Proper ventilation is vital for all buildings. Laboratories in particular require sophisticated clean environment ventilation systems. These systems are often much different than those in commercial or industrial buildings. Addressing the unique ventilation needs of laboratories involves evaluating many different factors to optimize the system for the facility.
Why do Labs Need Clean Environment Ventilation Systems?
The goal of a clean environment ventilation system is to control the number of contaminants in a space. In labs, contaminants entering the air from outside the space can have negative impacts on laboratory processes. For instance, consider the risks of airborne bacteria entering a pharmaceutical laboratory where medicine is made. The results could be hazardous not only for lab personnel, but also the health and safety of those taking medications created in that pharmaceutical lab. This is just one example of why it’s necessary to control contaminants coming into a lab space.
Another important function of clean environment ventilation systems is to expel contaminants or impurities created by lab products or processes. Removing potentially harmful airborne contaminants like chemicals, fumes, vapors, and gases helps maintain laboratory safety for personnel. Contaminated air can be one of the largest safety hazards in laboratory environments, making ventilation systems critical for safety. Ridding the environment of contaminants is also necessary in many applications for maintaining process and product accuracy. Therefore, industrial fans and ventilation systems are essential for labs of all types and sizes.
Customizing Clean Environment Ventilation Systems to Your Laboratory Facility
As you know, not every lab is alike. Therefore, it is necessary to customize ventilation systems to your facility. Working with experienced ventilation design specialists can help as you optimize your system for your facility’s needs and standards.
When designing ventilation systems for laboratories, there are several factors to consider for system customization. One of the most straightforward is the size of your facility. Smaller laboratories typically need smaller ventilation systems, while larger facilities often need larger systems. Another factor to consider is the type of lab the ventilation system is for. For instance, a chemical lab often needs different exhaust solutions compared to a medical laboratory in a healthcare facility.
A good place to start as you consider your laboratory ventilation needs is to determine which classification your facility falls into based on ASHRAE standards. Classification levels are:
- Class 1: Laboratories with moderate contaminant levels that may cause low levels of irritation.
- Class 2: Facilities with moderate contaminant concentrations that may cause mild irritation.
- Class 3: Buildings with significant levels of contaminants that may cause higher levels of irritation.
- Class 4: Facilities with potentially dangerous contaminants at levels considered potentially harmful.
Knowing your facility’s classification can help guide you through when, where, and if air can be recirculated by the ventilation system. This can be helpful as you consider different options with your ventilation design experts. Many local authorities adopt similar codes and regulations, though it’s necessary to research any specific codes that apply to your facility to ensure your ventilation system complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
Considerations for Clean Environment Ventilation Systems
Clean environment ventilation systems are complex and must be designed for your specific facility and application. Therefore, you need to work with a ventilation specialist for successful ventilation design. However, there are a few things to keep in mind as you consider your lab’s ventilation needs.
Industrial Fans and Ventilation Systems for Personnel Comfort
When considering different solutions for your laboratory ventilation system, one of the first things to think about is how ventilation will affect the comfort of those inside the space. When we talk about clean environment ventilation systems, this often gets lost in the mix of discussing exhaust systems or air change rates. However, industrial fans and ventilation systems play vital roles in keeping people comfortable by maintaining acceptable temperature and humidity levels. For instance, in medical laboratories severe temperatures or humidity can not only cause discomfort for laboratory workers, but can also negatively impact the comfort and health of patients. As you look at ventilation solutions for your facility, don’t forget to consider how to make the environment comfortable for people inside.
Exhaust Systems for Expelling Contaminants
Also, exhaust systems are incredibly important for your clean environment ventilation system. Exhaust systems help remove impurities from your lab by discharging contaminated air elsewhere. Typically exhausted air is either treated through a filtration system and recirculated or it is vented out into the atmosphere. This is necessary for keeping contaminant levels low for health and safety.
Supply Air for Clean Environment Ventilation Systems
Supply air is also important for laboratory ventilation. Without enough supply air, exhaust systems cannot work properly. In many cases, labs utilize makeup air units to provide enough supply air for high exhaust demand. Supply air also plays an important role in maintaining the right pressure relationships between labs and other spaces. Supply air is typically air that is filtered to remove contaminants, fresh air from outdoors, or a combination of the two to help dilute contaminated air.
Air Changes Per Hour and Industrial Ventilation Control for Laboratories
One of the biggest questions many ask about laboratory ventilation is the recommended air change per hour. There is a lot of debate around this subject, with most experts and organizations recommending between four and twelve air changes per hour for lab environments. Generally the number of air changes per hour depends on many different unique factors of your laboratory environment, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Therefore, it’s important to discuss the particulars of industrial ventilation control and air exchange rate in detail with your ventilation specialists to find what works best for your facility.
Energy Use for Laboratory Ventilation Systems
As you consider different options for equipment and ventilation system design, also think about energy use needed for these systems. Of course, the main priority of a ventilation system is to help keep personnel and processes safe from impurities and contaminants. However, some people opt for unnecessarily aggressive systems that offer excessive air flow. It’s generally a good rule of thumb to err on the side of caution and have too much ventilation than not enough. Yet, going overboard can have huge impacts on your facility’s energy consumption. So, it makes sense to also consider if there are energy-saving ways to implement safe ventilation systems for your laboratory environment.
Superior Ventilation Solutions at Eldridge – Your Source for Ventilation Design and Installation
Our ventilation experts at Eldridge offer innovative solutions for all types of facilities. We offer 75 years of service to facilities all over the country. Whether you need ventilation system design for your laboratory or need heavy-duty ventilation for marine applications, we have options to fit your needs. Contact us now to get a quote for your ventilation system.