Corridor Pressurization Fans

Posted by Jim Tweedhope (139.142.113.187) on November 01, 2000 at 10:43:20:

It is my understanding that corridor pressurization is to be run continuously in multi-

residential buildings (BCBC). Has anyone any used any
other codes or standards for this or does one not get too bent on the issue? It was my
understanding that the pressurization worked to keep
smoke out of the corridors as well as cooking odors

Re: Corridor Pressurization Fans

Posted by Bob Furlong (209.53.94.149) on November 01, 2000 at 12:45:49:

In Reply to: Corridor pressurization fans posted by Jim Tweedhope on November 01,
2000 at 10:43:20:

It is my understanding that the corridor ventilation, in residential buildings was for

concern of healthy air, such as cooking odors, etc., as you
have stated. From Codes past, the corridor ventilation could have been accomplished by
having an operable window on each floor area. In
the older buildings, I have seen this approach.

It seems that as we have become more energy, environmental and ecology aware, the
ventilation served also to control build-up of algae,
germs, etc. from stagnant moisture and vapors which were not kept moving through and
out of the building. The operable window was not
energy efficient of course and most likely needed mechanical means to accomplish the
healthy air movement. Perhaps the leaky condos were
intended as an alternative to the mechanical ventilation (not really a funny statement).

I am not completely sure about the need for the fans to run all the time, some I have seen
on timers to cycle the air movement; but then this
was for the Building Inspector to deal with.

I only get involved if the mechanical system needed duct detection & shutdown on alarm
signal sequences. In the older buildings with
operable windows and limited ducting I do not get too involved, yet.