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I'm writing some fiction which involves the AC in a modern glass curtain skyscraper (50-80 floors?) in an American city failing for a period of weeks, maybe even for up to two months.

Could anybody attempt to predict the type of conditions which one might encounter inside? Presumably it would be extremely hot and possibly humid. Would there be a build-up of condensation? Would this create opportunities for mildew and mold? I'm guessing that this (and the heat) would make it difficult for complex electronics to continue to work reliably under these conditions (unless hardened, somehow)?

As it seems possible to detach glass pane modules in these buildings, if not smash the individual panes (due to multiple panes, lamination, etc), one imagines that some folks might attempt to do so in order to create ventilation of some kind. Would this create some kind of vortex-like condition where a hot wind would blow up through the structure and out through the now-open blocks of space in the walls?

My research online so far seems to mainly turn up historical examples and best practices, rather than answer my what-ifs...!

https://www.coolyoudirect.co.uk/blog/why-every-skyscraper-apartment-needs-air-conditioning/

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-39735802

https://archive.curbed.com/2017/5/9/15583550/air-conditioning-architecture-skyscraper-wright-lever-house

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtain_wall_(architecture)

Would appreciate if anybody with relevant skills/experience can provide answers (or point me in the direction of better research)!

Reverend Speed
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    Open the doors at the bottom and windows at the top and you have a chimney - see Richard Hammond about the Burg El Arab... – Solar Mike Jul 14 '21 at 21:03
  • @SolarMike - Watching a documentary on the subject now! I guessed there would be a chimney-like effect, but the Burj Al Arab has a single large atrium - would you still get that effect in a building that was more corridor and shaft and vent? Could air from the parking lot get pullet up to the top floors, etc...? – Reverend Speed Jul 15 '21 at 01:03
  • Actually there are design considerations to prevent the elevator shafts from becoming air extractors/chimneys. – blacksmith37 Jul 15 '21 at 02:57
  • Do you mean the ventilation system goes down, or just the cooling loop? – Carl Witthoft Jul 15 '21 at 11:59
  • @SolarMike I know of no modern building, even those with windows that open, that have open (air) paths from doors at ground level to windows. You'll have to open every office door, every fire escape door, etc, and even then I'm skeptical you'll get sufficient airflow to keep the typical office supplied with healthy air. – Carl Witthoft Jul 15 '21 at 12:00
  • @CarlWitthoft - "Do you mean the ventilation system goes down, or just the cooling loop?" I'm not fully familiar with either, but I'd imagine both, though possibly not at the same time. Perhaps the ventilation system initially, then the cooling loop? – Reverend Speed Jul 15 '21 at 13:53
  • @blacksmith37 Understood, I'll look into this (happy to read some reference if you can point me at it! =D) – Reverend Speed Jul 15 '21 at 13:54
  • @CarlWitthoft -Regards, "I know of no modern building, ..." Watched the doc that I think SolarMike was referring to, he may have been referring to the issue where with heavy cold air pressure at the base of the building, it becomes difficult to open doors to the exterior, necessitating revolving doors to act as an airlock. In my situation, there's a supernatural (apocalyptic?) cause, so bending the rules re. airflow might be possible, though I'd prefer to keep to something semi realistic within the circumstances detailed above (ie. aircon broken over extended period, maybe lose a window or so) – Reverend Speed Jul 15 '21 at 14:04

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