Thermal reliability of residential buildings walls and coatings in Ukraine

Abstract The article analyzes changes in the level of thermal reliability of residential buildings walls and coatings in Ukraine. Numerical indicator of thermal reliability is the probable duration of thermal failure state according to the comfort criterion, which occurs when the permissible temperature difference between internal air and internal surface of the building enclosure is exceeded. The research was carried out according to the methodology published in the author’s previous works, which allows determining the probable duration of thermal failure state, taking into account the statistical characteristics of the atmospheric air temperature in each of the administrative regions of Ukraine. It has been established that within the territory of Ukraine, probable duration of walls thermal failures varies from 7 to 12 minutes per year, and those of coatings - from 153 to 221 minutes per year. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Southern Coast of Crimea with a warmer climate are characterized by a significantly shorter duration of thermal failures. The analysis of obtained values of thermal failures probable duration indicates an uneven level of thermal reliability of residential buildings walls and combined coatings in Ukraine. For a more accurate equalization of thermal reliability indicators across the territory, it is advisable to clarify the division of Ukraine into temperature zones. For the northeastern regions, it is recommended to slightly increase, and for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Southern Coast of Crimea, to reduce the minimum permissible values of walls and coatings heat transfer resistance.