Air Changes per minute (ACM) [or air changes per hour (ACH)] is generally used a way to measure the dilution ventilation rate. Air exchange rate means replacing the entire volume of air in the workspace in one minute or one hour. The following formula can be used to determine the air exchange rate:
Or, if the ceiling height is 20 feet high then the room volume is 40 feet X 40 feet X 20 feet high= 32,000 cubic feet and the required air flow rate will be as follows:
The required air change rate is sometimes given in ventilation regulations and ventilation design standards. For example, a flammable storage room requires six air changes per hour according to US OSHA requirements. The Canadian National Building Code (NBC) requires residential houses to mechanical ventilation system capable of providing at least one half (0.5) air changes per hour during the heating season to avoid chimney back drafting.
Are there any design standards available?Although there are not many specific government codes and regulations, there are many recommended standards. The important ones are described below (in no particular order):
Please see the OSH Answers document "Industrial Ventilation - Glossary of Common Terms" for a description of the acronyms.
Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act - Regulation 851 for Industrial Establishments (section 127 & 128) mentions general requirements for adequate ventilation and replacement air.
British Columbia O.H.& S Regulation - BC Regulation 296/297 Part 5.60-5.71 gives the detailed requirements for dilution ventilation, LEV, make-up air, discharged air and recirculation of discharged air. For details visit their web site: www.worksafebc.com
OSHA - This US Government agency has promulgated a few ventilation standards, e.g., the four standards in 29CFR1910.94 dealing with local exhaust systems. OSHA's construction standards in 29CFR1926 contain ventilation standards for welding. Such ventilation systems are "required," but OSHA usually does not consider its ventilation standards violated unless exposure standards are also violated.
NIOSH - This US Government research organization has published a number of useful ventilation documents, including publications on foundry ventilation, recirculation, and push - pull hoods.
AMCA - This US trade association has developed standards and testing procedures for fans. It has a number of useful publications related to fan selection, testing, troubleshooting and certification (e.g., AMCA 201).
ASHRAE - This US based society of heating and air conditioning engineers has produced a number of standards related to indoor air quality (IAQ), filter performance and testing comfort, and HVAC systems.
ANSI -This US based consensus standards setting organization has produced several important standards on ventilation including paint spray booths, grinding exhaust hoods, open sun tank exhausts and laboratory ventilation.
ACGIH - The ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Committee publishes the manual of recommended practice for industrial ventilation. The Manual has been recognized worldwide a useful source of information on all aspects of IVS.
SMACNA - This US association of sheet metal contractors and suppliers sets standards for ducts and duct installation.
NFPA - This US based fire protection association has produced a number of recommendations (which become requirements when adopted by local fire agencies), e.g. NFPA 45 lists a number of ventilation requirements for Lab Fume hood use.
BUILDING CODES - There are building codes set or adopted by almost every city, county and municipality. All industrial buildings have to be built to these codes in order to have a building accepted. However, most have little direct reference to industrial ventilation, but these codes need to be checked.
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