The following article was published in ASHRAE Journal, Oct. 1998.
Copyright 1998 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers, Inc. It is presented for educational purposes only. This article may not be copied and/or distributed electronically or in paper form without permis-
sion of ASHRAE.
A S H RA E
Ventilation Where Its Needed
By Dennis A. Stanke
Member ASHRAE
ariable air volume (VAV) systems provide many
V zones of control at a relatively low cost and save
fan horsepower. Additionally, they indirectly control
building humidity at all load conditions. These advan-
tages make them a popular system choice, but achieving proper
ventilation with VAV systems can be confusing.
Consider the simplest and most common system: the single-
duct VAV, illustrated in Figure 1. The air handler delivers pri-
mary air, a mixture of recirculated air and outdoor air, to the VAV
boxes through a single duct. Each VAV box then regulates the
flow of primary air and sends supply air into the space to main-
tain the desired sensible temperature. Leaving each space, re-
turn air is diverted at the air handler to become either exhaust air
or recirculated air.
Providing proper ventilation for this multiple-space VAV sys-
tem presents a three-part challenge:
Design for peak ventilation capacity.
Operate with required ventilation at all loads.
Control to minimize the ventilation energy impact.
Challenge 1: Design for Peak Ventilation Capacity
To size the coil and chiller, the required outdoor airflow at
design (peak load conditions) must be found. Many designers
merely use the sum of the space ventilation requirements to
find outdoor airflow. That would be correct if ventilation air
were delivered directly to each spacesystems with separate
distribution paths for ventilation air can be designedbut most
VAV systems use one duct to deliver a mixture of first-pass
outdoor air and recirculated return air to meet both thermal and
ventilation requirements. All spaces receive the same primary
air mixture even though space ventilation needs differ.
When one space, the critical space, receives the precise
mixture needed for adequate ventilation, all other spaces are
overventilated. Air returning from the critical spacefully satu-
rated with contaminants from the spaceis no longer suitable
for diluting those contaminants; its dilution capacity is com-
pletely used. On the other hand, air returning from
overventilated spacesnot fully saturated with space contami-
nantsis still suitable for diluting those contaminants; it still
has unused dilution capacity.
Consequently, air returning from all spaces always retains
some dilution capacity. Recirculated return air adds its dilution
capacity to the primary air while exhausted return air discards
its dilution capacity. Exhausted air lowers system dilution ca-
pacity and lowers the efficiency of the ventilation system.
To ensure proper ventilation, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62-
1989, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality 1 man-
dates the use of a multiple-space equation (Equation 6-1)
derived for recirculation credit and exhaust penaltywhen cal-
October 1998
JOURNAL
culating the minimum total outdoor airflow required for correct
ventilation of a multiple space system.
Space Ventilation
The simplistic system illustrated in Figure 1 includes three
spaces and a recirculating air handler. To find minimum total
outdoor airflow for the system, first determine the space-re-
lated parameters:
Space Ventilation Required (Rp or Ra). Using the Ventila-
tion Rate Procedure and Table 2 in Standard 62-1989, find the
ventilation airflow required Rp (cfm/person) or Ra (cfm/ft2) for
