1/18/2019

Agenda

• Introduction, Infiltration, Containment

Seminar 37: Space Pressurization • Pressurization Methods
for Infection Control and Hospital • Lessons for Design
James Coogan, PE Accreditation • Summary
Siemens

Jim.Coogan@Siemens.com

Controlling Contaminants
with Space Pressurization

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Learning Objectives Room Pressurization

• Select and specify control strategies for various pressurized

spaces by applying the physics of air infiltration to infection
control objectives A ventilation technology
• Explain the standard requirements for various pressurized that controls migration
spaces from the viewpoint of a facilities engineer
• Specify systems and equipment that support a monitoring of air contaminants
plan for pressurized spaces by inducing drafts
• Train the facilities staff about monitoring of pressurized spaces
and the requirements as specified in the standards between spaces.

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Acknowledgements Room Pressurization

Dino Coliano, Siemens Intelligent Infrastructure

• Exhaust system
helped to coordinate this seminar removes air
• Supply system
Potential source of bias: the speaker is employed by a BAS provider delivers less
• Room pressure
is negative
• Infiltration makes
up the difference
• Inward air flow contains
pollutants

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How is success defined? Velocity and Leakage Area

Success is control • Flow is velocity times area

of contaminants, • 2011 ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Applications,
not flows and puts it together: 53-9
pressure values
𝑄 = 𝑓𝐴 Δ𝑃
• Q = infiltration flow
• f = discharge coefficient and factor for units
• A = leakage area
• ΔP = pressure across envelope

7 10

Infiltration Curve –
Infiltration Model for Pressurization
Pressure Difference vs. Flow

• Air velocity through gaps in 0.05

envelope controls 0.045

contaminants 0.04

0.035
Pressure Difference

0.03

• Velocity related to 0.025

pressure by orifice flow
0.02

• What velocity do we need? 0.015

0.01

0.005

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Infiltrating Air Flow

8 11

Reality of Room Air Motion Infiltration Curves for

Several Values of Leakage Area

0.05

0.045

0.04

0.035
Pressure Difference

0.03

0.025

0.02

0.015

0.01

Photograph of flow field (2D) in cross section of a room 0.005

“Particle Image Velocimetry” 0

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Zhao L., ASHRAE Transactions, DA-07-044 Infiltrating Air Flow

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Pressurization and Migration Differential Flow Control

• Positive room pressure

drives air and
contaminants out
• Negative room pressure
draws air and
contaminants in
• Neutral room pressure
exchanges air and
contaminants both
directions

13 16

Control Methods Compared Pressure Feedback

Three widely published methods (1,2)

• Space pressure feedback
• Differential flow control
• Cascade control

1. 2015 ASHRAE Handbook, HVAC Applications.

Chapter 16 Laboratory Systems
2. Siemens Building Technologies: Doc #125-2412.
Room Pressurization Control

14 17

Control Methods Compared Selecting a Control Method

Some other ways Factors affecting selection(1)

• Adaptive leakage model(1) • Tightness of envelope
• Trim valve(2) • Number of pressure levels needed
• Speed of disturbances and response
• Duct conditions for flow measurement

1. W Sun, ASHRAE Transactions, NA-04-7-2. Quantitative Multistage

Pressurizations in Controlled and Critical Environments 1. 2015 ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Applications,
2. L. Gartner and C. Kiley, Anthology of Biosafety 2005. Chapter 16 - Laboratory Systems, page 16.12
Animal Room Design Issues in High Containment

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Tightness of Envelope

x
0.05

0.045

0.04

0.035
Pressure Difference

0.03 o
0.025

0.02
x
0.015
o
0.01 x
0.005
x
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

Infiltrating Air Flow

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Lessons for Design

• Solid wall is the most important component

to control contaminants
• Leakage in envelope is the primary
mechanical parameter
• Most applicable control strategy depends
on leakage area
• Operators need monitors. Design them in.

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Questions?

Jim Coogan
Jim.Coogan@Siemens.com

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