Car Park Ventilation System Design - Fan Quantities

Description
For the purpose of estimating costs, the steps on the following pages may be bypassed. Allow 5N of
thrust per 100m2 of car park floor area to approximate the number of fans required.
Estimating fan quantities
The following steps are sufficient to create an initial impulse ventilation system design. A Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is often required to prove and further refine the design. Fans may need to
be re-orientated, or in some cases, added or removed. An impulse ventilation system can be tailored to
suit virtually any car park. Before considering fan locations, the system layout will need to be identified.
Refer to the previous section for information relating to system layouts and their suitability for particular
car parks.
Step 1 - Assessing Car Park Geometry
First identify the supply and exhaust points in the car park. A system that complements the natural air
path and is able to circulate or move air effectively within the car park should be chosen. Certain layout
features may assist the effectiveness of a particular layout as shown below:
(a) ‘Natural air path’
 Figure 6(a). Preferred natural air path

Figure 6(b). Natural air path to be avoided

 For ‘Linear Flow Systems’, supply and exhaust points should be spaced across the length of a
car park.
 ‘Circular Mixing Systems’ are more tolerant of closely placed supply and exhaust points, but it is
advisable to have a good amount of separation.
 Supply air points should include access ramps to outside.
 The impulse ventilation system layout should complement the natural air path from supply to
exhaust points.
(b) Ceiling features
To make the system more effective, position JetVent Fans in-line with supporting ceiling beams as
illustrated in Figure 7(a). If this is not possible, the system becomes less effective and more fans may be
needed.

Figure 7(a). Fan’s air movement parallel to beams is most

effective
 Figure 7(b). Fan’s air movement perpendicular to beams is less
effective
(c) Vertical clearance
Sufficient vertical clearance ensures maximum flexibility in system design. JetVent Fans may be recessed
between ceiling beams to minimise the height of the system.

Figure 8(a). Sufficient clearance

Figure 8(b). Insufficient clearance

(d) Obstructions
If there is no option and the JetVent Fans must blow across ceiling beams, they have to be positioned a
sufficient distance away from the obstruction as illustrated in Figure 9(b). A horizontal distance eight times
(8x) the height of the obstruction is generally sufficient. Nozzles on the JetVent units are specially
designed and angled downwards for this purpose.
 Figure 9(a). Obstruction too close

Figure 9(b). Obstruction out of the way

(e) Clashes with other services
Place mechanical service components, such as sprinklers, signs and pipework out of the JetVent’s
discharge pattern area. Examples of these clashes are shown below.

Figure 10(a). An example of how to avoid clashes with pipe-

work
 Figure 10(b). Jet fan layout in relation to sprinkler
heads
Step 2 - Identify Fan Selection and Spacing
Table 5 shows the maximum and recommended spacings between JetVent Fans for different levels of fan
thrust. These spacing distances are guidelines for fans placed in series. When using these spacings, air
velocities in most of the ventilated areas should be greater than 1m/s. Analysis will determine whether this
is achieved in a particular car park design. In some ideal cases, designs using the maximum distances
have been effective.

Fan thrust depends on the operating speed of a particular fan unit and its thrust rating. See tables one to
four for the thrust ratings of various fan models at different speeds.
Operating Recommended fan to fan Maximum fan to fan Approximate
fan thrust spacing distance spacing distance coverage area

50N 45m 60m 1000m2

28N 34m 45m 560m2

25N 30m 40m 500m2

19N 23m 30m 380m2

12N 12m 20m 250m2

Table 5. Fan spacing and coverage

Note that using fewer higher rated JetVent fans generally makes the system more cost effective than
using more lower rated fans. However, to effectively ventilate car parks with unusual or irregularly shaped
geometries, selecting more fans with smaller thrust ratings may be necessary.
 Figure 11(a). Two 25N fans

