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Controlling Ventilation Air Flows

Animation Series 1:
Controlling Ventilation Air Flows
  1. Desired Ventilation Flows
  2. Overcrowded Offices
  3. Air Handling Unit Contaminated
  4. Outdoor Air Damper Opening Reduced
  5. Exhaust Not Operating Properly
  6. Supply Air to Office Shut Off or Pinched Down
  7. Economizer Operating
  8. Contaminated Outdoor Air

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Overcrowded Offices

3. More people means additional outdoor air and higher internal heat gains 2. In order to maintain good indoor air quality, the outdoor air volume 3. As more people are crowded into offices, indoor pollution increases

Mouse over the animated picture above to see messages which are referenced in more detail below.
Pressure relationships between rooms is designated at the bottom of each room (with a plus for positive and minus for negative pressure).

  1. [OCCUPANCY]  As more people are crowded into offices, indoor pollution increases unless outdoor air ventilation is also increased. Notice how pollution levels inside the crowded offices have increased because of overcrowding without adequate ventilation. The risk of disease transmission among occupants also increases because they are close together. Overcrowded office space is not good for occupant health.

  2. [OUTDOOR AIR]  In order to maintain good indoor air quality, the outdoor air volume must be increased when occupancies increase in order to provide adequate dilution of indoor contaminants.   But increasing the outdoor air in hot weather could strain the cooling capacity of the HVAC system, and in cold weather, may call forth additional demand for preheating incoming air to avoid coil freezing. Overcrowded office space is not good for energy efficient building operations.
     
  3. [AIR HANDLING UNIT CAPACITY]  More people means additional outdoor air and higher internal heat gains. This could strain the cooling capacity of the HVAC system.   Further, more outdoor air in cold weather could result in coil freezing. Building managers should keep a close eye on the actual occupancy of the building relative to the existing outdoor air settings and the HVAC system’s cooling capacity and preheat needs.   Overcrowding is not a good idea for HVAC equipment.

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