each space.
Design Ventilation Rate (DVR). Space ventilation rate (Vo)
for each occupied space can be established (Vo = P Rp or Vo
= A Ra). Design ventilation rate is determined either by space
population at design occupancy (P = Pd) or simply by space
area (DVR = Pd Rp or DVR = A Ra).
Air Change Effectiveness (Eac). How well does supply air
mix with air in the occupied zone within the space? Properly
selected diffusers typically result in complete mixing (e.g. Eac =
1.0) of cool supply air. Overhead delivery of warm supply air
typically results in stratification and bypass (e.g. Eac = 0.8).
Minimum Primary Airflow (Vm). In a single-duct VAV sys-
tem, primary airflow to the box and supply airflow to the space
are equal. Primary airflow to each space modulates between
minimum (Vp = Vs = Vm) and design (Vp = Vs = Vd) airflow in
response to thermal load. This example uses an arbitrary mini-
mum primary setting of 20% of design airflow (Vm = 0.20 Vd
cfm) for each space.
Worst-case Space Ventilation Fraction (zm). The occupied
zone in each space requires a fraction (z = Vo Eac Vs) of
ventilation air in its supply air (Vs).
At worst-case, the highest possible space ventilation frac-
tion (zm) occurs with supply airflow at its minimum setting (Vs =
Vm) and design space ventilation rate is required (Vo = DVR).
This worst-case ventilation fraction must be calculated for each
space (zm = DVR Eac Vm). The minimum primary airflow
(Vm) should be set for each space in accordance with overall
design objectives. High minimums slightly increase tempering
(reheat) needs and significantly reduce the total outdoor airflow
requirement. Low minimums slightly reduce tempering needs and
significantly increase the total outdoor airflow requirement.
About the Author
Dennis A. Stanke is an applications engineer for the Worldwide
Applied Systems Group of The Trane Company, La Crosse, Wis.
He serves on ASHRAE Standing Standard Project Committee 62.1
and is a member or corresponding member of ASHRAE Technical
Committee 1.4, Control Theory and Applications, TC 9.7, Testing
and Balancing, TC 5.2, Duct Design, and the IAQ 98 Steering
Committee.
ASHRAE Journal 39
System Ventilation
Using the space-related information outlined earlier, calcu- The Multiple-Space Equation
late the system-level parameters, including ventilation system
efficiency and worst-case or highest minimum total outdoor Standard 62-1989 requires that designers of multiple-space
airflow, (Figure 2). systems solve Equation 6-1 to determine the required ratio
Critical Ventilation Fraction (Z). The space with the high- of first-pass outdoor airflow to primary (supply) airflow,
est ventilation fraction (z = Vo Eac Vs) becomes the ventila- i.e. Y = X (1 + X Z). With that ratio, required total
tion-critical space for the system and defines the critical venti- outdoor airflow (Vot) can be calculated: Vot = Y Vpt.
lation fraction (Z = largest z). Labeling space ventilation rate Equation 6-1 can also be expressed in the following
(Vo = Voc) and space supply airflow (Vs = Vsc) for the critical form (dubbed MSE). The divisor represents ventilation
space, and assuming Eac = 1.0, this definition of Z reduces to system efficiency.
the Standard 62-1989 definition (Z = Voc Vsc). At design, (Vo = MSE: Vot = Von (1 + X Z) = Von Ev
Voc = DVR and Vs = Vsc = Vm), the critical space ventilation The equations and variables necessary to solve MSE
fraction becomes Z = DVR Eac Vm. are listed below. Some variable names and definitions used
Total Ventilation Airflow (Von). At any condition, Von = here differ a bit from those in Standard 62-1989 allowing
