Basic Ventilation

Bureau of Workers Compensation

PA Training for Health & Safety
(PATHS)

PPT-040-01

Course Goals
To understand the basic concept
of ventilation
To understand reasons for
ventilation
To understand and apply proper
ventilation techniques

PPT-040-01

Student Objective
Be able to define what ventilation is
Be able to apply ventilation to different applications
Be able to determine best method of ventilation
Be able to move air

PPT-040-01

Ventilation
The process of "changing or
replacing air in any space to
provide high quality indoor air
To:
Remove unpleasant smells and
moisture
Introduce outside air
Improve circulation, etc.
In firefighting, refers to a tactic
of creating a draft to control the
release of heat and smoke
PPT-040-01

Reasons for Ventilation

To remove or control:

Hazardous/obnoxious odors
Smoke and smoke odor
Odors
Asbestos
Chemicals
Gases
Fumes
Particulates
Note: There are specific requirements
for certain contaminants that require
specialized training and equipment

PPT-040-01

Burned Popcorn-Ugh!

Types of Ventilation
Vertical
Moving air up and out

Horizontal (lateral)
Moving air out through
windows and doors

PPT-040-01

Methods of Ventilation

Mechanical/Forced
Fans
Cooling
Dilution
Exhaust
Circulation
Filtration
Scrubbers
Exhaust Systems
Chemical
PPT-040-01

How Air Moves

Natural
+ No cost
- Difficulty controlling
- Increased time to utilize

Mechanical/Forced
+ Easy to control direction
- Need power source
- Fumes
- Cost
PPT-040-01

Ventilation Safety
Never use gasoline powered fans inside a
building, structure or confined space
Make sure fans are grounded
If a flammable atmosphere exists make sure
fans are intrinsically safe (i.e. explosion proof)
Ensure area safe to set up equipment
Trip hazards block off area, wires, fans

PPT-040-01

Ventilation Steps
Determine:
What the problem is
Smoke, odor, chemical, etc.

Where it is located
What type of structure, building layout, occupancy

What is the cause or source

Origin of problem that needs ventilated

Is it safe for me
Main concern: can you do it safely without
endangering yourself or others?

PPT-040-01

10

Ventilation Steps
If unknown or dangerous:
Seek further assistance from Environmental
Health & Safety (EHS)
Emergency services (either public or private
contractors may be considered an option)
911
If material can be identified and handled in
a safe manner proceed to the next step
Follow company policy
PPT-040-01

11

Ventilation Steps
If you can start ventilation:
Determine where you are going to direct the
flow of air
Avoid contaminating clean areas
Avoid directing into high occupancy area
Will it be a nuisance or hazard to anyone
down wind?
If odors or other conditions are too strong,
contact EHS for PPT-040-01
further evaluation

12

Vapors
Check the corresponding Safety Data Sheet
(SDS) for the product being ventilated
Review Vapor Density listed on SDS
Vapor Density = measure of a vapors weight
when compared to air (air assigned value of 1)
Denser vapors tend to sink to floor level, less
dense vapors tend to rise to ceiling level
PPT-040-01

13

Directing Air Flow

Opening & closing doors

Opening & closing windows

Hanging plastic tarps in uncontaminated areas

PPT-040-01

14

Directing Flow
A draft is better created with the flow coming
in one direction and funneling out the opposite
end
Closing additional doors or windows will
increase the flow of air out of room/area
Additionally, remove any screens or curtains
that may be in the way
Make sure the wind is not naturally coming in
the way you intend to exhaust the odor
PPT-040-01

15

Directing Flow

Close off open hallways or unaffected areas

Utilize plastic tarps or plastic sheets

Shower curtains with open hooks also work
Tension rods
Duct tape
To meet standards, some items will require
top to be more sealed up to prevent
additional contamination

PPT-040-01

16

Lets Ventilate

How
could you
ventilate
this area?

Windows
Stairs

Use Natural,
Mechanical,
Combination
of both

Doors

Stairs

PPT-040-01
PPT-040-01

Stairs

17
17

Example of Stricter Requirements

Asbestos
Asbestos training required
Do not disturb or enter
Required items:
o Signage
o Negative air machines
o Air lock
o Restricted entry
o PPE (respiratory)

PPT-040-01

18

Evaluate the Area

Evaluate before allowing occupants (e.g. students,
staff, etc.) to return
Senses may not be the best testing factor; may
depend upon what is being ventilated
Use meters if necessary
Utilize someone not on site previously
(some items may desensitize your ability
to smell them)

PPT-040-01

19

Summary
Ventilation is not difficult, but does take some
thinking as to where to move contaminated air
Never move contaminated air into noncontaminated areas
If necessary, move occupants out of an area
before ventilating
Determine the best method for effective
ventilation
If material involved is hazardous, or you are
not sure: stop and consult EHS for instructions
PPT-040-01

20

Questions

PPT-040-01

21