Winter’s Effect on Industrial Ventilation Requirements
Proper ventilation is just as important in colder weather as it is in higher temperatures to ensure optimal indoor comfort and air quality. As temperatures plummet, doors, windows, and service bays close up to block out the cold and snow. However, this also cuts off the supply of fresh air, leading to a number of problematic consequences. Expertly designed ventilation solutions ensure adequate airflow, helping provide a more comfortable and healthy winter work environment.
Air Quality and Worker Health
Closing industrial and commercial buildings for the winter, without providing adequate ventilation, can lead to a drastic reduction in indoor air quality. Workers are then exposed to higher concentrations of airborne pathogens, such as the cold, flu, and COVID-19 viruses. Proper ventilation will maintain internal airflow, reducing pathogen concentration. When paired with HEPA air filtration, ventilation systems can further protect workers from winter illness. In fact, following the COVID pandemic, OSHA issued a worker safety alert explaining the importance of industrial ventilation systems during winter.
Hazards of Humidity
Winter weather is notorious for creating conditions that allow condensation to accumulate on cooler surfaces, such as floors, windows, shelving, and equipment. As condensation accumulates, it can drip down the walls and ceilings, causing hazardous working environments and damaging insulation, drywall, equipment, materials, and products. Excessive humidity also encourages fungal and bacterial growth, which can result in increased worker illnesses.
Adequate winter ventilation is particularly important in moisture-producing processes. If this moisture is not exhausted from the building, it can build up and cause condensation on the roof and walls. By exhausting moist air with roof exhaust fans and replacing that air with dry, heated outdoor air, you will prevent condensation build-up and moisture damage to the building.
Industrial Ventilation’s Role in Temperature Regulation
Even in colder weather, heat-producing operations, such as glassworks and forges, can create enough heat to elevate internal temperature above safe working limits. Proper industrial ventilation throughout the year is critical in these situations to protect workers from heat-related illnesses. In cold weather climates, industrial ventilation solutions are designed to help reduce energy requirements by optimizing airflow and pulling hot air from higher elevations using Air Turnover Units and makeup air.
Additional heating units can also be added to custom ventilation systems to further improve workplace comfort. In very cold climates or for non-heat-producing industries, for example, ventilation systems will need to heat incoming air to ensure comfortable working temperatures with the help of Direct Gas Fired Makeup Air Units.
Winter Ventilation and Worker Productivity
As the temperature inside drops due to inadequate heating or poorly designed winter ventilation, worker productivity and accuracy also drop. Skilled workers with cold, stiff fingers may not have the dexterity required to perform their tasks quickly or with precision. This same reduced productivity permeates chilly workplaces, slowing workers down and tanking overall productivity. However, with custom ventilation solutions tailored to the cold weather conditions, work processes, and building construction, will keep workers more comfortable and productive.
Customized Industrial Ventilation Solutions to Address Cold Weather Requirements
Due to the complexity of cold weather ventilation for industrial applications, optimal ventilation solutions should be customized to the building, heat-generating processes, and the local climate. Moffitt maintains a team of highly qualified and dedicated ventilation experts who leverage their extensive experience to design optimal ventilation solutions for all climate conditions.
To ensure optimal ventilation design, it’s best to have our experts out to evaluate your system during the winter months to address cold weather requirements and have your new system commissioned in time for next year’s cold snap. Contact us to learn more about winter ventilation and schedule your free site evaluation today.