12 Air Inlet Operation

How we operate a house during cold weather depends to a
large extent on house tightness

 As a result the first step we need to do is conduct a static pressure test:
Basic air inlet management
Michael Czarick  With all inlets closed turn on approximately 1 cfm per square foot of exhaust
The University of Georgia
fan capacity…measure the resulting pressure
Houses can be divided into roughly four tightness classes

based on static pressure test results (1 cfm/ft2): Another option is to use the house tightness spreadsheet
Poultry House Leakage Estimator - 2016
The University of Georgia - Department of Poultry Science
Michael Czarick (mczarick@uga.edu)
Enter Green Values (do not leave blank)
This spreadsheet is intended to illustrate how poultry house tightness can be estimated
though the use of a static pressure test. The spreadsheet will also illustrate how poultry
house tightness will determine the amount of fresh air brought in by minimum
ventilation fans(s) that will enter through a houses inlets relative to that entering
through cracks (unplanned openings). The spreadsheet will not provide precise values,
but rather estimates
 very poor = 0.05” or lower Poultry House Leakage Test:

 marginal = 0.06” – 0.13” House length (ft) 500
House width (ft) 40
 good = 0.14” – 0.22” Total fan capacity used in leakage test (cfm @ 0.10") 20000
Static pressure measured (") 0.13
 outstanding = 0.23” or higher Relative leakage area (ft2 per 1,000 ft2 of house floor space) 0.65
Total house leakage area (ft2) 13.0
Once we determine which class a house falls into we can

House tightness ratings set up the house for minimum ventilation
 very poor More than 1.2 ft2 /1,000 ft2 (0.05” or lower)
 marginal Between 1.2 and 0.6 ft2 /1,000 ft2 (0.06” – 0.13”)
 good Between 0.6 and 0.4 ft2 /1,000 ft2 (0.14” – 0.22”)
 outstanding Less than 0.4 ft2 /1,000 ft2 (0.23” or higher)
1
If we use the spreadsheet we can see specifically what the
Let’s start with a “very poor ” house (0.05” or lower) challenge will be…
Poultry House Leakage Test:

House length (ft) 500
House width (ft) 40
Total fan capacity used in leakage test (cfm @ 0.10") 20000
Relative leakage area (ft2 per 1,000 ft2 of house floor space) 1.32
 40’ X 500’ curtain-sided house

 ½ house brooding
 50 air inlets (6” X 48”)
 20,000 cfm pressure test fan = 0.04”
Input the desired minimum ventilation fan capacity…not

minimum vent rate Generally, with younger birds it is best to use…
Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:

Minimum ventilation fan capacity (cfm) 20000
Number of air inlets to be used 50
Maximum air inlet height/opening (inches) 6.0
Air inlet length (inches) 48.0
Total side wall air inlet area (ft2) 100.0
Total required opening area for specified fan(s) @ 0.10" (ft2) 26.7  1 cfm per square foot of floor space of timer fan capacity or less.
 40’ X 500’ house = 20,000 ft2
Total required inlet area @ 0.10" (ft2) 0.2
 20,000 ft2 = 20,000 cfm
Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 1%  This amount of fan capacity will be operated off an interval timer based on air
Approximate required air inlet opening size/height (inches) 0.01 quality
Even if you are using partial house brooding… Input the number of inlets to be used…25

 you still should use 1 cfm/ft2 of total house floor area unless, the half house
curtain is perfectly air tight…which it never is Total required opening area for specified fan(s) @ 0.10" (ft2) 26.7
 If the partial house curtain is not perfectly air tight you have to plan for a
significant portion of the air entering through leakage on the nonbrooding
end. Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 1%
Approximate required air inlet opening size/height (inches) 0.02
2
All/nearly all the inlets on nonbrooding end should be
closed For instance:
 If there are no bird in an area of a house we really don’t need to ventilate it  A 40’ X 500’ house has 25,000 birds
much if at all  Minimum ventilation rate of 1,900 cfm (75 cfm/1,000 chicks)
 Most importantly leaving inlets open on the nonbrooding end reduces the  Two 36” fans (18,000 cfm) are used for minimum ventilation
amount of fresh air the fans are bringing into the brooding end of the house  One on brooding end, one on nonbrooding end
 On time = minimum ventilation rate / timer fan capacity X 300