Vo. At design conditions (P = Pd) total ventilation airflow, application to a broader range of ventilation systems.
corrected for population diversity, can be found (Von = PF General Equations
DVR). Conservative designers assume population diversity Ev = 1+XZ
factor PF = 1.0 (as in Figure 2). More aggressive designers Vo = P Rp (orVo = A Ra)
estimate population diversity at design (see sidebar). Von = Vo
Standard 62-1989 tacitly assumes PF = 1.0, but allows a popu- Vot = Von Ev
lation adjustment for individual intermittent-occupancy spaces, Vpt = Vp
Vs = Vp (for single-duct VAV)
based on an estimated average occupancy (P = Pd = Pa) and an
X = Von Vpt
adjusted design ventilation rate (DVR = Pa Rp) for those z = Vo Eac Vs
spaces. Z = largest z
Total Primary Airflow (Vpt). At any condition, Vpt = Vp.
Total primary airflow at design is the sum of space primary airflow Design Equations
values at design conditions (Vpt = DF Vd) adjusted for load DVR = Pd Rp (or, DVR = A Ra)
Von = PF DVR
diversity (see sidebar). Figure 2 uses an unusually low load Vpt = DF Vd
diversity factor (DF = 0.67) to simplify illustrated calculations. zm = DVR Eac Vm
Standard 62-89 defines total supply airflow (Vst) rather than Z = largest zm
total primary airflow (Vpt). However, while identical in single- PF = Pb SPd
duct VAV systems, supply airflow may be greater than primary DF = Qb Qd
airflow in fan-powered or dual-duct VAV systems. Defining to- Equation Variables
tal primary airflow for design calculations leads to more general A = space area (ft2)
results. DF = load diversity factor
Average Ventilation Fraction (X). Average ventilation frac- DVR = space design ventilation rate (cfm)
tion is simply total ventilation airflow divided by primary air- Eac = space air change effectiveness
flow at design (X = Von Vpt). ASHRAE 62-89 defines uncor- Ev = ventilation system efficiency
rected ventilation fraction (X = Von Vst), which is identical to P = space population (persons)
Pb = system block population (persons)
average ventilation fraction for single-duct VAV systems, since Pd = space design population (persons)
Vpt = Vst. PF = population diversity factor
Ventilation System Efficiency (Ev). For single-duct VAV sys- Qb = system block load (Btu/h)
tems, Ev can be defined in terms of average and critical ventila- Qd = space design load (Btu/h)
tion fractions, i.e. Ev = 1 + X Z. When the critical space venti- Ra = ventilation required for building (cfm/ft2)
lation fraction (Z) is significantly greater than the system aver- Rp = ventilation required for people (cfm/p)
Vd = space primary airflow at design conditions (cfm)
age ventilation fraction (X), the return acquires significant dilu-
Vm = space minimum supply airflow (cfm)
tion capacity from overventilated spaces. Much of this capac- Vo = space ventilation rate (cfm)
ity is lost in the exhaust air resulting in low ventilation system Von = total ventilation airflow (cfm)
efficiency. Vot = total outdoor airflow (cfm)
Total Outdoor Airflow (Vot). Finally, use the multiple-space Vp = space primary airflow (cfm)
equation (MSE) (see sidebar) to calculate the required worst- Vpt = total primary airflow (cfm)
case total outdoor airflow while properly accounting for venti- Vs = space supply airflow (cfm)
X = average ventilation fraction
lation system efficiency: Vot = Von Ev. Use worst-case total z = space ventilation fraction
outdoor airflow, Vot, to determine design cooling capacity. zm = worst-case space ventilation fraction
Other VAV Systems. The equation for ventilation system Z = critical space ventilation fraction
efficiency used in the simplistic illustration presented in Figure
40 ASHRAE Journal October 1998
 VENTILATION

