Ventilate

Ventilation is the process of exchanging or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality. This involves temperature control, oxygen replenishment, and removal of moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, carbon dioxide, and other gases. Ventilation includes both the exchange of air with the outside as well as circulation of air within the building. It is one of the most important factors for maintaining acceptable indoor air quality in buildings.

Methods of ventilation

Ventilation is divided into two types: mechanical/forced and natural ventilation.

Mechanical ventilation is used to control indoor air quality. Excess humidity, odors, and contaminants can often be controlled via dilution or replacement with outside air. However, in humid climates much energy is required to remove excess moisture from ventilation air.

Natural ventilation is the ventilation of a building with outside air without using fans or other mechanical systems. It can be achieved with openable windows or trickle vents when the spaces to ventilate are small and the architecture permits. In more complex schemes, warm air in the building can be allowed to rise and flow out upper openings to the outside (Stack effect), causing cool outside air to be drawn into the building naturally through openings in the lower areas.

Ventilation rates

Ventilation rates are important for indoor air quality. The design of effective ventilation systems is complex because each building has its own unique layout and occupancy. The amount of ventilation required depends on the design of the building, the type of work being performed, the number of occupants, and the amount of equipment in use.

Health aspects

Poorly ventilated or overly humid spaces may increase the risk of respiratory illness. In particular, damp and moldy environments can cause respiratory symptoms and conditions such as asthma. Ventilation might be one of the most important factors in preventing the transmission of airborne illnesses such as tuberculosis.

See also

• Air changes per hour
• Building services engineering
• HVAC
• Indoor air quality
• Sick building syndrome

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