 = 1,900 / 18,000 X 300 seconds
 = 30 seconds on / 270 seconds off
Inlets opened/closed on nonbrooding end Next input the size of the inlets…

Brooding end 950 cfm 950 cfm Nonbrooding end Number of air inlets to be used 25
Total required opening area for specified fan(s) @ 0.10" (ft2) 26.7
Brooding end Nonbrooding end
1,700 cfm 200 cfm
Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 1%

How much air will enter through the inlets?

Spreadsheet does some calculations… How much will the air inlets open?
Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements: Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:
Minimum ventilation fan capacity (cfm) 20000 Minimum ventilation fan capacity (cfm) 20000
Number of air inlets to be used 25 Number of air inlets to be used 25
Maximum air inlet height/opening (inches) 6.0 Maximum air inlet height/opening (inches) 6.0
Air inlet length (inches) 48.0 Air inlet length (inches) 48.0
Total side wall air inlet area (ft2) 50.0 Total side wall air inlet area (ft2) 50.0
Total required opening area for specified fan(s) @ 0.10" (ft2) 26.7 Total required opening area for specified fan(s) @ 0.10" (ft2) 26.7
Total house leakage area (ft2) 26.5 Total house leakage area (ft2) 26.5
Total required inlet area @ 0.10" (ft2) 0.2 Total required inlet area @ 0.10" (ft2) 0.2
Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 1% Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 1%
Approximate required air inlet opening size/height (inches) 0.02 Approximate required air inlet opening size/height (inches) 0.02
3
These houses are basically too loose to effectively use
“Very poor ” houses (0.05” or lower) side wall inlets for minimum ventilation
 When the timer fans operate they are bringing in air…
the problem is that it is all entering through the cracks
We could increase the number of minimum

ventilation fans operating… “Very poor ” house (0.05” or lower)

 For example…increase minimum ventilation fan capacity to 1.5 cfm/ft2… Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 34%
But did we solve the problem?
Did we solve the problem? Furthermore…

 Before we had essentially 20,000 cfm entering through the cracks...nothing  Using more than 1 cfm/ft2 for minimum ventilation will cause increased
through the inlets variations in air temperature/quality
 Now we have approximately 20,000 cfm entering through the cracks and  The larger the volume of air you bring in, even if it is for a short time, the
10,000 cfm entering through the inlets. more likely house temperature will drop.
98.9°F  For instance, the typical 40’ X 500’ house has a brooding end volume of
89.9
approximately 95,000 cubic feet.
95
 1 cfm/ft2 = 20% new air one minute
90
 1.5 cfm/ft2 = 30% new air in one minute
85
 2 cfm/ft2 = 40% new air in one minute
80
77.4
75
73.2°F
4
Example of too much fan capacity coming on at one time
If it is 30oF outside and 80oF inside (fans start operating)
 1 cfm/ft2 (30 seconds/300) will cause a 5.3oF decrease in house temperature 100.0°F
100
 1.5 cfm/ft2 (30 seconds/300) will lead to a 7.9oF decrease in house
temperature 95
90
85
80
 As a general rule we want to use a few timer fans as possible so as to not
shock the house with a lot of cold air (1 cfm/ft2 or less).
75.0°F
Example of too much fan capacity coming on at one time Example of too much fan capacity coming on at one time
(+15 seconds) (+30 seconds)
100.0°F 100.0°F
100 100
95 95
90 90
85 85
80 80
75.0°F 75.0°F
During cold weather a grower with a very loose house is

