Transport of gaseous pollutants from underground garage in high residential building under mediterranean climate

Indoor air dynamics and quality in high residential buildings (HRB) is affected by building parameters, pollution source location, and outdoor meteorological conditions. The present study used CONTAM simulations to investigate the impact of changing outdoor temperature, wind speed and direction on the indoor distribution of inert pollutant (CO) emitted in underground central garage of an HRB. Simulations were performed for warm and cold weathers, under both steady and transient conditions. Results reviled a complex indoor distribution pattern under combine stack and wind effects. The strongest transport of pollutant to the higher floors was observed during cold weather and low wind speed. The significant difference in air concentration between windward and leeward apartments obtained under steady simulations was reduced under transient conditions where temperature, wind speed and direction vary during the day. This result emphasizes the importance of using realistic outdoor conditions for estimation of indoor air quality.