Planning a new industrial laundry is almost like doing a large crossword puzzle. All the pieces have to fit in the space you have allowed and you can’t leave any pieces out. Because there are so many things to keep track of, one area that is often overlooked is air flow.
All working people need good, comfortable air quality and ventilation. Heat and humidity are always difficult for your work force to deal with when the weather is warm, so taking steps to improving the air quality and temperature in your working environment is an important part of taking care of the workers who keep your laundry running.
Depending on your geographic location and climate, there are certain areas on which you should focus when considering the air conditions in your laundry. For instance, the fixed demand of the dryers exhaust is where to start figuring how much air you have to bring into your facility every minute to achieve the desired results. Another is area to consider is where the heat in your laundry is coming from. People, lighting, motors, dryers, fans and ironers are all sources of heat.
In order to disperse the heat there must be air movement. Keep in mind the basic laws of physics when considering how best to implement a solution: wet air is lighter than dry air and hot air is lighter than cool air. A popular method of air quality management is to draw out a room’s hot, wet excess air from up high and bring the cool, dry outside air in low.
Some times in the winter the make up air can be deposited at the individual dryers, which can save on heating the make up air as it comes inside for comfort in the winter time. It is important to remember that all systems should be balanced for efficient operation, and some times a barometric exhaust damper is required.
In addition to conventional methods of air quality management, Green Laundry Systems utilizing Ozone, the water will be the same temperature as it comes from the ground, giving your laundry employees a more comfortable environment to work in, especially during the summer.
Each facility’s needs are different, but these are some general tips which can help any Laundry manage their air flow and quality efficiently and effectively.