Figure 11(b). One 50N fan

Step 3 - Design Example
For the purpose of estimating costs, the steps below may be bypassed. Allow 5N of thrust per 100m 2 of
car park floor area to approximate the number of fans required. Fans should be placed in the laneways
with the air blowing along them. This will ensure that the high air velocities close to the outlet nozzle do
not significantly disturb pedestrian traffic as velocities will be lower at the lane edges. Also, ensure that
the throw pattern of the selected fan is long enough to reach the next impulse fan.
Figure 12 shows an example of how fans are sized and placed based on floor area. [Download PDF]
 Figure 12. Fan sizing and placement example
Design parameters;
 Based on 5N per 100m2 floor area, minimum total fan thrust = car park floor area x 5N/100m 2
= 1920m2 x 5N/100m2
= 96N
 Minimum thrust criteria can be achieved with 4 x JISU-CPC-50N fans on low speed (operating
thrust 25N), total fan thrust= 25N x 4= 100N.
 Fans are spaced within the 30m spacing recommendation for 25N thrust.
 Final fan to wall spacing under 40m maximum spacing guide lines for 25N fan thrust. This is
because the exhaust point is an area of low pressure, making it likely to enhance the fan throw distance.
Placement of CO sensors:
Because the guidelines for positioning CO sensors in AS/NZS1668.2:2012 is based on a ducted system,
we propose that the following guidelines be used as a starting point for their placement in a jet fan
system.
 No part of the enclosure shall be greater than 25 metres from a sampling point. (A 50 metre
diameter circle around a CO sensor can show coverage areas).
 Additional detectors shall be installed in areas where people may congregate within the car park
and are not within separately ventilated areas.
 The most practical mounting position for a CO sensor within a car park is the support columns.
 CO sensors will be more effective if placed in areas where CO levels are likely to be high. Eg.
Placing a CO sensor in front of a fresh air intake is not likely to be effective.
If jet fans are placed in each laneway of a car park and the recommended low speed jetfan spacings are
followed, the above guidelines can be achieved by using one CO sensor per jet fan and providing
additional CO sensors at congregation points. Therefore, for this car park we would suggest installing 5 (4
+ 1) CO sensors for good coverage.
Step 4 - Calculate Supply & Exhaust Rates
Section 4 of AS/NZS1668.2:2012 details requirements for ventilating car parks. In particular, sup-sections
4.4.3 and 4.4.4.2 of the standard outlines calculations of exhaust rates. In any of the two cases below, the
exhaust air flow rate for a car park is taken as the greatest of the following calculations:
Calculation of exhaust air flow rates
Car parks with more than 40 spaces Car parks with less than or equal to 40 spaces

a) 2000 x F x T Litres/s (minimum air quantity for one operating car) a) 2000 Litres/s

b) 0.85 x P x (100 x n1+ n1 x d1 + n2 x d2 ) x E x T b) 2.5 x A Litres/s

c) 2.5 x A Litres/s (minimum air quality based on area of car park) c) 400 n1 x P Litres/s

Supply air flows should range from 75% to 90% of the exhaust air quantity. This is based on the
pressurisation of the car park, which should be 12Pa maximum.
Reference information for the calculation of exhaust air flow rates in the table above:
A = the area of the zone or level, in square metres
d1 = the average driving distance, in metres, within the zone or level under consideration for the exit of a
car parked there (see Clause 4.4.4.1)
d2 = the average driving distance, in metres, within the zone or level under consideration for the exit of a
car whose exit route passes through the zone or level under consideration, but excluding any part of the
exit route designated as queuing areas and ventilated in accordance with Clause 4.6 (see Clause 4.4.4.1)
E = the staff exposure factor (E)
F = the staff usage factor (F)
n1 = the number of parking spaces in the zone of level under consideration (see Clause 4.3.2)
n2 = the number of parking spaces situated in other parts of the car park, having exit routes passing
through the zone or level under consideration
P = the parking usage factor (P)
T = the vehicle type factor (T)

If the car park has significant queuing areas for vehicles, refer to section 4.6 in AS1668.2:2012
Appendix
AS/NZS1668.2 - 2012 Calculation Factors
Parking Usage Factor (P)
 Parking
Use of car park usage
factor (P)

Residential 0.3

Commercial 0.5

Retail/food and drink services 0.7

Entertainment/sports centres 1.0

Vehicle Depots 2.4

Vehicle Type Factor (T)

Vehicle type
Use of car park Parking
factor (T)

No special vehicle
1.0
population

Diesel vehicles 2.4

LPG vehicles 1.0

CNG vehicles 1.0

Electric powered vehicles 0.1

Motorcycles 0.25

Staff Usage/Exposure Factor (E & F)

Staff exposure
Parking procedure Staff usage factor (F)
factor (E)

No special procedures (self-parking), any staff in separate enclosure

1 1
ventilated in accordance with Clause 4.2.2

Self-parking stack parking, any staff in separate enclosure ventilated in 1 + 0.1 x No. of car spaces without immediate
1
accordance with Clause 4.2.2 access to driveway

No special procedures (self-parking), staff located in car parking

1.8 2
enclosure

2 + 0.25 x No. of car spaces without immediate

Self parking stack parking, staff located in car parking enclosure 1.8
access to driveway

Attendant parking no stack parking 1.8 2.5 x No. of attendants

Attendant parking stack parking 1.8 3.5 x No. of attendants

2 x No. of car engines

Mechanical stack parking 1.8
operating at any one time

References
 Australian Building Codes Board 2013, Building Code of Australia Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings
Volume One, ABCB, Canberra.
 British Standards Institution 1999, Fans for general purposes. Methods of noise testing (BS 848-2
– 1985), British Standards, London.
 British Standards Institution 1999, Fans for general purposes. Performance testing of jet fans (BS
848-10 – 1999), British Standards, London.
 Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) 2007, CFD Modeling for Car Park
Ventilation Systems, Federation of Environmental Trade Associations, Berkshire.
 Standards Association of Australia 1999, Methods of test and rating requirements for smoke-spill
fans-(AS 4429 – 1999), Standards Australia, Sydney.
 Standards Association of Australia 1998, The use of ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings
Part 1: Fire and smoke control in multi-compartment buildings (AS 1668.1 – 1998), Standards Australia,
Sydney.
 Standards Association of Australia 2012, The use of ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings
Part 2: Ventilation design for indoor air contaminant control (AS 1668.2 – 2012), Standards Australia,
Sydney.

Supply & Exhaust fans

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Exhausting or supplying air in a wide range of The casing is of galvanised steel with a
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Exhausting or supplying air to applications The casing is of galvanised steel with a

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Capable of exhausting or supplying air in The square plate is manufactured from

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Suitable for general ventilation applications in

commercial and light industrial environment The square plate is manufactured from
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AP Series In-Line Direct air applications such as shopping centres, Casings are hot-dip galvanised mild stee
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APV Series In-Line air applications such as shopping centres, Casings are hot-dip galvanised mild stee
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Vertical industrial processes and equipment ventilation.

SQ Series Square Plate Capable of exhausting or supplying air in Capable of exhausting or supplying air in
diverse environments ie. diverse environments ie.
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Supply or exhaust from a vast range of

APCR Series In-Line applications, where additional pressure is Contact Fantech for more information.
Contra-rotating required; generally ducted.

Commercial and industrial supply or exhaust

air applications such as shopping centres, Galvanised steel housings with 35mm T
Multiflow Series office buildings, exhibition centres, hotels, profile flange connections.
health centres, schools and universities.

Can exhaust air at normal to high temperatures

Cowls are of galvanised steel with coate
for applications such as commercial kitchens
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Can exhaust air for applications such as Cowls are of galvanised steel and ca
Heritage Ultra Series commercial kitchens and bakeries. coated as an optional extra.

Downflow exhaust axial Suitable for almost any ventilation duty, either Galvanised steel base, cowls/windbands
supply or exhaust. plastic, fibreglass or galvanised steel.
roof unit
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Vertical exhaust axial roof Suitable for almost any ventilation duty.
Galvanised steel base, cowls/windbands
plastic, fibreglass or galvanised steel.
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Galvanised steel base, cowls/windbands

Suitable for almost any ventilation duty.
Smoke spill roof axial fan plastic, fibreglass or galvanised steel.

The HC model exhausts air from a wide range

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Supplying fresh air to an air handling unit or to

an air conditioning system in commercial Cowls are of UV-stabilised plastic.
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Supplying fresh air to an air handling unit or to

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Exhausting clean air and a range of toxic, Pressed galvanised steel base; cowls and
Downflow exhaust axial noxious and corrosive gases from a wide range windbands are of plastic, fibreglass or
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Exhausting clean air and a range of toxic, Pressed galvanised steel base; cowls and
Vertical Exhaust Axial noxious and corrosive gases from a wide range windbands are of plastic, fibreglass or
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Used as the discharge point where the fan is

Flanged Vertical mounted elsewhere in the system yet vertical
Backdraft shutters:
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Bushfire Compliant Axial Ideal for supplying fresh air to an air handling
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JIU-CPCEC Series harmful vehicle exhaust pollutants.
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Designed for a wide range of supply or

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Blue Rhino SWSI centres, food halls and car parks.

Designed for a wide range of supply or

exhaust air applications such as shopping Fully welded mild steel casings.
Blue Rhino SWSI centres, food halls and car parks.

Designed for a wide range of supply or

SWSI Centrifugal Fan - exhaust applications such as office buildings, Fully welded mild steel casings.
Laminar shopping centres, hospitals and universities.
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Designed for a wide range of supply or

DWDI Centrifugal Fan - exhaust applications such as office buildings, Fully welded mild steel casings.
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Designed for a wide range of supply or

SWSI Centrifugal Fan - exhaust applications such as office buildings, Fully welded mild steel casings.
Aerofoil shopping centres, hospitals and universities.

Designed for a wide range of supply or

DWDI Centrifugal Fan - exhaust applications such as office buildings, Fully welded mild steel casings.
Aerofoil shopping centres, hospitals and universities.

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