1 can be applied to any multiple-space system, but it does not VAV Rooftop Unit
account for the local recirculation that occurs in fan-powered or Air Handler
Outdoor
VAV systems or in dual-fan, dual-duct VAV systems. Conse-
Air
quently, it results in conservatively low ventilation system effi-
ciency for VAV systems that provide more than one ventilation Exhaust Recirculated Primary
path to each space. Generalized equations for ventilation sys- Air Air Air
tem effectiveness, applicable to a wider range of multiple-space
Return
systems, have been derived but are not discussed here.2, 3
Air
In addition, real buildings often include a mixture of ventila-
tion systems. Total ventilation airflow (Vot) must be found sepa- VAV
rately for each system in a building. Boxes
Supply
Challenge 2: Air
Space 1 Space 2 Space 3
Operate with Required Ventilation at All Loads Vd =5000 cfm Vd =5000 cfm Vd =5000 cfm
The design procedure described earlier identifies worst-case Rp =20 cvm/P Rp =20 cvm/P Rp =20 cvm/P
total outdoor airflow, but what happens to ventilation require- Pd =25 people Pd =30 people Pd =47 people
ments during normal operation? Table 1, Column A illustrates a DVR =500 cfm DVR =600 cfm DVR =700 cfm
VAV system at full load and at two part-load conditions. Eac =1.0 Eac =1.0 Eac =1.0
Vm =1000 cfm Vm =1000 cfm Vm =1000 cfm
zm =0.50 zm =0.60 zm =0.70
Full Load
For illustration, assume that the critical space requires mini- Figure 1: Simple three-space, single-duct VAV system.
mum primary airflow for its thermal load, while the other spaces
require much more primary airflow and the system fan delivers
design primary airflow. This full-load condition corresponds to met with a fixed-position outdoor air damper? No. A fixed out-
the worst-case design scenario described above. Ventilation door air damper position results in relatively constant outdoor
system efficiency (Ev = 1 + 0.180 0.700 = 0.480) determines airflow percentage, but a variable outdoor airflow volume.
total outdoor airflow (Vot = 1,800 0.480 = 3,750 cfm [1770 L/s]). Table 1, Column B, illustrates the results of a common de-
sign mistake: fixing the OA damper position to deliver average
70% Load ventilation fraction (X = 0.18 or 18% outdoor air) at all operating
On a cool summer morning with a 70% cooling load, space conditions. It results in underventilation at full load (1,800 cfm
primary airflow values change, but assuming no change in space [850 L/s] versus 3,750 cfm [1770 L/s]) and at part load (1,260 cfm
population, space ventilation airflow values remain constant at [595 L/s] versus 2,380 cfm [1123 L/s] and 630 cfm [297 L/s]
design (Vo = DVR). The critical ventilation fraction (Z = 0.500) versus 2,210 cfm [1043 L/s]).
and the average ventilation fraction (X = 1800 7000 = 0.257) Some designers fix the OA damper position to deliver critical
change as shown. The ventilation system efficiency increases ventilation fraction (Z = 0.70 or 70% outdoor air) at all loads.
at this load condition (Ev = 1 + 0.257 0.500 = 0.757). Less This results in overventilation (7,000 cfm [3300 L/s] vs 3,750
overventilation occurs in non-critical spaces so less unused cfm [1770 L/s]) both at design and at part load.
dilution capacity exhausts. The system requires less total out-
door airflow (Vot = 1,800 0.757 = 2,380 cfm [1123 L/s]) even Fixed Outdoor Airflow
though required space ventilation airflow (Vo = DVR) remains It takes the right volume, not percentage, of outdoor air to
unchanged. meet the ventilation requirement in Standard 62-1989. Using
direct or indirect sensing, total outdoor airflow volume must be
35% Load maintained at or above the worst-case minimum total outdoor
On an autumn day with a 35% cooling load, primary airflow airflow (Vot) at all load conditions by adjusting the outdoor air
values change again. As was true for the 70% load condition, damper position as primary airflow changes. Table 1, Column
the current ventilation system efficiency dictates the total out- C, shows the effect of maintaining outdoor airflow at the design
door airflow requirement. At this condition, critical space venti- value (3,750 cfm [1770 L/s]), which is overventilation at all part-
lation fraction (Z = 0.700) and current average ventilation frac- load conditions.
tion (X = 0.514) result in increased ventilation system efficiency
(Ev = 1 + 0.514 0.700 = 0.814) with decreased total outdoor Challenge 3:
airflow (Vot = 1,800 0.814 = 2,210 cfm [1043 L/s]). Control to Minimize Ventilation Energy Impact
The design procedure discussed earlier yields a worst-case
Fixed Outdoor Air Damper Position total outdoor airflow. However, ventilation system efficiency in-
Traditional VAV systems set minimum outdoor airflow us- creases during normal operation since less unused dilution ca-
ing an outdoor air (OA) damper at a fixed minimum position; pacity exhausts at part load. Can the ventilation system be con-
