Methods to Maintain and Sustain High- Performance Laboratory Ventilation Systems

Thomas Smith, Exposure Control Technologies, Inc.
Jason Slursarczyk, RWDI

Ventilation systems and fume hood exhausts in laboratories are meant to provide safe and comfortable environments for building occupants, minimizing exposure and controlling the spread of potentially hazardous contaminants. Satisfying these objectives can be expensive with laboratory ventilation systems often accounting for more than 60 percent of the utility budget. Through proper design and commissioning, high-performance laboratory buildings can provide safe laboratories and minimize energy expenditure. However, a high-performance building requires proper design of the ventilation systems, careful selection of controls, tight operating tolerances, and an effective maintenance and management program. Studies indicate that failure to properly manage the systems in a high-performance building can cause degradations in performance by more than 30 percent in under 3 years following commissioning.

This presentation will describe a methodology to assess and optimize the performance of laboratory ventilation systems through testing, benchmarking, training of maintenance staff, and remote monitoring. Practical guidance for the exhaust and air intake design will also be provided. The technologies described in this presentation will provide healthier work environments and minimize energy use in high-performance laboratory buildings.

The approach focuses on two important aspects: safety and energy efficiency. This presentation shows that by operating laboratory buildings within tightly controlled tolerances and optimizing the performance of ventilation systems energy savings can be derived. In addition, implementation of a laboratory ventilation management program can help maintain high performance of the systems. This presentation directly reflects the following aspects of the Labs21 approach:

• Energy efficient design/reduced operating costs. By using proven technologies to optimize performance of ventilation systems and reduce energy costs
• Minimize environmental impacts. Implementation of an exhaust and air intake design that provides appropriate levels of dispersion will prevent degradation of air quality and environmental impacts.
• Adopt voluntary goals. Optimization of the ventilation and exhaust design relies on due diligence and voluntary compliance of building designers and owners.
• Community support and relations. A high-performance building will facilitate understanding of the project by the community and enhance public support.

Biographies:

Thomas C. Smith is the president of Exposure Control Technologies, Inc. Mr. Smith is a leader in laboratory safety and energy management. He specializes in helping laboratories provide safe, dependable, and energy-efficient operation of laboratory hoods and ventilation systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina.

Mr. Smith is active in developing national and international standards for laboratory ventilation and serves as Chairman of ASHRAE TC9.10 Laboratory Systems and Vice Chairman of ANSI/ASHRAE 110 Fume Hood Testing. He is also a member of ANSI/AIHA Z9 Standards for Ventilation and Health.

Since 1985, Mr. Smith has participated in hundreds of laboratory ventilation projects and evaluated thousands of laboratory hood systems. His work has improved the safety of laboratory environments and saved millions of dollars in energy costs. He currently provides technical consultation to numerous Fortune 100 companies, top research universities, and government agencies on the forefront of environmental safety and energy conservation. He is also a registered Labs21 Instructor.

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