spaces. By releasing a tracer gas in selected locations and measuring its concentrations, it is possible to determine the paths of air movement in affected areas. This information may be used to identify containment sources or estimate occupant exposures to prior contaminant releases.
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