actual outdoor air intake volume, of course, varies as total pri- trolled to assure proper ventilation without costly overventila-
mary airflow varies. Can the ventilation volume requirement be tion? Yes, using a ventilation reset scheme as explained later.
October 1998 ASHRAE Journal 41
 Space 1
P rimary Airflow at Design (cfm), Vd = 5 ,0 0 0
Design Ventilation Rate (cfm), DVR = 500
Ventilation Fraction (zm) = 0 .5 0
Critical Ventilation Fraction (Z)
Vpt = DF Vd = 0.67 Vd = 10,000 cfm Using the MSE
Von = PF DVR = 1.0 DVR = 1,800 cfm Ev = 1+ X Z = 1+ 0.18 0.70 = 0.48
X = Von Vpt = 1,800 10,000 = 0.18 Vot = Von (1+X Z) = Von Ev
Z = largest zm = 0.70 = 1,800 0.48 = 3,750 cfm
Figure 2: Determining total outdoor airflow with the MSE.
ASHRAE Requirements
Standard 62-1989 states that when mechanical ventila-
tion is used, provision for airflow measurement should be in-
cluded, and that for VAV systems, provision shall be Although not specifically included in Standard 62-1989,
made to maintain acceptable indoor air quality throughout
the occupied zone. And, with regard to multiple-space system
ventilation, it states: Where more than one space is served by
a common supply system the system outdoor air quantity
shall then be determined using Equation 6-1.
In other words, proper ventilation for multiple-space VAV
systems must be determined using the MSE, outdoor airflow
measurement and control. It follows that a control scheme that
senses both space primary airflow and total outdoor airflow
and solves the MSE dynamically to reset the total outdoor
airflow setpoint (Vot) will satisfy Standard 62s ventilation re-
quirements. The term ventilation reset is used to describe this
control scheme.
Basic Ventilation Reset
Assuming space population and ventilation requirements
remain constant (Vo = DVR), decreased primary airflow leads to
higher ventilation system efficiency at part load and a decreased
need for first-pass outdoor airflow. A basic ventilation reset
control scheme senses actual primary airflow (Vp) and calcu-
lates the current ventilation fraction (z) for each space, finds
the current total outdoor airflow setpoint (i.e. finds Z, Von and
Vpt, then solves MSE to find Vot) for the system, and finally
modulates total outdoor airflow to maintain the new setpoint.
More sophisticated control schemes that account for changes
in population and recalculate ventilation requirements (Vo = P
Rp) can also be used. For instance, systems with predictable
space population can use a simple time-of-day schedule to es-
timate population, recalculate Vo and reset total outdoor air-
flow (Vot) as described above.
Alternatively, actual space population may be determined,
either directly by people-counting or indirectly by sensing a
tracer gas (e.g. differential CO2). Actual population can then be
used to recalculate Vo and reset Vot, again, by solving MSE
dynamically.
Implementation. Basic ventilation reset is easily implemented
42 ASHRAE Journal
Space 2 Space 3 Sy stem
5 ,0 0 0 5 ,0 0 0 Vd = 15,000
600 700 DVR = 1,800
0 .6 0 0 .7 0
Z = 0 .7 0
Population and Load Diversity
some designers account for population diversity when
designing ventilation systems. At any given time, the ac-
tual population may be design value (P = Pd) in one space
and less than design value in all other spaces. Since all
spaces are not at design population simultaneously, it fol-
lows that the design ventilation requirements for the sys-
tem could be based on the highest population in any given
time block rather than sum-of-peak population (Pd).
To account for system population diversity some de-
signers estimate actual space population for each hour,
then find a population diversity factorthe ratio of the
highest population in any hourly block to the sum-of-
peak population (PF = Pb Pd) and use it to reduce
total ventilation airflow accordingly (Von = PF DVR).
Conservatively assuming that actual population always
equals design population (P = Pd and PF = 1.0) results
in overventilation at all loads. On the other hand, aggres-
sively estimating block population (Pb << Pd and PF
<< 1.0) can result in significant underventilation at all
loads.
Most VAV system designers account for load diver-
sity when finding the primary airflow. At any given time,
actual cooling load may equal design value (Q = Qd) in
some spaces and less than design value in other spaces.
It follows that total primary airflow for the VAV system at
design conditions can be based on the highest space
cooling load in a given time block rather than sum-of-
peak space cooling loads.
To account for system load diversity, hour-by-hour
space load can be used to find the highest system cool-
ing load (Qb) during any hourly time block. Then, load
diversity factor can be found as the ratio of the highest
load in any time block to the sum-of-peak load at design
conditions (DF = Qb Qd) and used to reduce total
ventilation airflow accordingly (Vpt = DF Vd).
October 1998
 Outdoor Air, Vot, Delivered

