Understand how to calculate the recommended air changes per
hour based on your application.
When specifying a fan or ventilation system, one of the most important considerations is the number of air changes per hour (also known as air change rate) needed to sufficiently ventilate the room. It is equally crucial to take into account the volume of outside air (fresh supply air) that the room requires. This can be calculated based on the number of people typically living or working in the space. These requirements can depend on a number of factors but the nature of the room’s usage is a key place to start.
Air changes per hour (ACPH) is a measurement of air volume that is added to (or removed from) a room divided by the total volume of the room. Put simply, it measures how many times the air in the room is replaced. Higher ACPH values mean better ventilation. The formula is as follows:
ACPH = Q / Vol
Whereby:
To find the volume of outside air needed to properly ventilate a space, you’ll need to have an estimate of the typical number of people occupying it and know what the space will be used for. Then, simply use the table below to multiply the number of people by the required metres cubed per hour per person to determine the required fresh air flow.
The table below outlines reference values of air volume split by room usage according to DIN 1946 part 2. This is a standard set by the German Institute for Standardisation and is accepted worldwide.
| Room | Minimum Outside Air Stream per Person (m³/h) | Recommended Number of Air Changes per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | 30 | 4 (private) 10 (public) |
| Showers | 60 | 6 (private) 10 (public) |
| Offices | 40-60 | 6 |
| Restaurants | 50 | 12 |
| Canteens | 30 | 12 |
| Classrooms | 30 | 5 |
| Conference Facilities | 30 | 8 |
| Multi-purpose Halls | 30 | 5 |
| Gyms | 30 | 5 |
| Waiting Rooms | 30 | 6 |
| Hotel Rooms | - | 4 |
| Public Garages | - | 5 |
| Commercial Kitchens | - | 25 |
| Private Kitchens | - | 20 |
| Launderettes | - | 18 |
| Swimming Pools (private) | - | 6-7 |
| Workshops | - | 10 |
To specify a fan for your application and air change rate requirements, please contact our team of sales engineers who will be able to advise the best solution.
