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TABLE 12.1 Emergency Ventilation Systems Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Tasks

mechanically operated. Typically, louvers are pulled open when the exhaust fan activates. Exterior obstacles such as bird nests or blocked mesh screens should be inspected and cleared. Screen mesh needs to be ¼-in. Also, louvers must spring to the open position when failing during a power outage as per ANSI/IIAR 2-2021. Fans that operate every day or often need to be lubricated and greased either annually or according to manufacturer’s recommenda tions after certain operational quotas. It is vital that lubricants be compatible with the equipment being lubricated. VENTILATION TRENDS Years ago, machinery room designs often used wall-mounted fans, however, recent codes and trends have pointed toward roof-mounted fans. The idea behind roof-mounted fans is to get contaminants up and out vertically no matter where they stagnate in the room. In contrast, wall mounted fans do not aways completely sweep the room of airborne contaminants. Consequently, ventilation dead spots typically stratify contaminants near the ceiling. Older wall-mounted fan ventilation designs, that are near the end of their lifecycle, should be replaced with roof mounted fans. If in fact, a wall-mounted fan needs replacement, or if it has been determined another rooftop fan is required for better ventilation, its placement is dictated by ANSI/IIAR 2-2021. Rooftop fans must not be less than 20 ft from a property line, building opening or HVAC fresh air intake. Entry doors, roof hatches and overhead doors are just some of the potential building openings. Another ventilation trend is electronically commutated motors (ECM). Their energy efficiency advantages do not really apply to ventilation applications that operate only semi-annually during viability tests. However, ECM fans are available in both belt and direct drive versions. The latter might be beneficial since it would eliminate much of the aforementioned potential belt and bearing maintenance headaches belt drive units exhibit with infrequent operation. ECM fans do cost up to 20% more than traditional motor fans, but the maintenance and labor cost savings should pay back over time. Further more, replacing a traditional fan at the end

ITM Task Description

Frequency

Inspection a) Verify automatic function of temperature control ventilation b) Visually inspect ventilation equipment for damage and degradation c) Observe for indications of excessive vibration in powered supply and exhaust ventilators f) Visually inspect emergency ventilation override switch for damage or degradation g) Visually inspect emergency ventilation control switch for proper installation of signage Testing a) Functionally test audible and visual annunciators b) Functionally test manual override of emergency ventilation c) Expose ammonia detectors) to calibration test gas and verify fiction of ventilation equipment d) Test sail switches, air flow sensors, or other means to verify function of emergency exhaust equipment d) Listen for abnormal sounds e) Visually inspect fan belt tension and condition

WA-A

S

S

S

WA-A

S

S

A

A

A

A

e) Test function of intake louvers

A

f) Verify fan belt tension is adequate by measurement

WA-A

g) Functionally test notification to a monitored location for the loss of power to or failure of the emergency ventilation system

A

Maintenance a) Lubricate exhaust fan components

WA-M

b) Replace fan belts WA-5 Frequencies: D-daily, W-weekly, M-monthly, Q— quarterly, S —semiannually, A — annually, B— ennially, 3-three years, 5-five years, 10-10 years, WA —where applicable, NA —not applicable, NR—not required, others as noted.

activated every few hours to move air for air quality and comfort reasons. Following best emergency fan and general ventilation practices will keep a cold storage facility’s machinery room in compliance with ANSI/IIAR 2-2021. More importantly, it might also save lives or prevent serious injury in the event of ammonia or other contaminant leaks. director of sales at S&P USA Ventilation Systems LLC (S&P USA). S&P USA’s parent company is fan manufacturer Soler & Palau Ventilation Group. He can be reached at jledsinger@solerpalau.com or 904-731-4711. Jim Webster has worked for S&P USA Ventilation Systems LLC (S&P USA) more than 50 years and is currently the ventilation products company’s commercial accounts manager. He can be reached at jwebster@ solerpalau.com or 800-961-7370. Jeff Ledsinger is a 33-year veteran of the HVAC industry and is currently the national

of its lifecycle with an ECM fan can help futureproof the overall machinery room ventilation system. While ECMs do not offer an energy-effi ciency advantage for infrequently used emergency fans, they could offer a quick payback via lower energy costs for general ventilation fans. These fans operate either periodically daily or at a continuous low speed designation to maintain machinery room temperatures under 104°F, as per ANSI/IIAR 2-2021. While older style fans without variable frequency drive (VFD) are either on or off, ECMs also have the capacity to dial down fan speeds with built-in VFD technology, which can also help execute exact room air changes energy efficiently. Machinery room occupancy requires a smaller fan that can continuously provide a minimum 0.5 cfm/sq. ft or 20 cfm/ occupant, according to ANSI/IIAR 2-2021. Some facilities also use a larger fan that is

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