Outdoor Air, Vot,

S y s t em Fixed Damper Fixed Flow
Characteristic Space 1 Space 2 Space 3 Required Per ASHRAE
L oad at "X" at Max
62-1989

A B C
P rimary Airflow, Vp 5,000 cfm 4,000 cfm 1,000 cfm
37% or 18% or 37% or
100% Ventilation Rate, DVR 500 cfm 600 cfm 700 cfm
3,750 cfm 1,800 cfm 3,750 cfm
Avg. Ventilation Fraction, z 0 .1 0 0 .1 5 0 .7 0

P rimary Airflow, Vp 1,000 cfm 3,000 cfm 3,000 cfm

Ventilation Rate, DVR 500 cfm 600 cfm 700 cfm

34% or 18% or 54% or
70%
2,380 cfm 1,260 cfm 3,750 cfm
Ventilation Fraction, z 0 .5 0 0 0 .2 0 0 0 .2 3 3

Avg. Ventilation Fraction, X 0 .2 5 7

P rimary Airflow, Vp 1,000 cfm 1,500 cfm 1,000 cfm

Ventilation Rate, DVR 500 cfm 600 cfm 700 cfm

63% or 18% or 100% or
35%
2,210 cfm 630 cfm 3,500 cfm
Ventilation Fraction, z 0 .5 0 0 0 .4 0 0 0 .7 0 0

Avg. Ventilation Fraction, X 0 .5 1 4

Table 1: Part load operation.

using the data-rich environment afforded by communicating
controls throughout the VAV system. Specifically, use pres-
sure-independent VAV terminal units with direct digital con-
trols (DDC/VAV), a building automation system (BAS) with
simple equation-solving capability, an air handler with DDC
controls and a means for measuring and maintaining outdoor
airflow. Figure 3 illustrates this implementation.
In operation, individual DDC/VAV controllers sense primary
airflow (Vp) in the spaces they serve and calculate current
space ventilation fraction (z = Vo Eac Vp) using values
entered or calculated for Vo and Eac. The BAS continuously
polls each DDC/ VAV controller, collecting current primary air-
flow Vp, required space ventilation airflow Vo and current ven-
tilation fraction z from each. It then calculates total primary
airflow (Vpt = Vp), total design ventilation airflow (Von =
Vo), and average ventilation fraction (X = Von Vpt), deter-
mines critical space ventilation fraction (Z = largest z), and uses
these values to find ventilation system efficiency (Ev = 1 + X
Z) and a new outdoor airflow setpoint (Vot = Von Ev). The air
handler DDC controller receives the new setpoint and modu-
lates outdoor airflow as required to maintain it.
Whats It Worth? Basic ventilation reset control reduces
the outdoor airflow at part load and saves operating costs. Can
it be justified? That depends on building type and location.
The outdoor air load in an office building in Miami, for instance,
may be reduced by 8% while the same building in Toronto or
Minneapolis may realize a 30% reduction. An economic analy-
sis program can be used to quantify the savings associated
with ventilation reset.
Other Challenges?
As shown earlier, VAV ventilation systems can be designed
44 ASHRAE Journal
with sufficient capacity, operated to ventilate properly, and
controlled to avoid significant operating cost increases. Are
there any other concerns related to VAV system ventilation?
Absolutely.
Freeze Protection and Mixing
Proper VAV system ventilation leads to a high percentage of
outdoor air at part load. During cold weather, mixed air tempera-
ture can approach outdoor air. The mixed airstream can stratify
and water in coils can freeze.
Water in coils can be protected from freezing in many ways.
For example, drain the coils, keep the water in motion, add gly-
col to the water, use face-and-bypass dampers to limit cold
airflow or preheat the outdoor air.
Streams of air at very different temperatures are difficult to mix.
Air blending devices offer effective mixing but usually require
more space (longer air handlers) and more fan horsepower. As an
alternative, preheating the outdoor air before the mixing box de-
creases the airstream temperature differential, allowing good mix-
ing without blending and offering freeze protection as well.
Airflow Sensing
Outdoor airflow must be determined or sensed for proper
VAV system ventilation. Many indirect airflow-sensing schemes
(e.g. fan tracking, differential temperature sensing4) are unable
to meet the 10% accuracy criterion typical for air balancing
measurements. Although direct-sensing methods using inde-
pendent airflow-monitoring stations can be designed to meet
accuracy needs, they tend to be costly (requiring field installa-
tion and field calibration) and difficult to apply (straight duct-
length requirements). Injection fan schemes with airflow sens-
ing and fan speed control can be used successfully although
October 1998
 VENTILATION

