Ventilation survey plays very vital role in understanding indoor quality in industries, homes, schools or offices and based on Ventilation survey reports steps can be taken to repair ventilation system.
Research shows that right indoor air quality improves productivity of employees. It reduces accidents, absenteeism and chemical exposure of employees resulting in improving profit for business.
In ventilation survey information is collected by building inspection, measurement of air exchange, pressure, carbon dioxide & particulate matter (PM10 & PM2.5) concentrations through main flow-paths of ventilation system.
Ventilation Survey Procedure
Natural ventilation through open window is effective strategy to maintain clean air and temperature in some portions of cooling season. To calculate energy saved in buildings through natural ventilation one has to calculate air flow.
Measurements of airflow needs to be taken from all underground facilities at times and places to:
- Ensure all places in industries, offices, schools or homes can receive their required airflows in an efficient and effective manner
- Verify ventilation plans are upto date and provide information for short and long term ventilation planning
- To identify the extent of air leakage, in case of any repair the same
- To identify locations where boosters fans are reuired
- To verify direction of airflow, quantities and separate identities of inlet and outlet are maintained
Also routine measurements of pressure measurement across doors maintained within limits and in correct direction.
Read more about Ventilation Survey Procedure.
Measurement of Air Exchange of Airflow
These are very common surveys and are conducted to check design of air flow reach to all sections of area. In this survey complaints are investigated in airflow or air conditioning and to upgrade Level, stope, isometric and escape maps. This survey provides information about the quantity of air is flowing through the selected area.
Intake and Exhaust Surveys
In this survey, measure focus is on how fresh air is distributed at work areas and how the exhaust is collected. Obviously, Fresh air should be distributed as per the work area requirement. Ideally, fresh air should reach where workers are working so that it can improve their efficiency.
Pressure Quantity Survey
Pressure quantity survey are conducted to provide information on branch resistance data for ventilation network and to identify bottlenecks in airflow. Barometric pressure is also measured in this survey to get information on air pressure in different areas. Normally pressures on doors, regulators and seals are measured to identify blockages.
Indoor Air Quality Surveys
Pressure-volume surveys are focused on distribution of airflow around ventilation system whereas Indoor air quality surveys plays major roles in ventilation surveys and are conducted to monitor harmful gases contamination such as Dust, i.e. Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), Heat, Humidity, Noise and Illumination in work area. As quality of air in offices and homes directly effects on health of individuals hence, this survey provides us valuable information about sources of indoor air quality pollution at workplace. Required action can be taken based on data received from Indoor air quality survey.
Equipment Surveys
In these surveys, all equipments related to ventilation system such as Primary and auxiliary fans, ductwork, services water systems and all air conditioning systems are checked if functioning properly. Ventilation equipment is too much expensive to operate inefficiently.
Ventilation Surveys and Services
Perfect Pollucon Services offers Ventilation surveys and services for our clients. These surveys are performed by our experts and experienced staff. We provide suggestions or recommendations to improve ventilation system after ventilation survey performance data. The evaluation of the Ventilation system in combination as per the ACGIH standards are performed under these surveys.
We use equipments such as Anemometer, Noise level monitor, Indoor air quality monitor, smoke tube while performing ventilation survey. Wind rose diagrams gives us more insights to wind speed and direction to improve ventilation.
Contact us now to avail these services.
A Major Objective of the Ventilation Survey is to collect data for determining the distribution of Airflow, Pressure and Air quantity throughout the main flow paths of the ventilation system along with calculating the resistance of the airways in the Ventilation network.
ASHRAE says that homes receive 0.35 air changes per hour but not less than 15 cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) per person.
The Ventilation Efficiency Quotient can be defined as the ratio of the total amount of air reaching the working faces to the total amount (volume in cubic feet per minute) of air handled by the fan.
There are many types of ventilations such as: Natural Ventilation, Mechanized ventilation, exhaust ventilation, supply ventilation, balanced ventilation, smoke ventilation, hybrid Ventilation etc.
Check if ventilation equipment is installed and working fine, check ventilation equipment filters regularly and clean them whenever required to keep them efficient, check the operation of a remote controller for ventilation equipment, and create an air passage by opening windows and entrance doors to ensure proper ventilation.
You may notice that your nose runs more frequently or that you get stopped up overnight. Itchy, watery eyes, sore throats and skin rashes can all result from inadequate fresh air. These symptoms can have other reasons, of course, which is why Perfect Pollucon Services recommends a professional inspection.
To check home ventilation you should take an indoor air quality test from a professional to get a detailed analysis of Home ventilation. You can do a few tests by yourself like checking air condensation on windows (lower the better), no signs of mould, exhaust fans in working condition and lastly good Humidity levels maintains indoors.
as per Safework, Harmful ventilation systems in the workplace create an atmosphere where minimal air movement results in the accumulation of contaminated air especially CO2, exposing workers to potentially hazardous conditions for the duration of their working day. They may then suffer the health effects beyond the workplace.
Ventilation is one of the most important parts of daily life at the workplace. Good ventilation will save energy, improve employee working efficiency and improve indoor air quality. Good Ventilation reduces air pollutants, expels CO2, draws fresh air from outside and controls temperature and humidity.
Sources:
http://web.mst.edu/~tien/218/survey.pdf
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/pdf/FSEC-CR-163-86.pdf
https://www.mvsengineering.com/files/Subsurface-Book/MVS-SVE_Chapter06.pdf