typically better off just using cracks for “inlets” “Very poor ” houses (0.05” or lower)
 You do this by just operating just enough exhaust fans to establish a static
pressure of 0.05” (1 cfm/ft2 or less)
 Then since the air entering through cracks doesn’t produce optimal air
mixing/conditioning, we need to have a very good circulation fan system.
 It is important to keep in mind that since the house is not very tight, even
with circulation fans, the house will have a significantly higher heating costs
than a properly tight house.
 But, crack ventilation can perform reasonably well if the producer is willing to
spend enough on fuel.
5
“Very poor ” houses (0.05” or lower) Moderately tight (0.06” – 0.13”)
 Side wall inlets should be used during second/third stage ventilation  Marginal houses…
(temperature control).  0.06” – crack ventilate
 0.13” – inlet ventilate

 Producers must continue to work on house tightness if they want to gain  ½ house brooding
more control over bird performance and operating costs.  50 air inlets (6” X 48”)
House tightness spreadsheet “Moderately tight ” (0.13”)
Poultry House Leakage Test: Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:

House length (ft) 500 Minimum ventilation fan capacity (cfm) 20000
House width (ft) 40 Number of air inlets to be used 25
Total fan capacity used in leakage test (cfm @ 0.10") 20000 Maximum air inlet height/opening (inches) 6.0
Relative leakage area (ft2 per 1,000 ft2 of house floor space) 0.65

Will a 1.6” inlet opening work? It depends, on factors such as:
 Will we get the cold air from the side wall all the way to the center of the  Inlet design:
house?  What direction is the air moving when it enters the house?
6
Does the inlet direct the incoming air upward or
outward when open a small amount? Upward….
34.0°C
Outward:
30
It will more likely make it
to the center of the house
25
95.0°F
95
20
15 90
15.0°C
85
It will probably will not make it to

the center of the house 82.0°F
For the traditional galvanized side wall inlets larger inlet

openings are typically required to get the proper direction It also depends on…
 Inlet placement
Typically between 2” to 3”
to obtain optimal direction
Inlets low in the side wall will make more difficult to To get inlets installed low in the side wall to perform,
get air to the center of the house with small openings inlet openings typically need to be larger
90.0°F
90
80
100.0°F
100
70
90
80 60
69.4
70
60.0°F
50.0°F
Sometimes 3” or more
7
Inlets close to the ceiling tend to perform better with Ceiling inlets will also tend to perform better than those
small openings… located lower in the side wall with small openings
 Because the air attaches to the ceiling sooner
Galvanized ceiling inlets typically around 1 ½” – 2”
Galvanized ceiling inlet with 1 1/2” opening For a surface mounted ceiling inlet…
 Sometimes a 1” opening will work
It also depends on… Ceiling smoothness

 Ceiling smoothness  The “rougher” the ceiling, the larger the inlet opening size required
8
Surface mounted ceiling inlet with a “rough” ceiling Surface mounted ceiling inlet with a “rough” ceiling
and a small inlet opening and a large inlet opening
Ceiling obstructions (i.e., pipes, conduits) can also

Air flow parallel to “ribs” affect inlet performance
If the obstruction is small and not But the closer it is to the inlet
close to the inlet the the bigger the potential problem
disruption is minimal
9
Even if it relatively small Once a house is built these three factors typically
don’t change:
 Inlet design
 Inlet placement
 Ceiling smoothness
 But, there are three other factors that managers can change that will affect
inlet performance:
 Static pressure
 Inlet opening
 Temperature difference
It is best to keep everything off the ceiling within at least 8’ of the side wall
Entrance speed vs. Static pressure Entrance speed vs. Static pressure
2,000
1,800
1,600
Air Velocity (ft/min)
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
0
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Static pressure (“)
Typical entrance velocity will be between 900 and 1,400 ft/min
In general low static pressures result in lower entrance But precisely far will the air moving into the house at
velocities and reduced air-jet travel distance different static pressures?
 Higher static pressures will result in higher entrance velocities…  There are some guidelines out there…
 Which in turn will result in increased travel distances into the house before House Width Operating Air speed Distance before
the air moves to the floor. Pressure the air drops
33’ (10 m) 0.04” (8 Pa) 700 ft/min (3.5 m/sec) 16’ (5 m)
39’ (12 m) 0.05” (10 Pa) 800 ft/min (4 m/sec) 20’ (6 m)
49’ (15 m) 0.08” (17 Pa) 1,000 ft/min (5 m/sec) 25’ (7.5 m)
59’ (18 m) 0.10” (26 Pa) 1,260 ft/min (6.3 m/sec) 30’ (9 m)
69’ (21 m) 0.15” (37 Pa) 1,500 ft/min (7.5 m/sec) (10.5 m)
79’ (24 m) 0.17” (42 Pa) 1,600 ft/min (8 m/sec) (12 m)
 But is it that simple?…

