ᐅ Controlled residential ventilation with separate supply and exhaust air configured differently
Created on: 17 Jul 2017 12:50
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Tommes78Hello everyone,
I just noticed that two rooms in our basement (living basement) were built differently than shown in the construction plans.
We have a large room in the basement with big windows due to the slope. Contrary to the plans, exhaust air was installed there, whereas the plans specify supply air. The reason given was that we had kitchen connections installed, but these were only provisionally put in place in case the room is ever used as a separate apartment. Currently, it is planned as a guest room.
In the other basement storage room without windows, supply air was installed, although the plans call for exhaust air.
I assume the mechanical ventilation planner made these changes on their own. However, I specifically reviewed and approved the construction plans.
I could still accept the exhaust air in the large room because of a possible future kitchen, but it makes no sense to me in the other basement room. All the other basement rooms have exhaust air as well.
The site manager naturally says it’s no problem and that the ratio just needs to be right. Either way, it fits, but I signed off on the construction plans, and to me, they were correct as such.
What are your thoughts?
I just noticed that two rooms in our basement (living basement) were built differently than shown in the construction plans.
We have a large room in the basement with big windows due to the slope. Contrary to the plans, exhaust air was installed there, whereas the plans specify supply air. The reason given was that we had kitchen connections installed, but these were only provisionally put in place in case the room is ever used as a separate apartment. Currently, it is planned as a guest room.
In the other basement storage room without windows, supply air was installed, although the plans call for exhaust air.
I assume the mechanical ventilation planner made these changes on their own. However, I specifically reviewed and approved the construction plans.
I could still accept the exhaust air in the large room because of a possible future kitchen, but it makes no sense to me in the other basement room. All the other basement rooms have exhaust air as well.
The site manager naturally says it’s no problem and that the ratio just needs to be right. Either way, it fits, but I signed off on the construction plans, and to me, they were correct as such.
What are your thoughts?
B
Bieber081517 Jul 2017 13:37Tommes78 schrieb:
What do you think about this? If there is an approved version of the construction drawings, such significant changes may only be made after a plan revision and agreement on it.
How serious this is can only be determined with more information (basement ventilation concept).
Is a correction still possible with reasonable effort?
I don’t think it can be changed. As far as I can tell, exhaust ducts are different from supply air ducts. But I’m also just an amateur in this matter.
To me, it simply doesn’t make sense that a basement room without windows would receive supply air. Otherwise, I could design any room the way I wanted, as long as the ratio was correct.
The question is who has the expertise in this field. I probably shouldn’t ask the controlled ventilation system planner or our site manager if I want an unbiased opinion.
To me, it simply doesn’t make sense that a basement room without windows would receive supply air. Otherwise, I could design any room the way I wanted, as long as the ratio was correct.
The question is who has the expertise in this field. I probably shouldn’t ask the controlled ventilation system planner or our site manager if I want an unbiased opinion.
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Bieber081517 Jul 2017 15:13The direction of airflow does not matter to the ducts. The question is whether a distribution box is embedded in concrete or screed, or if only a small section of ductwork near the central unit needs to be rearranged to convert an exhaust vent into a supply vent. Since we are not familiar with your system or the planning involved, it’s hard to say.
The ventilation system planner should be able to explain why this decision was made and what can still be done to fix it. The construction manager, on the other hand, is your contact if you want to communicate that you want the building constructed as originally planned.
By the way:
The point about the kitchen is valid. However, turning a windowless storage room into a supply air zone is, in my opinion, not the right approach. The planner should have discussed this with you beforehand.
Maybe you could share the planning documents here (anonymized).
The ventilation system planner should be able to explain why this decision was made and what can still be done to fix it. The construction manager, on the other hand, is your contact if you want to communicate that you want the building constructed as originally planned.
By the way:
The point about the kitchen is valid. However, turning a windowless storage room into a supply air zone is, in my opinion, not the right approach. The planner should have discussed this with you beforehand.
Maybe you could share the planning documents here (anonymized).
If the distribution box is accessible, it might be possible to swap the two ducts, as Bieber mentioned. Considering the common desire to change the use of the rooms later on, it would have been wise to ensure accessibility for such a swap.
In general, the balance must be correct, placing exhaust air in "smelly" rooms and supply air in living areas. In your case, it’s the other way around, but the planned future change of use certainly makes the decision more complicated. Right now, it’s reversed; if a kitchen were to be installed there, supply air would be inappropriate because odors would then be drawn through the hallway towards the exhaust.
How serious this is remains to be seen. The same applies to your current situation: technically, supply air in the storage room isn’t ideal, but I don’t see it as a major issue—unless you expect there to be odor development there.
In general, the balance must be correct, placing exhaust air in "smelly" rooms and supply air in living areas. In your case, it’s the other way around, but the planned future change of use certainly makes the decision more complicated. Right now, it’s reversed; if a kitchen were to be installed there, supply air would be inappropriate because odors would then be drawn through the hallway towards the exhaust.
How serious this is remains to be seen. The same applies to your current situation: technically, supply air in the storage room isn’t ideal, but I don’t see it as a major issue—unless you expect there to be odor development there.
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