Ventilation is essential to maintaining good air quality in any industrial building. The good news is that ventilation is free when integrated with the heating system. Howard Davies of Nordair Niche explains.
Air quality in industrial buildings can soon become fouled up once the production process gets into full swing. Certain industries are prone to airborne particles that can make life unpleasant for employees. Automotive manufacturing processes, for example, produce oil haze that hangs in the air. In other industries, chemical processes may produce unpleasant vapours.
COSHH regulations require, as a minimum, ‘a good standard of general ventilation and good working practice’, particularly when working with substances hazardous to health. For very hazardous substances, extract ventilation is often required, but a good level of ventilation that will maintain air quality can be achieved easily and cheaply – and without the need for additional equipment – through the heating system.
Combined heating and ventilation (CHV) solutions have been on the market for many years. The technology has been developed to the point that they now offer optimum energy efficiency while improving air quality.
CHV systems rely on a degree of fresh air intake for their operation. Nordair Niche direct gas-fired CHV units, for example, work on a patented air recirculation system which supplies the amount of fresh air required to meet changing building criteria, while maintaining a constant supply of fresh air into the burner.
The system operates on a large air volume, low discharge temperature principle. A modulating burner and damper system, controlled electronically, ensures full co-ordination of the heating and ventilation functions. Up to 80% recirculated air may be utilised, and between 20% and 100% fresh air. The 80/20 operation ensures excellent performance and low emissions.
In heating mode, the Nordair Niche CHV units provide controlled amounts of fresh air to the building. This slightly pressurises the air inside the building since fresh air is delivered faster than it can escape by natural ventilation. Pressurisation causes the air to distribute evenly throughout the building, eliminating temperature stratification or ‘cold spots’.
Full fresh air ventilation is achieved simply by switching the burners off. Personnel feel the effects of dynamic cooling as the air is distributed around the building.
The air is discharged from low velocity discharge heads, either via louvres or adjustable air induction nozzles. The result is a constant supply of tempered air – whether warm or cool – that easily mixes with room air.
This method of heating and ventilating premises does not require ductwork and ideal for premises requiring summer ventilation and regular air changes to maintain good air quality.
The beauty of CHV systems is that they can ensure every part of the building is usable at all times – there are no cold spots since heat is distributed evenly and without the need for additional destratification fans. When temperatures within the building change, the CHV system can respond very quickly, soon returning the interior to comfort conditions.
CHV is an ideal solution for large space buildings – particularly warehouses and factories, sports centres, arenas, shopping centres and supermarkets, hangars and exhibition halls. And best of all, for the cost of a highly effective, economical and fuel-efficient heater, ventilation comes free.
Northern Office
6 - 14 Bean Leach Road
Hazel Grove
Stockport Cheshire
SK7 4LD
United Kingdom
Tel: 0161 482 7900
Fax: 0161 482 7901
Email: info@nordairniche.co.uk
Southern Office
Unit 4 Chilford Court
Braintree Essex
CM7 2QS
United Kingdom
Tel: 01376 332200
Fax: 01376 332201
Email: info@nordairniche.co.uk