 More importantly are they correct?
10
There is much more to inlet performance than most people Inlet performance is as much of a science as nutrition or
realize… genetics…
There are dozens and dozens of theoretical inlet performance equations
“Ventilation of Buildings” – H.B. Awbi
Theoretical inlet performance equation: Theoretical air inlet performance vs. Static Pressure
 Xd=1.1(CdAo)0.5(Bg((Tr-Tj)/CdAo).5 (Vcc)-2  Xd=1.1(CdAo)0.5(Bg((Tr-Tj)/CdAo).5 (Vcc)-2
 Xd = air-jet detachment distance due to buoyancy

 Assumptions:
 Cd = Discharge coefficient
 Inlet is located at the ceiling…
 Ao= Inlet opening area
 Air enters parallel to the ceiling…
 Bg = Coefficient of thermal expansion
 Ceiling is smooth…
 Tr = Room temperature
 Air inlet is 48” long…
 Tdj = Air-jet temperature
 2” inlet opening…
 Vcc= air-jet vena contracta velocity
 80oF inside air temperature and
 40oF outside air temperature.
Dr. Steven Hoff – Iowa State University
Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure 40’ wide house
 Detachment distance:
 How far will the air travel before it detaches from the ceiling and start moving toward
the floor/birds.
 40’ wide house = 20’?
Xd
Xd
11
We don’t necessarily have to get the air jet to the center of
Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure the house before detaching
20  Depending on house width and ceiling height 5’ or 10’ from the center of the
18 house is often acceptable
Detachment Distance (ft)
16
 Wider houses a little sooner
14
 Taller houses a little sooner
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
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0.14
Static Pressure (") Xd
40’ wide house Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
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Static Pressure (")
Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure Published guidelines?

20
18
16 House Width Operating Air speed Distance before

14 Pressure the air drops
12 33’ (10 m) 0.04” (8 Pa) 700 ft/min (3.5 m/sec) 16’ (5 m)
10 39’ (12 m) 0.05” (10 Pa) 800 ft/min (4 m/sec) 20’ (6 m)
8 49’ (15 m) 0.08” (17 Pa) 1,000 ft/min (5 m/sec) 25’ (7.5 m)
6 59’ (18 m) 0.10” (26 Pa) 1,260 ft/min (6.3 m/sec) 30’ (9 m)
4 69’ (21 m) 0.15” (37 Pa) 1,500 ft/min (7.5 m/sec) (10.5 m)
2 79’ (24 m) 0.17” (42 Pa) 1,600 ft/min (8 m/sec) (12 m)
0
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
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0.1
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0.13
0.14
Static Pressure (")
0.12” = minimum
12
Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure Theoretical air inlet performance vs. Static Pressure
20  Xd=1.1(CdAo)0.5(Bg((Tr-Tj)/CdAo).5 (Vcc)-2
18
16
14  Assumptions:
12  Inlet is located at the ceiling…
Table indicates 20’
10  Air enters parallel to the ceiling…
8  Ceiling is smooth…
6
4
2
0  80oF inside air temperature and
40oF outside air temperature.
0
0.01
0.02
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0.05
0.06
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0.1
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0.14

