Natural Ventilation Systems

Table Of Contents

Natural air ventilation is using an unpowered means to evacuate hot, stale air and fumes from a space. Utilizing the natural convection properties offered by process heat and providing a natural path of least resistance. By allowing rising hot air to escape you create a natural ventilation solution.

Additionally, a system of natural replacement air should be provided by adding openings low in the building that aids in the evacuation process by adding cooler intake air down low as the warmer hot air is expelled above.

To operate, the roof or ceiling has an opening through a weatherproof ventilator. Fresh air flows at the floor level. The floor level intake air can come in through existing openings or can be facilitated through a series of louvers and dampers.

These natural air ventilation systems create a cooler and more comfortable building with no operating costs, energy consumption and very little maintenance.

Natural Ventilation Requirements

Many factors play a role in determining the operational requirements for a natural ventilation system. The main factors considered are:

Building requirements vary. Factors that will diminish the effectiveness of natural ventilation systems are:

Equipment for Natural Ventilation

Proper ventilation equipment is necessary in order to implement a natural ventilation system. Several factors including, but not limited to, structure type, application and size. These factors play an important role in the equipment required.

Listed below are a list of the more common natural ventilation equipment.

Natural Ventilation Vent

Vents exhaust a substantial amount of warm air. This is done without allowing rain or other precipitation inside the structure. Available in various sizes, custom made natural ventilation vents are able to meet building specifications while adhering to local city and state codes.

Ventilation vents can withstand wind up to 130 MPH. Wind direction and speed do not impact the effectiveness of the vent.

Low profile vents minimize the effect of wind while reducing weight. They are made of aluminum and steel. They are also waterproof.

Natural ventilation vents can further reduce the need for electricity by introducing natural light into a structure. Warm air is exhausted by opening the flaps. When they are closed they allow light to enter while still protecting inside from weather elements.

These multi-functioning vents are designed with industrial and commercial applications in mind.

Natural Daylighting Vents

Natural day lighting vents are suitable for industrial and commercial applications. They provide light through large translucent window panels. These daylight vents provide daylight to lower electricity expenses further. They can be opened via a motorized or manual rack and pinion system.

Turbine Ventilators

Turbine vents are essentially exhaust fans that rotate in the lightest of breezes. Regardless if there is wind, turbine ventilators continuously expel warm air. This is due to warm air rising through natural convection, drawing warm air up and out of the turbine. This self-perpetuating cycle is what makes turbine vents valuable for natural ventilation systems.

They are made of light-gauge, but durable marine-grade aluminum materials that are made to last and will not rust or seize.

Louvres

Louvres come in a range of weather protection choices, blade profiles and design styles that suit the project. They can be factory built or on-site assembled. Either way, they still have the flexibility of custom designs to match complex building architecture.

Custom Louver Features:

Dampers

Dampers regulate clean airflow and airstreams with particles. For industrial natural ventilation systems that require dampers. There are a wide variety of various dampers for smoke and fire control.

Heat Recovery Units

Designed for saving energy and also improving indoor air quality. Recovery ventilators offer convenience for many applications across various commercial and industrial industries.

The aluminum plate type heat exchangers recover heat from air to air. The heat is effectively moved from warm air to cold air by the heat exchangers with efficiency and high conductivity.

Diffusers

Specifically designed diffusers for natural ventilation systems. The aluminum plate type heat exchangers recover heat from air to air. The heat is effectively moved from warm air to cold air by the heat exchangers with efficiency and high conductivity.

Gravity Roof Vent

Gravity roof vents are also known as roof-mounted gravity relief vent or relief air opening. These rectangular hoods come with a backdraft damper and a bird screen. Silencers for the gravity roof vent are optional.

Industries Using Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation systems are used across a variety of commercial and industrial applications. These systems are a natural way of improving air quality within buildings.

