Input data for moisture profiles in multi-family residential buildings

In Nordic countries, residential ventilation serves a dual purpose: to keep indoor pollutants at low levels and to prevent moisture damage due to interstitial condensation or high indoor humidity. Recent studies indicate that current ventilation rates provide reasonable reduction of moisture damage risk and leads to very dry indoor conditions. Available simulation software allows designers to simulate indoor conditions with correct input data. Representative usage profiles and moisture loads would facilitate the determination of optimal ventilation rates. In this paper we propose an approach to generating usage profiles for newer apartment blocks in Norway on the basis of questionnaire data, user diaries and measurements as well as data from the literature and standards. Some values for representative moisture loads from showering and cooking are suggested.