Ventilation and indoor air quality
Outdoor air, filtration, humidity and contaminant control for healthy buildings. 15 guides.
- ASHRAE Standard 62.1 ventilation rate procedure
Learn how the ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation rate procedure calculates outdoor air for a zone and a system, with worked steps, typical rates and notes on how Canadian codes reference the standard.
- Airborne infection control in commercial HVAC
Learn the layered HVAC measures that reduce airborne transmission of infectious aerosols, how ASHRAE Standard 241 frames them, and how to apply them in offices, schools and other non-healthcare buildings.
- Building pressurization and infiltration control
Learn what drives air leakage through the envelope, why a slight positive pressure matters, and how designers, balancers and operators keep building pressure under control.
- Condensation and mould prevention
Learn the dew point principles behind condensation, the most common problem areas in commercial buildings, and the HVAC and envelope measures that keep surfaces dry and mould-free.
- Dehumidification strategies for commercial buildings
Learn where latent loads come from, how each dehumidification method works, and how to choose a strategy that controls humidity without wasting energy.
- Demand-controlled ventilation with CO2 sensors
Learn how CO2 sensors can adjust outdoor air to match actual occupancy, how to set up the control logic so ventilation stays compliant, and the sensor and maintenance issues that decide whether it works.
- Energy recovery ventilators and heat recovery ventilators
Understand the difference between heat and energy recovery, the main exchanger types, how to manage frost and cross-contamination, and what to check when selecting a unit.
- Filtration: MERV ratings, HEPA and pressure drop
Learn what MERV ratings and ISO 16890 classes measure, when HEPA filtration is needed, and how to balance filter efficiency against pressure drop, fan energy and maintenance in commercial buildings.
- Garage ventilation and CO/NO2 detection
Learn how parkade ventilation systems work, how gas detection saves energy while protecting occupants, and what to check during design, commissioning and maintenance.
- Humidification in cold climates
Learn why indoor air gets so dry in Canadian winters, which buildings genuinely need humidification, how steam and adiabatic humidifiers compare, and how to set humidity limits that protect the building envelope.
- Indoor air quality testing and what to measure
Learn which indoor air quality parameters matter, which Canadian and international guidelines apply, and how to plan an IAQ investigation that produces useful answers.
- Odour control and exhaust re-entrainment
Learn how exhaust plumes behave around buildings, the separation distances and stack design practices that prevent re-entrainment, and how to diagnose odour complaints in existing buildings.
- Outdoor air intake placement and design
Learn where outdoor air intakes should and should not go, how to keep out snow, rain and contaminants, and how to size louvres and plenums for Canadian conditions.
- UV germicidal irradiation in air systems
Learn how ultraviolet germicidal irradiation inactivates microorganisms, where it is effective in HVAC systems, and the design, safety and maintenance issues that decide whether it works.
- Ventilation for wildfire smoke events
Learn how wildfire smoke enters buildings, how to adjust outdoor air and filtration during smoke events, and how to prepare a building readiness plan before the next fire season.