Below are just some of the industries that benefit from using natural ventilation systems:

Welding

The fumes and contaminants from welding, brazing, soldering, and torch cutting are toxic and require proper ventilation. According to OSHA regulations, when welding or cutting mild steels, natural ventilation is considered sufficient to avoid exposure when following their guidelines (OSHA Guidelines).

Data Centers

Temperatures do not have to be frigid to reap the benefits of natural ventilation in data centers. That’s why over half of data centers are now choosing natural ventilation to cool their servers (source).

Power Industries

Industries that involve generating power or in some form containing equipment that accommodate power generators could benefit from natural ventilation systems. Some of the common energy generating areas that would benefit from passive ventilation are:

Commercial Buildings

Office buildings and other commercial office spaces accounts for 76% of electricity consumed in the US (source). The concern with commercial buildings is that it’s necessary to keep occupants comfortable when outside temperatures are not suitable for indoors. That is where a natural hybrid ventilation system comes into play.

Hybrid Ventilation

airport natural ventialtion mixed hybrid

Hybrid ventilation is used by some of the largest companies in the world such as Apple and Google. Hybrid ventilation, or mix method, combines mechanical ventilation and passive ventilation to ensure indoor temperatures are kept comfortably stable.

Naturally ventilated when there’s wind and a lower temperature outdoors. Conversely, the building is air conditioned and uses mechanical ventilation the remainder of the time.Sensors are strategically placed throughout the commercial building to monitor:

humidity
air flow
temperature
other important factors

An automated computer ensures the system runs efficiently by analyzing the aforementioned factors, and determines which system should be running.

Greenhouses

Greenhouse operators prefer natural ventilation to keep energy costs down while evenly keeping crops cool. This results in a more consistent crop yield.

Sport Facilities

As the demand for sport facilities increases (source), attention is drawn to creating an energy efficient structure while maintaining a healthy environment. That’s why natural ventilation in sport facilities is an ideal choice. Sport facilities also includes:

Garages & Parking Lots

Several factors must be considered if garages and parking lots are able to benefit from natural ventilation systems. Most importantly if the parking garage is enclosed. Since there are hazardous gases being emitted parking lots they must follow local ordinances.

Mills

Industrial buildings, such as mills, benefit from natural ventilation systems. The high ceilings allow for heat to escape easily. Allowing the hazardous materials to ventilate easily through strategically placed vents.

Fresh air flows freely inside to push odors, dust, and fumes up and out of the mill. This is all done without any additional noise.
Common industrial mills that benefit from natural ventilation:

Agricultural

Natural ventilation in the agricultural industry proves beneficial for not only energy purposes but also animal safety. Power failures can cause catastrophic failures to animal stock. With natural ventilation this possibility is removed.

Other agricultural industries that benefit from passive ventilation:

Benefits of Natural Ventilation

Environmental

Manufacturers and companies are seeking a path to reduce the consumption of energy, which has a positive impact on the environment and reduces carbon emissions.

By implementing natural ventilation systems into a structure, an immediate reduction of the amount of energy used can be measured. Natural ventilation reduces a structures overall carbon footprint.

Economic

The most obvious benefit for natural ventilation systems is the economic benefit. Naturally, companies consider their bottom line. Implementing a natural ventilation solution is a one time fee with minor upkeep.

Studies show that commercial buildings consume the highest amount of energy. The majority of energy is used for heating, cooling and ventilating the occupied spaces.

Office equipment, lighting, cooking, and refrigeration all emit heat. The energy consumption required to cool, ventilating a commercial building can be reduced by incorporating a natural ventilation system in the building design.

Subsidies

Many energy companies subsidize green solutions such as natural ventilators. Utility companies in the U.S. have programs that encourage energy saving infrastructure improvements. This is completed by assisting with purchases or offering rebates. Not only can the energy savings be seen year after year, but little to no money is paid up front for the equipment.

Energy Savings

Depending on the size of the structure, a commercial or natural ventilation system could save enough electricity to power 2,000,000 fluorescent bulbs for a year. That’s enough to power 10,000 offices. Some of the benefits of our natural ventilation systems include: