Whether we are in our home or at our workplace, installing a ventilation and aeration system is mandatory to preserve our health. Without it, the air in rooms heavily polluted by its occupants or by various pollutants (radioactive gas, Volatile Organic Compounds, formaldehydes, etc.) would be unbreathable. To constantly renew the air, several devices can be set up, including the CMV, often installed in new private homes and air extractor fans that the professional sector uses widely.
Two types of pollution in the workplace
The law requires both individuals and professionals to put in place devices capable of expelling impure air more commonly known as "stale air", in order to to limit the risk of respiratory diseasess, allergic, etc., but also for protect employees or particular of a fire or an explosion due to the dispersion of a flammable product in the air. To comply with the Labor Code and guarantee a state of purity in the atmosphere, several solutions exist: install an air extractor fan or set up mechanical ventilation.
On this subject, VIF Ventilation has a whole catalog of industrial air extractor fans (axial, centrifugal, helical) perfectly adapted to the constraints of industries, craftsmen and communities. The choice of the two solutions is based on the specificities of the workplaces and the nature of the pollutants potentially present in the air.
Non-specific pollution: less restrictive
Before detailing the main existing solutions, it is important to focus on a few concepts in order to understand the entire subject. When we talk about pollution, we tend to see big fumes coming out of factories or car exhausts. Gold, polluted air is also air breathed by people and therefore depleted in oxygen and overloaded with CO2. This type of pollution is called non-specific pollution, that is to say pollution inherent in human presence. This is particularly the case in offices, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, etc.
Workplaces that only have this type of pollution have fewer ventilation constraints. Indeed, only mechanical ventilation ventilation is required. Ventilation with openings (doors, windows, windows) also called permanent natural ventilation is also possible, but under certain conditions (C. trav., Art R. 4222-4 and s.).
Specific pollution: the one to treat absolutely
Specific pollution in the workplace concerns all other pollutants which are not related to the human presence. In short, all that can generate pathologies due to the breathing of irritating, toxic, corrosive gases or particles for the organization. This may concern various glues for furniture and coatings, plasters, maintenance products for floors, walls and surfaces, hydrocarbons, radioactive gases, etc., and any other substance considered dangerous to health in any form. or (gas, vapor, aerosols, etc.).
In the same way as non-specific pollution, these rooms in contact with these pollutants must guarantee the same air renewal capacity as provided by mechanical ventilation. But in addition and according to the limits set by the Labor Code, they are obliged to respect the concentration rate of dangerous substances (gas, aerosols, dust) present in the air. For example, in the context of respirable dust, the employee during the whole of his working time must not inhale more than 5 mg / m³ of air. Thus, depending on the pollutants inhaled, exposure limits are determined and must be the subject of specific adjustments.
How to remedy specific and non-specific pollution
The problem posed, it is now a question of making the appropriate decisions to guarantee healthy air to all occupants of the premises. You must therefore proceed step by step to determine your own needs.
First, the ideal solution consists of completely remove the pollutant so as to avoid its dispersion at the time of its production. For this, there are no other means than to capture the pollutants locally, that is to say directly at the source of the emission. This evacuation has the advantage of not allowing pollutants to enter the respiratory tracts of employees and of preserving the quality of the air in the room.
Unfortunately, this arrangement is not always feasible. In this case, there is no choice but to let the pollutant disperse into the air. IIt will then be necessary to play on the limits imposed by the legislators and to try to regulate the concentration of toxic products in the air by the massive influx of fresh air into the room. This intake of outside air, supposed to be healthy, will reduce the concentrations and mechanically restrict the amount of polluted air that each employee will inhale during their working day.
VMC or air extractor?
In general, we prefer VMC in places where pollution is said to be nonspecific. Less powerful than the air extractor, the VMC is suitable for offices and in private homes. However, be aware that you must first think about its installation when building your house. Even if it is possible to install it during a renovation, it will require more substantial work.
But nothing prevents you from installing an extractor fan in your home if your VMC is faulty. Obviously, several ranges are marketed, some of which are adapted for non-professional use.
As to air extractor fans, by their power and their different functions (extracting hot air, unpleasant odors, smoke, evacuating humidity, etc.), they are more suitable for environments that are more harmful and dangerous for the health of the man. This is how they are privileged in industries, crafts and communities.
Its choice will have to be established according to the number of occupants present in your room and the surface of the latter. To do this, we recommend that you contact specialized retailers who can guide you on personalized solutions.