they, too, may be costly.

Fixed orifice differential-pressure
(plenum-pressure) schemes can be
used when the mixing box geometry
allows accurate and stable static pres-
sure sensing. Factory-installed direct-
sensing methods, specifically de-
signed for the outdoor airstream usu-
ally offer the best solution in terms of
both installed cost and flow-sensing
accuracy.
For the past several years, factory-
installed and factory-calibrated airflow
sensors that use differential pressure
measurements to accurately sense out-
door airflow, even at very low velocities,
have been available. These sensors,
based on proven VAV box flow-sensing Figure 3: Air-handling system with ventilation reset.
technology, typically require very little
straight duct, add little to fan static pres-
sure requirements, and sense accurately over a wide range of Summary
temperatures. Innovative pressure signal processing allows very Single-duct VAV systems must be designed using the mul-
accurate flow measurement (within 10% of actual flow) over the tiple-space equation to meet Standard 62-1989 ventilation re-
full range of outdoor intake airflow, from 100% (when econo- quirements.
mizing) to as little as 5% of full flow.
As primary airflow varies during normal operation, total
Building Pressure outdoor air intake volume must be maintained as appropriate
Maintaining a slightly positive pressure inside buildings for the occupancy load. The percentage of outdoor air in the
especially in humid climates increases comfort and helps to primary airstream must changeno more fixed dampers!
avoid IAQ problems related to microbial growth and outdoor
contaminant sources. Preserving constant outdoor air volume Well thought out control schemes that allow outdoor air-
helps assure uniform building pressure, regardless of primary flow reset can minimize the operating-cost impact of proper
airflow. However, resetting the outdoor air volume downward ventilation at part load.
at part load (as described earlier) may lead to negative building
pressure. Building pressure control, usually best implemented References
using modulating relief airflow in VAV systems, becomes vital 1. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62-1989, Ventilation for Acceptable In-
when ventilation reset schemes are used to reset outdoor air- door Air Quality. p. 11.
flow volume.
2. Warden, D. 1995. Outdoor aircalculation and delivery. ASHRAE
Subcooling at Part Load Journal (37)5:5463.
Since a VAV system provides low dew point primary air when
cooling, space relative humidity is adequately maintained. How- 3. Ke, Y.P., and S.A. Mumma. 1996. A generalized multiple-spaces
ever, in a lightly loaded space, the VAV box closes to minimum equation to accommodate any mix of close-off and fan-powered VAV
airflow when space-cooling load is lower than VAV-box cool- boxes. ASHRAE Transactions 102 (1): 183192.
ing capacity. The space subcools and relative humidity rises.
To avoid subcooling, primary air must be tempered to match 4. Kettler, J.P. 1998. Controlling minimum ventilation volume in
cooling capacity with cooling load. In other words, tempering VAV systems. ASHRAE Journal. (40)5:4550.
(terminal reheat) must be available, usually throughout the
year, not just during cold weather.
Some designers reset supply air temperature upward at part
load in an effort to avoid subcooling. In many climates, supply
air temperature reset schemes should include return air humid-
ity or dew point limits. Remember, when supply air dry bulb
temperature rises, supply air dew point also rises. Without
limiting the temperature reset based on return air moisture con-
tent, reduced system latent capacity may lead to unacceptable
space relative humidity.
October 1998 ASHRAE Journal 47