Have you ever opened a window and then went to close a door in the same room, and the door slammed shut? The force behind this jarring phenomenon is called negative pressure. Not only does this cause doors to close so abruptly, but it also makes them more difficult and, in some cases, impossible or dangerous to open. Negative pressure in buildings, more specifically industrial buildings, can amplify the severity of this force and affect other HVAC-related issues. Overcoming this pressure force is vital to maintaining a safe industrial environment and is achievable with the proper equipment.
Side Effects of Negative Pressure in Industrial Buildings
Both wind and temperature affect air pressure, so ventilation systems need to be able to overcome these fluctuating forces. The ideal pressure situation for a building would be positively pressurized, inverse to negative pressure. This creates an environment where the air quality is more ideal and negates issues such as:
Difficulty Opening and Closing Doors
Doors in industrial buildings tend to be very heavy and connected to electronic controls, which can be damaged if closed improperly. Since negative pressure forces doors to shut and makes them more challenging to open, this can weaken the door’s controls, shorten its lifespan, and cause it to become completely inoperable.
High Humidity
Negative pressure in a building creates a stagnant and moist environment, which is uncomfortable for people to work in and is also conducive to mold growth, rust accumulation, and more significant debris buildup. This creates an unhealthy and uncomfortable environment that can lead to even more significant issues down the line, such as machine failure.
High Energy Costs
Correcting negative building pressure can save companies money on HVAC energy costs. A properly pressurized room is less stressful on HVAC systems, as the pressure gradient to overcome negative pressure and properly filter a room is less demanding, consuming less energy.
More Mess
Negative air pressure in buildings can force outside debris and dirt inside when doors are open and shut, creating a dirty working environment that is not only unsanitary but also dangerous since debris can create safety hazards. Properly pressurized buildings don’t have this problem and can save time and money by cutting cleaning costs and labor.
Insect Infiltration
Negative pressure at personnel entry and loading dock doors can invite unwanted visitors into your facility, like small or large insects that are easily pulled in by the pressure differential and are a huge sanitary issue for manufacturers of food or food-grade packaging.
Hot and Cold Spots
Two previously mentioned side effects—high humidity and high energy costs—are both exacerbated by negative pressure due to the creation of hot and cold spots caused by this phenomenon. This is not only inefficient for HVAC purposes but could cause damage to machinery or products located in these hot or cold spots, potentially causing a lot of expensive energy loss.
Improving Negative Pressure Ventilation in Buildings
Examples of fine, airborne media commonly found in industrial settings are dust, moisture, or a combination of both. The finer and more frequent these particles are, the more likely they are to diminish ventilation and create negative pressure.
Advanced Equipment Sales offers effective solutions for controlling negative pressure conditions in buildings. These systems can be either incorporated into existing HVAC infrastructure or function as standalone pieces of equipment installed to suit their environment appropriately.
Negative Air Pressure Solutions from AES
Fresh Air intake System
Traditional scrap conveyance system designers don’t consider the cost impact of replacing, filtering, or returning make-up air to the facility.
To effectively eliminate negative pressure due to scrap conveyance system exhaust, utilize an AES Fresh Air Intake System to use outside air to convey the scrap. The AES Fresh Air Intake System eliminates the need for any make-up air via the HVAC system or return air via a dust collector system by avoiding the loss of conditioned air in the first place.
The result is a balanced atmosphere that creates a more comfortable and safe working environment while also cutting costs from heating and cooling unconditioned air. These economic machines can remove the need for a dust collector entirely and are effective combatants against negative pressure in manufacturing facilities.
Choose AES
Negative pressure can cause a laundry list of compounding issues for buildings that aren’t properly ventilated. At AES, we’re dedicated to finding the perfect solution for your ventilation needs to ensure you don’t have to worry about this issue interrupting your operations.
Contact us today to find your perfect ventilation solution, and let’s see how we can Convey with Confidence™ together.