Industrial Ventilation

Industrial Ventilation Systems are a specialized subset of the typical Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Unlike building HVAC systems, comfort is not the primary consideration with Industrial Ventilation systems. Instead they are primarily concerned with controlling pollutants within industrial spaces. Of course the environmental conditions within an industrial facility are important. However, in the absence of extreme conditions, i.e. extreme heat or humidity or extreme cold, the exposure to a hazardous substance is more important than comfort. An analogy to this is found in a survival situation: We can live three days without water but several weeks without food. As a result finding water is more important than finding food when faced with the choice.

Perhaps the best reference to have when working with Industrial Ventilation systems is the book "Industrial Ventilation A Manual of Recommended Practice" published by the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH). This handbook provides a wealth of information and is the first reference to consult when faced with a questions about industrial ventilation systems.