Generator room ventilation
Generator room ventilation
(OP)
Hello everyone,
I was looking for requirements on ventilating a generator room. Does it have to only be naturally ventilated?
I've looked at NFPA 110 (2008) but it seems ambiguous.
I was looking for requirements on ventilating a generator room. Does it have to only be naturally ventilated?
I've looked at NFPA 110 (2008) but it seems ambiguous.





RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
Because one of the concerns is that if we're using a cooling coil and if it failed at the same time that the generator was required, then you'd end up with inadequate cooling and so we're trying to see if there is any code requirement mandating only the use of OA dampers to condition the generator room.
RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
Thanks chicopee and willard3 for your advice.
RE: Generator room ventilation
The definitions section of NFPA 110 says for words that aren't specifically defined in the standard use the common dictionary definition.
The common dictionary definition for "ventilation" is "provide fresh air from outside".
So, yes it has to be only natural ventilation.
RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
ventilation does not mean natural ventilation in our trade, you should not go by what the dictionary says, but by how your industry defines the word ventilation, i.e. as defined by IMC, not by the webster.
IMC defines Ventilation as follows:
Ventilation is defined as the Natural or Mechanical process of supplying air.
Ventilation Air is defined as the portion of any supply air that comes from outside plus any recirculated air.
Use exhaust fan with Outdoor intake with filters, dampers, thermostat, the classic ventilation, account for combustion air. That's it.
RE: Generator room ventilation
NFPA 110 explicitly tells you to look it up in the dictionary.
RE: Generator room ventilation
Nope, allow me to disagree.
NFPA 110 is not one of the referenced standards in IMC. We design per code. The code is IMC, not NFPA 110.
NFPA is a guideline unless referenced by IMC.
and I agree with IMC for the Ventilation definition, not with NFPA 110.
AND, if you read your quoted text correctly, it says "ordinarily accepted meanings within the context they are used" - What NFPA is saying in the quoted text is that when NO specific definition is known, then you rely on the dictionary. But there is a Known definition as defined in IMC.
I love it, we talk like lawyers.
RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/sdetail.asp
check the emergency gen set detail from the same site below, this one has a radiator indoor, just edit to suit the remote radiator application. The remote radiator application is actually much simpler.
http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/sDetail/Div23HVACSteam/S...
317069: gen set manufacturers do not issue installation details, they just issue air flow requirements.
RE: Generator room ventilation
air flow of what?
RE: Generator room ventilation
air flow for radiator (when radiator part of gen set), combustion air flow, alternator cooling air flow.
RE: Generator room ventilation
Young engineers are happy with grandpa gift.
also, didn't Caterpillar give you installation details such as clearances around generator, ambient temperature, room temperature and condition if it was for indoor application.
RE: Generator room ventilation
IMC defines "Ventilation" as "The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or removing such air from, any space."
And "Ventilation Air" as "That portion of supply air that comes from the outside (outdoors), plus any recirculated air that has been treated to maintain the desired quality of air within a designated space."
Furthermore, IMC does not specifically define mechanical ventilation, but does define "Natural Ventilation" as "The movement of air into and out of a space through intentionally provided openings, such as windows and doors, or through nonpowered ventilators."
If Natural Ventilation is ventilation using nonpowered means, then Mechanical Ventilation would be the use of fans to force the ventilation air through the designated space.
Doing a word search through NFPA 110, I do not see anywhere specifying that the ventilation air to be either natural or mechanical. Thus I would interpret NFPA 110 to mean that the ventilation air can be either natural or mechanical in nature.
Going back to Sidd20's OP and his question my answer would be no, it does not have to be only naturally ventilated.
RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
RE: Generator room ventilation
IMC may very well govern, check with your local authority having jurisdiction.
RE: Generator room ventilation
You need to talk to your generator supplier to confirm the heat that the generator radiates into the room, determine the maximum temperature you can allow in the room, your design ambient temperature and then calculate the air flow. Plus you need to make allowance for combustion air which won't be as large, but is not insignificant either.
The next issue will be acoustics and large airflows need large attenuators!
RE: Generator room ventilation