Static Pressure (")
What is the reason for the difference?
Air detachment distance vs. Outside temperature Theoretical air inlet performance vs. Outside temperature
 The greater the difference between inside and outside temperature the  Assumptions: 100.0°F
greater the difference in the density of the air and the quicker it will tend to  Static pressure = 0.12”
fall.  Inlet is located at the ceiling… 80
25%  Air enters parallel to the ceiling…

Difference in air density
20% 60.0°F
15%
10%  80oF inside air temperature
5%
0%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
Temperature difference (F)
Air jet detachment distance vs. Outside temperature Air jet detachment distance vs. Outside temperature
20 20
18 18
16 16
14 14
12 12
10 10
8 8
6 6
4 4
2 2
0 0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Outside Temperature (F) Outside Temperature (F)
40oF or warmer…no problem
13
So what is the reason for the difference between the table
Air jet detachment distance vs. Outside temperature and the equation?
30  Xd=1.1(CdAo)0.5(Bg((Tr-Tj)/CdAo).5 (Vcc)-2
28
26 House Width Operating Air speed Distance before
24
22 Pressure the air drops
20 33’ (10 m) 0.04” (8 Pa) 700 ft/min (3.5 m/sec) 16’ (5 m)
18
16 39’ (12 m) 0.05” (10 Pa) 800 ft/min (4 m/sec) 20’ (6 m)
14 49’ (15 m) 0.08” (17 Pa) 1,000 ft/min (5 m/sec) 25’ (7.5 m)
12
10 59’ (18 m) 0.10” (26 Pa) 1,260 ft/min (6.3 m/sec) 30’ (9 m)
8 69’ (21 m) 0.15” (37 Pa) 1,500 ft/min (7.5 m/sec) (10.5 m)
6
4 79’ (24 m) 0.17” (42 Pa) 1,600 ft/min (8 m/sec) (12 m)
2
0  The table is based on the assumption that there is no temperature difference
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 between outside and inside
Outside Temperature (F)  “isothermal air-jet”
If there is a minimum temperature difference…anything tends to work
Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure
(40oF outside – 80oF inside) (40oF outside and 70oF outside)
30 30
25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
5 5
0 0
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Static Pressure (") Static Pressure (")
40 F 40 F 70 F
Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure

Published guidelines? (40oF outside and 70oF outside)
30
House Width Operating Air speed Distance before 25

Pressure the air drops 20
33’ (10 m) 0.04” (8 Pa) 700 ft/min (3.5 m/sec) 16’ (5 m)
15
39’ (12 m) 0.05” (10 Pa) 800 ft/min (4 m/sec) 20’ (6 m)
49’ (15 m) 0.08” (17 Pa) 1,000 ft/min (5 m/sec) 25’ (7.5 m) 10
59’ (18 m) 0.10” (26 Pa) 1,260 ft/min (6.3 m/sec) 30’ (9 m)
5
69’ (21 m) 0.15” (37 Pa) 1,500 ft/min (7.5 m/sec) (10.5 m)
79’ (24 m) 0.17” (42 Pa) 1,600 ft/min (8 m/sec) (12 m) 0
0.01
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0
0.1
Static Pressure (")

40 F 70 F
14
Inside and outside temperature difference… Moderately tight (0.06” – 0.13”)
 Plays a major role in air inlet performance  Marginal houses…(warm weather)

 ½ house brooding
 50 air inlets (6” X 48”)
How does inlet opening affect inlet performance? Air detachment distance Vs. Inlet opening
 The larger the inlet opening the further the air will tend to throw before
detaching.
Theoretical air inlet performance Vs. Inlet opening 40’ wide house – 15’ detachment distance
 Assumptions:
 Static pressure = 0.12”
 Inlet is located at the ceiling…
 Air enters parallel to the ceiling…
 80oF inside air temperature and
 40oF Outside temperature
15
Theoretical air inlet performance Vs. Inlet opening Theoretical air inlet performance
20 20
18 18

