Comprehensive Guide to Understanding an Air Exhaust System

Air movement is critical to keeping indoor spaces safe and comfortable. For tougher environments like warehouses and factories, the importance of air exhaust systems can not be understated. These environments can generate harmful contaminants during normal operation. 

Maintaining safe levels of air quality require that these contaminants be swiftly exhausted before they become too concentrated and dangerous to the occupants.

What is an Air Exhaust System?

Air exhaust systems are designed to capture and efficiently move air from within a building to the exterior. These exhaust systems come in many different varieties depending on the application. Air exhaust systems are critical in maintaining air quality by removing stale air and replacing it with fresh air. 

While it may seem simple, air exhaust systems must efficiently and safely capture contaminants and move them away from occupants. These systems must also balance air intake and exhaust for a healthier atmosphere. An imbalance between the amount of air being exhausted and fresh air being brought in can create a host of other unwanted issues.

How Does an Air Exhaust System Work?

Air exhaust systems come in many different varieties but all accomplish the same three steps:

• Air collection
• Air transport
• Exhaust and ventilation

Accomplishing these steps requires a combination of fans, ductwork, dampers, and filters. The air collection step can look very different depending on the application. Some facilities have very clear source pollutants such as paint booths or cutting applications that generate great deals of dust and contaminants. For these scenarios, air collection often involves high velocity air collection very close to the source. This prevents the contaminants from affecting other areas of the building. For applications with more general air exhaust needs, like a warehouse, air exhaust systems focus more on flowing air in the same direction to collect it.

Once exhaust air has been collected, it must be safely transported so it can be exhausted properly. For applications with high levels of contaminants, the air may need to be filtered or run through components to drop out some of the particulates before exhausting. Other applications may have very little air transport needs, especially if air is just passing through a louver in a building’s exterior.

With exhaust air collected and transported, the final step is to exhaust it. Louvers play an important role in allowing exhaust air to pass through a building’s envelope while keeping unwanted particulates and critters out. Exhaust locations must be placed carefully to ensure the air is not picked up by fresh air intakes and does not deposit the exhaust air in an improper location.

Benefits of Using an Air Exhaust System

Air exhaust systems can improve air quality, regulate temperature, control moisture, and boost energy efficiency. Contaminants in the air can have respiratory and allergy risks which are reduced with the use of a well designed air exhaust system. These systems help prevent concentrations of contaminants and pollutants from reaching dangerous levels.

In addition to improving air quality, temperature and moisture are affected by air exhaust systems. Many processes generate heat during operation. Whether from stoves in a kitchen or welding machines in a work shop, air exhaust systems can help move this hot air away from occupants and out of the building. Moisture can be an issue as well. Air exhaust systems prevent condensation by exhausting high humidity air and replacing it with lower humidity air, reducing the risk of slips and falls, mold, and mildew.

Air exhaust systems can even boost energy efficiency. Proper air movement through a building can reduce the need for mechanical cooling. A well balanced fresh air intake and exhaust air system will also focus on exhausting just the right amount of air, saving energy by preventing overconditioning.

Types of Air Exhaust Systems

Because air exhaust systems can be used in so many different environments, they come in many different forms as well. The simplest of air exhaust systems focus on exhausting air from a building with a fan. These systems are seen in everything from residential kitchens and bathrooms to warehouses. They provide moisture and odor mitigation along with contaminant control but can be less energy efficient.

Air exhaust systems tailored for specific applications can have intricate systems of ductwork, dampers, and filters to ensure air is exhausted quickly and safely. Workshops that generate a great deal of dust during their operation may use these systems to capture contaminants at the source. These contaminants often run through specialized components to drop out particulates and filter the air before exhausting it outside the building.

Some applications like restaurants involve massive amounts of air exhaust to maintain air quality, reduce odor, and keep temperatures comfortable. Makeup Air Units (MAUs) are designed specifically to bring in enough fresh outdoor air to balance the air being exhausted by these systems. Air balance and pressurization can be very important in these scenarios to ensure that dining rooms and kitchens stay comfortable during peak operation.

One of the most energy efficient types of air exhaust systems is an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV). These systems exhaust stale air while reducing energy by preconditioning incoming fresh air. Exhaust air from offices or schools may be at appropriate temperature and humidity levels but have odors or other contaminants. An ERV allows for temperature and humidity to move from one air stream to the other while exhausting the stale air and bringing in fresh air, saving money and improving indoor air quality.

Why Do You Need an Air Exhaust System?

Well designed air exhaust systems improve air quality, regulate temperature, control moisture, and save energy. These systems are critical for many different operations and help keep occupants happy, healthy, and productive. A proper air exhaust system requires using the right components and the right system design. Partnering with leaders in air movement like Metal Form Manufacturing is key to developing a system that performs as designed. 

To learn more about designing an optimal air exhaust system, reach out to the air movement experts at Metal Form today.