AIR DISTRIBUTION IN THE LABORATORY

The requirements for air distribution systems in the laboratory are particularly high. To avoid exposure to pollutants, large airflows must be exchanged in a short time: According to DIN 1946-7, the standard is an air change rate of 8 times the room volume per hour (this might differ from country to country). Due to the heat loads caused by laboratory equipment, cooling of the rooms is also often required in summer, as well as in winter. At the same time, it is important to avoid drafts and high temperature differences in order to ensure highest comfort for employees. To fully meet all requirements, intelligent air distribution that adapts to the specific conditions of your laboratory is essential.

Several aspects determine a customised air distribution concept:

• The position and nature of the furniture in the laboratory influence the airflows and should definitely be taken into account when planning the air distribution. By individually arranging the air terminal devices in the room, the air distribution can be adapted to the specific conditions of the laboratory.

• The amount of heat to be dissipated from the laboratory, the room cooling load, varies depending on the use and quantity of laboratory equipment used. The pollutant load of the laboratory results in the individually required air change rate, thus the frequency at which the laboratory air must be exchanged per hour.

• For thermal comfort in the laboratory, the temperature difference must be dissipated either by air or water.

• Avoiding drafts is an important criterion for achieving the greatest possible comfort in the laboratory. Technical disturbances due to improper air drafts are therefore prevented.

• Despite the high air change rate in the laboratory, the air intake and extraction should be as quiet as possible.