An airplane hangar can be a very hot place to work during a Texas summer. The perfect combination of solar heat load, a metal skinned building and no air movement was driving the inside temperature to intolerable levels. Before their employees had to endure another summer working in the excess heat, this airplane hangar owner called Eldridge to solve their ventilation problem and create a successful environment.
Ventilation System Design
During the initial design meeting, the customer stated that their goals for the ventilation system were:
- Remove the excess heat caused by the solar load;
- Create air movement at floor level; and
- Minimize fan noise.
To accomplish the first goal, we designed a system that utilized the large hanger door as the system supply and then added two panel fans on the opposite wall for the system exhaust. 
The exhaust fans were sized to provide sufficient air flow to remove the solar load which would mean that the temperature inside the hanger would be the same as the outside temperature on sunny days.
For most ventilation systems we prefer to use direct drive fans instead of belt drive fans because there are no maintenance issues with direct drive fans. However, for this application there was a goal to keep the fan noise to an absolute minimum because of the need for employees to communicate with each other. To accomplish the goal of minimal fan noise with a direct drive fan, we chose to use low RPM motors.
The last goal that we need to achieve was to provide air movement at floor level. Because the hangar door was so large, the velocity of the entering air was too low. We wanted air movement of at least 200 ft/min to create the evaporate cooling effect that happens when sweat evaporates. The best solution was to install one large HVLS fan in the center of the hangar that provided the need air movement at floor level.
Conclusion
Accomplishing all three goals with our ventilation system design created the successful environment that the customer wanted for their employees. Now instead of working in excessive heat caused by solar load and lack of air movement, the employees are enjoying the perception of temperatures 8 to 10 degrees F below the outside temperature. If you want to create a successful environment for your facility, contact an Eldridge ventilation expert.