Air flow measurement
A useful addition to HVAC systems is air flow measurement. Well-functioning ventilation is essential for people to work efficiently, and not just in offices. On the one hand, it brings in fresh air. On the other hand, it removes polluted air, which contains, for example, excess moisture. The path back and forth must be measured to determine the appropriate volume flow rate. The technician takes several types of measurements, in which the air velocity and the aforementioned resulting volumetric flow rate play the biggest role.
To whom:
- Company of any size
- Property owners
- Facility Management
- Property management
Why measure air flow?
You may not have known that heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, called HVAC, are commonly oversized. They often use more air than is actually needed. The cost of the energy required to run the equipment adds to the overall operating costs.
Without measurements, you won't know if the systems are set up correctly. High air change can cause draughts and unnecessary energy waste. Conversely, low air change leads to more fatigue for people in a room with excess carbon dioxide who lack fresh air to breathe. From a health point of view, low flow creates suitable conditions for bacteria to proliferate.
Measuring air flow saves your company costs twice. First by saving energy and second by building a healthy working environment.
Main benefits
Saving electricity
Healthy work environment and higher worker performance
It is necessary to measure correctly
The only correct measurement is the network measurement. The air velocity is not the same along the length of the duct. Therefore, measurements need to be applied at several points. This is regulated by specific standards (EN 12599, EN 16211, ASHRAE 111). The measurement locations are distributed across the cross-section of the duct, taking into account the size and shape of the duct. The entire area is divided into sections that are measured at a central point. The measured values are then averaged.
To measure the airflow correctly, the technician draws up a project plan. In drawing it up, he will take into account the location of the measurement points in the main duct and the supply ducts to the rooms. Distances from breaks and other factors will also play a role. There is therefore no universal number of suitable measuring points. A measurement plan needs to be drawn up individually for each project. The number of measurement points will depend mainly on the irregularities of the flow profile.
What's next? Certification!
Building sustainability certifications also work with indoor environmental quality BREEAM a LEED.
Do you want to have the air flow measured and recommendations made? Contact us