16 16
14 14
12 12
10 10
8 8
6 6
4 4
2 2
0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Inlet open (") Inlet open (")
2” or greater…no problem
Will a 1.6” inlet opening work? Theoretical air inlet performance Vs. Inlet opening
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
 Will we get the cold air from the side wall all the way to the center of the 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
house?
Inlet open (")
But the fact is that in many instances 1 ½” would be too

Will a 1.6” inlet opening work? small to get proper throw and mixing
 Due to inlet design, placement or temperature difference
 Will we get the cold air from the side wall all the way to the center of the
house?
 Maybe not to the center but it is likely to be good enough
16
With relatively small inlet openings (< 2”)… Fewer inlets…larger openings…improved direction
 it is often best to latch closed ½ of the inlets on the brooding end of the  Better throw
house to create a minimum ventilation inlet system to obtain a 2”+ during
cold weather

If we use only half the inlets will we have big variations in Typically the variation is minimal if alternate inlets are
house conditions? closed (1/2 on each side of the house) and…
The fact is that it is difficult to come up with a single

provided opened inlets are no further than 30’ apart chart/table because…
 There are multiple factors that all interact with one another
20 20
18 18
16 16
14 14
12 12
10 10
8 8
6 6
4 30 4
2 28 2
26
0 0
24
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 22
3.5 4 4.5 5 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
20
Inlet open (") 18 Outside Temperature (F)
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Pressure (")
17
To determine what combination of inlet opening and static pressure Evaluating air inlet performance using tape installed along
will be required to get the incoming air to the center of the house… the ceiling
 Will always require a little experimentation!
 Place survey tape 5’ from the side wall, 10’ from the side wall and 5’ from the peak of
the ceiling
The fact is that it is difficult to come up with a single

chart/table because… Starting point for 40’ wide house (cold weather)
 There are multiple factors that all interact with one another  1.5”+ inlet opening
 But there are some general guidelines that can be uses as stating points  0.12”+ pressure
20 20
18 18
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12 12
10 10
8 30 8
6 28 6
26
4 4
24
2 22 2
20
0 18 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
16 4 4.5 5 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Inlet open (") 14 Outside Temperature (F)
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10
8
6
4
2
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Pressure (")
Example where closing a portion of the side wall inlets

Starting point for 60’ wide house (cold weather) improved the condition of the incoming air
 3”+ inlet opening  60’+ wide house
 +0.14”+ pressure
18
Wider house using all side wall inlets…proper inlet, proper pressure,
small inlet opening, low in the side wall, rough ceiling Cold side walls…warm center
95.0°F 95.0°F
90 90
70.2
80 80
70 70
60.7
60.0°F 60.0°F
Closed 2/3 of the inlets to obtain a larger opening Closed 2/3 of the inlets to obtain a larger opening
95.0°F 95.0°F
90 90
80 80
70.0
70 70
67.3
60.0°F 60.0°F
Starting points Examples of not getting it right…

 Larger the temperature difference… 92.3 100.0°F
100
 Higher pressures…larger inlet openings
 Wider houses…
 Higher pressures…larger inlet openings 95
 Rougher the ceiling 70.7
 Poor inlet design

 Poor inlet placement
 Larger inlet openings. 83.4
 Generally this is accomplished by first closing a portion of the inlets 80.0°F
Proper pressure, smooth ceiling, good inlet…

low in the side wall…small inlet opening
19
Not obtaining optimal throw of cold incoming air Not obtaining optimal throw of cold incoming air
100.0°F 100.0°F
100 87.1 100
90.7
95 95
90 90
85 85
75.5
80.0
80.0°F 80.0°F
Another example.. Not obtaining optimal throw of cold incoming air (center)
100.0°F 100.0°F
100 100
95 95
90 90
85 85
92.9
88.3 84.2
75.6 80 80
75.0°F 75.0°F
Right pressure…right inlet location…rough ceiling…small

inlet opening Poor conditioning/distribution of cold incoming air
 The air stream does not have enough mass to make it to the center of the 105.0°F
house…
97.0°F 100
95
90
90
85
80 80
75
72.0°F
70.0°F
20
What about our very tight houses? House tightness spreadsheet
Poultry House Leakage Test:

