Health and safety considerations have elevated the importance of warehouse ventilation in modern times. Protecting one's health and that of one's employees is now more of an obligation than a luxury. It's crucial to offer warehouse workers a safe and secure setting, as they often put in 8–12-hour stints. Doing so improves workplace safety and health while also increasing output. When you do that, you can take care of safety and health issues while improving productivity.
Improving ventilation may require some initial investment, but it's worth it for its benefits. In this blog, we'll share five practical and helpful tips to improve the ventilation in your warehouse.
Warehouse ventilation: Why does it matter?
Proper warehouse ventilation is crucial to the well-being of those working there. Problems like Sweating Slab Syndrome and Sick Building Syndrome might arise when suitable environmental conditions are not maintained. What are these conditions? These are appropriate levels of humidity, temperature, and ventilation. When these are ignored, it can have disastrous effects on your workforce's health.
There's another reason why warehouse ventilation matters. Warehouse spaces can get pretty warm and humid. It's because the airflow might need to be stronger than it is. Would spending the day in such a space be enjoyable? Definitely not. That is why inadequate ventilation can make employees uneasy in addition to health concerns. When they are uncomfortable, their productivity will suffer. Hence, health-wise and business-wise, warehouse ventilation matters.
How do we fix warehouse ventilation?
We made a 5-step process to help you fix your warehouse ventilation issues. By following these tips, you can increase your warehouse's energy efficiency.
Assess and regularly maintain your HVAC system
The efficiency and effectiveness of your HVAC system depend on regular maintenance. Regular HVAC service can help solve ventilation problems. Hence, as a first step, ensure your heating and cooling systems are in working order.
Moreover, make sure that your HVAC system is the appropriate size for your building. If your unit is too small, it might work harder than needed. This exertion will take a toll on your HVAC system, shortening its lifespan. Too large units are not exempted from these issues. Having a bigger unit than needed will cause short cycles. Because of this, you will have problems ventilating your space.
Maintain appropriate humidity levels
For the sake of ventilation and comfort, you must keep the humidity level in your building at an appropriate level. Humidity levels should be held between 40 and 60 percent. If it goes outside this sweet spot, it could affect the well-being of your staff. Headaches, exhaustion, and inability to focus are just some of the adverse effects of improper ventilation. To avoid these issues, installing HVLS ceiling fans is the key. These massive warehouse fans are great for lowering the humidity in the workplace, making it safer and more comfortable.
Install ventilation fans
Maintaining high indoor air quality standards is essential for the well-being of your workforce in the warehouse. It's actually a requirement set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Did you know that incorporating exhaust fans into your ventilation system can improve indoor air quality? HVAC systems increase their efficiency when paired with exhaust fans, especially ducted ones. In addition, these fans have the added benefit of keeping the air in the office dry and clean by effectively removing dust and other airborne particles.
Increase air circulation by cross ventilation
One simple and effective way to enhance air circulation is through cross-ventilation. Cross ventilation is the technique of allowing air to flow through a room by vents on opposite walls. It takes advantage of natural airflow to create a refreshing breeze. Hence, a great way to improve cross ventilation in a warehouse is by simply opening doors and windows whenever feasible. It's an awesome way of improving ventilation since it allows fresh air to come in and gets rid of stuffy, hot air! When warehouse fans are installed overhead, they team up with cross ventilation to enhance air circulation and create a more pleasant environment.
Incorporate high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans
Have you ever thought about installing HVLS fans in your warehouse or facility? They can be a great addition to improving air circulation and creating a more comfortable environment. HVLS stands for High Volume, Low Speed. These fans are super cool because they have these huge airfoil blades that make a ton of airflow. Aside from generating airflow, HVLS ceiling fans also eliminate stagnant and potentially unhealthy air in the room.
The larger fan rotates at a significantly slower rate. It has more volume but less speed. This is significant because if you choose a blade size too large for your room, the fan may underperform compared to its counterpart.
Install Your Fans Closer to the Ceiling
When the goal is to circulate air throughout the facility, the fan's proximity to the Ceiling is also critical. It is referred to as a "ceiling hugger" if installed without a drop rod. The issue with this is that air cannot enter the fan blades from the top of your Ceiling. Dropping the fan instead allows air to enter and pass through it. As a result, there is more air movement.
Additionally, these fans work with your HVAC system to help cool your warehouse. They can also assist with keeping you warm during the colder months!
You also won't need to worry about additional bills. Using HVLS ceiling fans can help you save a lot of energy! In fact, you could reduce your cooling and heating costs by up to 30%. Hence, installing these warehouse fans is a cost-effective solution that greatly improves ventilation and comfort. Plus, it's a win for energy efficiency, too!
Case studies
The Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA International) recently released a report for 2021. They conducted a year-long study focusing on running large-diameter ceiling fans in warehouse spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the research, using HVLS fans in warehouses helps reduce the number of airborne particles and, in turn, the risk of the virus spreading.
Moreover, the study showed that opening doors and windows could help increase cross-ventilation. The same goes for running HVLS fans in a downward direction. You can combine these two methods to get the most ventilation.
What should you do now?
Don't waste more time worrying about ventilation issues; take care of it immediately. Your employees' comfort, health, and productivity may all take a hit if the workplace lacks proper ventilation. Check for signs of fatigue, recurrent illness (evident in high absences), and a lack of motivation among your staff. Creating a pleasant, healthy, and productive workplace for your employees should be a top priority. If poor air circulation is to blame, then adjustments must be made.
Follow the link below to connect with an AmeriWind customer service representative. We're here to help you find the perfect fan for your warehouse! Let's work together to provide thebest working conditions for you and your team.
Using an Ameriwind fan in the winter is a great way to save energy and money while providing a more comfortable environment for your employees. Contact us today at 610-987-0488 to learn more about how we can help you create a custom big fan solution for your space.
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