Low VOC Environmental Room
Low VOC Environmental Room
(OP)
I am tasked to design an HVAC system to keep low VOC levels in an environmental room. The room was formerly a clean room but now it is vacant. It is approximately 1000 sqft with one wall exposed to outside (500 sqft). There is a layin ceiling with a space above before reaching the roof. The remaining sides are exposed to unconditioned plant spaces. Internal loads will be minimal - lighting and no more than 3 people.
Particulate is not a concern, but VOC levels are. VOC levels cannot exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter for any individual compound, including formaldehyde, and the total VOC level cannot exceed 25 micrograms per cubic meter.
temp needs to be 73 deg +/- 3 deg and humidity 50% +/- 10%
Room will have painted steel walls and probably the same for ceiling tiles.
Any suggestions on HVAC equipment to handle this room?
Particulate is not a concern, but VOC levels are. VOC levels cannot exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter for any individual compound, including formaldehyde, and the total VOC level cannot exceed 25 micrograms per cubic meter.
temp needs to be 73 deg +/- 3 deg and humidity 50% +/- 10%
Room will have painted steel walls and probably the same for ceiling tiles.
Any suggestions on HVAC equipment to handle this room?





RE: Low VOC Environmental Room
If you need a new AHU, you'd probably do fine with 1,000 cfm and a good positive pressure, maybe returning 700 cfm. A VOC free air intake would be away from roofing tar and exhausts and the AHU might be equipped with carbon filtration.
(One note - if the wall exposure is on the sunny side, you might go with 1,500 cfm supply and 1,200 return. You should probably do a load calc. as it could vary quite a bit w/glazing, etc.)
If you have new paint, caulk, etc. you might also consider a good, high temperature bake-out period followed by TVOC sampling prior to use.
RE: Low VOC Environmental Room
RE: Low VOC Environmental Room