Step 1:
Assess Parking Garage Geometry
Assess the best circulation pattern for the garage, and identify the supply and exhaust points. If possible, choose a design that complements the natural airflow. Airflow with broad circulation patterns that promote mixing will provide the most effective ventilation.
Assisted Natural Flow
In big, open garages—particularly where supply and exhaust outlets are a large distance apart—JetVent Fans can be used to reinforce the natural, directional airflow, boosting the volume of fresh air that ventilates the garage. JetVent fans can generate constant air movement in these garages to ensure that air moves evenly across the width of the garage. This assisted natural flow is a low-cost, effective way to eliminate air stagnation and remove the potential threat of unsafe levels of airborne pollutants.
Linear Flow
A linear flow system uses JetVent fans pointing in the same general direction to move air from one end of a garage to the other. This system is similar to a traditional, ducted system, however, the JetVent fans will direct airflow from a single supply point to a single exhaust point. For this plan to work effectively, the exhaust and supply points should be located on opposing ends of the garage across its longest dimensions. If this is not the case, units arranged for circular mixing may be a better solution.
Linear Flow systems supply and exhaust points should be separated along the longest dimension of the garage.
Circular Flow
JetVent Fans can be positioned around the garage to generate air movement in a circular flow. This circular pattern mixes the air throughout the entire garage, provides greater dilution of airborne pollutants, and creates added flexibility when locating supply and exhaust points. Unlike a linear flow system, a circular flow system does not require exhaust and supply points to be on opposite sides of the garage. Circular mixing is best-suited for smaller garages, less than 160 feet in length or width.
Circular Flow systems are more tolerant of closely placed supply and exhaust points, however, it is still advisable to have a good amount of separation.
Step 2:
Fan Selection and Spacing
Determine Recommended Number of Newtons
Assign 5 Newtons per 1,000 sq. ft. of garage floor. For multi-level structures, do this calculation independently for each level.
Select Fan Model
Vertical height restrictions may dictate which model to use. Check this first. If height restrictions do not drive fan selection, using fewer, higher-rated JetVent fans generally makes the system more cost-effective than using more, lower-rated fans. However, to ventilate garages that are irregularly shaped, selecting more fans with smaller thrust ratings may be more effective.
Determine 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 the Recommended Fan Spacing is used, air speed in most of the in most of the ventilated areas should be greater than 200 feet/min. CFD analysis will determine whether this is achieved in a particular garage design. Operating fans at Recommended Speed or below will ensure acceptable sound levels—see sound level data on Products page for additional information.