What is ventilation?

• Simply described as the circulation of air.

For the extraction of stale, overheated or contaminated air and the supply and distribution of fresh air in the amounts required to provide healthy, safe and comfortable conditions for the occupants of a room

Why do we need it?

• To improve the conditions within an enclosed space.
• To create an environment which stimulates occupants to a higher efficiency.
• To protect products from deteriorating.
• To protect buildings from deteriorating.

When considering a store room, the purpose of the ventilation would be to reduce the deterioration of the product. Consumables have a certain shelf life; all we can do is to ensure that the recommended storage guidelines for the product are met. If the store room has mixed consumables then work to the most perishable first. Ventilation on its own may not be sufficient to meet the requirements and other processes such as dehumidifying/humidifying or air conditioning may need to be considered. A store room may have chemicals in storage that require ventilation. Battery rooms require ventilation to prevent build up of gases such as hydrogen and to keep the temperature correct to prolong the life of the batteries.

Similarly deterioration can occur to the fabric of a building if there is not adequate ventilation e.g. moisture concentration as a result of a shower, or moisture entering the building through the roof or walls etc. Again, dehumidification may be a better consideration than ventilation, dependant on the scale of the problem.