Ventilation and Makeup Air Systems

Industrial ventilation generally involves the use of supply and exhaust ventilation to control emissions, exposures, and chemical hazards in the workplace. Traditionally, nonindustrial ventilation systems commonly known as heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems were built to control temperature, humidity, and odors.

Makeup air is simply defined as outside air used to replace exhausted air. Most commercial and industrial buildings must exhaust air either to meet commercial ventilation codes or due to industrial processes. Makeup air will provide a significant improvement to industrial processes and environmental conditions with strong economic payback.  Makeup air systems with special controls are widely used in paint booths, as it is critically important to maintain the proper flow of air over the product being painted.

When more air is exhausted from a building than is supplied by the mechanical systems, the building is under a "negative" condition and air will leak into the building through cracks, windows and doors. A negative condition results in the following:  flues and stacks will experience a backdraft and cause dangerous contaminants to remain in the occupied space. In the case of flues, the products of combustion may condense and corrode the equipment. The exhaust system sees a greater static pressure, which reduces the capacity of each fan, resulting in an inadequate removal of contaminants and wasted horsepower.  Drafts and cross currents will increase, causing an uncomfortable or unhealthy work environment.

Lincoln Associates can provide design and application assistance to help you with solutions to your ventilation and makeup air problems.

Ventilation and Makeup Air Systems Manufacturers at Lincoln Associates: