Fresh air is a code requirement
Occupied buildings need outdoor air. The National Building Code, Alberta Edition, and the referenced ventilation standards set minimums based on use and occupancy. Too little fresh air leads to stuffy rooms and complaints. Too much in winter costs a lot to heat.
Heat recovery ventilators and energy recovery ventilators capture heat from outgoing air to warm incoming air. In Alberta's cold climate they can save significant heating energy.
Where exhaust is needed
- Washrooms and change rooms
- Kitchens and food prep areas, with their own hood systems
- Janitor rooms and storage for cleaning products
- Labs, dental and healthcare rooms with specific air change rates
- Workshops and areas with fumes or dust
- Parking garages and loading areas
Design and installation
Exhaust has to go somewhere. Outlets must be located away from fresh air intakes, windows and walkways. Make-up air, the air that replaces what is exhausted, is just as important. A building starved of make-up air can have doors that are hard to open and appliances that work poorly.
Our crew installs fans, ducts, louvres, roof caps and controls. Our own electricians wire them, and building automation links them to schedules and sensors where the design calls for it.
Common challenges
In renovations, adding exhaust to an existing building often means new roof or wall penetrations. We coordinate with the roofing and exterior finishes to keep them watertight. Noise is another concern, so fans are selected and mounted to limit it.
Healthcare, lab and food-service spaces often have particular pressure and airflow requirements. Our engineers work out these details before the crew starts.
Testing and balancing proves the system moves the air it should. If you have a space that smells, feels damp or never seems fresh, a ventilation review can find the cause. Our team can look at what is installed and recommend practical fixes.