House length (ft) 500
House width (ft) 40
Total fan capacity used in leakage test (cfm @ 0.10") 20000
 40’ X 500’ curtain-sided house Relative leakage area (ft2 per 1,000 ft2 of house floor space) 0.39
 ½ house brooding Total house leakage area (ft2) 7.8
 50 air inlets (6” X 48”)
 good Between 0.6 and 0.4 ft2 /1,000 ft2 (0.14” – 0.22”)
 outstanding Less than 0.4 ft2 /1,000 ft2 (0.23” or higher)
Static pressure test =0.23” Very tight houses

 Latching closed ½ the inlets on the brooding end is generally not
Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements: required…especially if you have quality air inlets
Number of air inlets to be used 25  That being said during very cold weather when we need high pressures and
Maximum air inlet height/opening (inches) 6.0 larger openings it may still prove beneficial

Very tight house using a single 36” fan and 12 side wall air
Something else to consider for very tight houses inlets
 The house may be tight enough to use less than 1 cfm/ft2 of exhaust fan
capacity for timer fans Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:
 For instance using a single 36” fan with a very tight brooding curtain Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 47%
21
A single 36” fan on an interval timer would operate twice as
long as two 36” fans Or possibly two 24” fans could be used
 One on the brooding end…one on the nonbrooding end
 Reducing the downtime between fan cycles thereby creating a more uniform
environment.
22

12 Air Inlet Operation

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12 Air Inlet Operation

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How we operate a house during cold weather depends to a

large extent on house tightness

Basic air inlet management

Houses can be divided into roughly four tightness classes

 very poor = 0.05” or lower Poultry House Leakage Test:

Once we determine which class a house falls into we can

Poultry House Leakage Test:

 40’ X 500’ curtain-sided house

Input the desired minimum ventilation fan capacity…not

Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:

Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:

 On time = minimum ventilation rate / timer fan capacity X 300

Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:

Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 1%

How much air will enter through the inlets?

the problem is that it is all entering through the cracks

We could increase the number of minimum

Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:

But did we solve the problem?

Did we solve the problem? Furthermore…

During cold weather a grower with a very loose house is

 40’ X 500’ curtain-sided house

House tightness spreadsheet “Moderately tight ” (0.13”)

Poultry House Leakage Test: Minimum Ventilation Inlet Opening Requirements:

Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 51%

Will a 1.6” inlet opening work? It depends, on factors such as:

It will probably will not make it to

For the traditional galvanized side wall inlets larger inlet

Galvanized ceiling inlets typically around 1 ½” – 2”

It also depends on… Ceiling smoothness

Ceiling obstructions (i.e., pipes, conduits) can also

 But is it that simple?…

“Ventilation of Buildings” – H.B. Awbi

 Xd = air-jet detachment distance due to buoyancy

Dr. Steven Hoff – Iowa State University

Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure Published guidelines?

16 House Width Operating Air speed Distance before

Static Pressure (")

Static Pressure (")

What is the reason for the difference?

25%  Air enters parallel to the ceiling…

Detachment Distance (ft)

40oF or warmer…no problem

If there is a minimum temperature difference…anything tends to work

Detachment Distance (ft)

Air jet detachment distance vs. Static pressure

House Width Operating Air speed Distance before 25

Static Pressure (")

 40’ X 500’ curtain-sided house

Detachment Distance (ft)

But the fact is that in many instances 1 ½” would be too

Percentage of air that will entering through inlets 51%

The fact is that it is difficult to come up with a single

Detachment Distance (ft)

The fact is that it is difficult to come up with a single

Detachment Distance (ft)

Example where closing a portion of the side wall inlets

Starting points Examples of not getting it right…

 Rougher the ceiling 70.7

 Higher pressures…larger inlet openings 90

 Poor inlet design

 Generally this is accomplished by first closing a portion of the inlets 80.0°F