Simply put, ventilation is the process of replacing stale air with fresh air. Ventilation is important as without it, you risk air becoming stagnant, where bacteria and carbon can build up, making the air harmful and polluted.
Commercial spaces, including offices, need to stay adequately ventilated at all times. Ventilation is paramount in regards to safety, as the severity of airborne diseases and illnesses that come from stale and stagnant air can have serious legal implications for the building owner should a building be found to have inadequate ventilation. Amongst the list of dangerous airborne diseases and illnesses that can be harboured by stagnant air is COVID-19. Office spaces with improper air circulation can become a breeding ground for the virus, which may make a return this winter.
Where is Ventilation Needed?
As an essential part of any HVAC system, ventilation is important and necessary anywhere people congregate. With an influence over air quality and energy efficiency, proper ventilation controls odour, dilutes harmful gases (such as carbon dioxide), and reduces the spread of respiratory diseases.
How Buildings are Ventilated
Ventilation can be split into two main categories, natural ventilation and mechanical or forced ventilation. Generally, natural ventilation is the preferred method where possible. However, this may not be possible for various reasons, so a mechanical ventilation solution must be implemented to ventilate the commercial space properly.
Natural Ventilation
By using the natural flow and movement of air, ventilation is possible for some buildings without using any energy. There are many ways to achieve this; some you might not even consider ventilation. For example, opening windows allows for increased airflow, ventilating a building. Other examples of natural ventilation include solar chimneys to increase stack ventilation and trickle vents above windows and doors that allow air transfer at a reasonable rate.
Mechanical Ventilation
Unlike natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation relies on actively pumping and moving air throughout a building to increase ventilation to a much higher rate. Whilst mechanical ventilation isn’t always preferable due to the energy cost and increased carbon footprint of mechanical systems, it is often necessary for various reasons, including:
- The building is too far from the perimeter to ventilate naturally.
- Poor local air quality, preventing the windows from being opened.
- High levels of local noise that prevent the windows from being opened.
- Dense local urban structure that prevents any wind
- Increased privacy or security requirements prevent windows from being opened.
- Internal partitioning that prevents natural airflow.
- The density of occupants and equipment creates increased heat loads or high contaminants.
Mechanical ventilation solutions from Accurate Mechanical Services are an effective way to ventilate any commercial space, including offices, hospitals and warehouses
Why is Ventilation So Important in Air Conditioning
Adequate ventilation, especially commercial ventilation, is essential as it keeps people safe by reducing contaminants and reducing the spread of airborne and respiratory diseases. Without ventilation, commercial spaces can harbour dangerous levels of contaminants and become breeding grounds for a variety of hazardous and harmful respiratory diseases and illnesses, which could open you or your company to serious legal action should anyone be harmed. Some air conditioning units qualify as ‘balanced ventilation’ as they clean and freshen the air that passes through them, it’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer or supplier/installer if your unit is included under this category. However, even if your air conditioning unit does qualify as this, it isn’t a replacement for an effective ventilation system.
Because of the severe implications of inadequate ventilation, ventilation in commercial spaces such as offices, warehouses and factories needs to be taken extremely seriously. In the case of improper commercial ventilation leading to airborne disease and illnesses spreading in an office or other commercial environments, an effective commercial ventilation solution could mean the difference between legal action from an affected employee or customer.
Commercial Ventilation Solutions from AMS
If you need specialist advice regarding commercial ventilation solutions, get in contact with Accurate Mechanical Services. We’re proven providers of HVAC solutions and services in the South East, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning on a commercial scale. With a breadth of experience in equipping commercial office spaces with ventilation and heating, we’re sure to be able to help you achieve safe and effective ventilation in any space.