Ventilation removes stale and contaminated air from your interior spaces. It is essential in many commercial buildings and facilities, especially those that deal with heat, oil, and foul odors. It is crucial for the occupants of these spaces because they will need to function without hazardous particles that could put them in danger.
Due to the variations in ventilation systems, you might wonder if you can use a particular type for another application. Is it a wise choice to substitute one for the other? Can you use two systems at once to maximize performance? Let’s explore if you can incorporate bathroom vents with smoke vents for your building.
What is Ventilation?
Ventilation is the means of controlling an indoor space by managing its airflow. You can achieve this by using an air conditioner and temperature, installing roof hatches that allow air to rise, or even integrating biomimicry designs to improve how air flows into your building.
Bathroom vs. Smoke Vents
When you have something built for a specific purpose, it gains something while also losing some. So, what makes bathroom vents and smoke vents different?
Bathroom Vents: It is a ventilation system that enables a flexible tube or metallic duct to expel indoor air to the outside. A bathroom vent fan will remove moisture and odors, making the air quality better. Installing one is not only a brilliant idea; many building codes now demand it for new building projects or significant bathroom remodeling projects.
Smoke Vents: It is a ventilation system that you can find in many kitchens or industrial facilities mainly designed to handle grease, oil, and of course, smoke. Its function is to rid the space of excess heat and hazardous particulates for any person working in the area. The vents are typically large and would often require powerful fans.
In comparison, bathroom vents are typically for removing moisture and excess humidity. It has less powerful fans than smoke vents which generally have larger ones. The smoke vents require significantly larger vent doors and sizable, more powerful fans to expel vast amounts of hazardous particulates safely.
Can You Incorporate Them?
It would not be wise to use a product specifically designed to handle a function or replace it with an alternative that could deliver subpar performance. Bathroom vents are not suitable for where you need to have smoke vents. You might think that you can use one for the other, but they have different uses and applications, and it’s best for you to utilize them for their intended use.
Regulations and Guidelines
Vents are requirements for commercial and industrial structures. Local regulations and guidelines would require companies or building owners to ensure that their ventilation system is in working order. OSHA is one regulating body that sets the procedures regarding ventilation standards.
Depending on your setting, you will need to follow a different approach to managing your building or facility’s airflow. However, you must comply with the rules set by your local government that have jurisdiction regarding your ventilation system.
The Takeaway
No matter what type of ventilation you utilize for your setting, you will need expert advice. For this reason, you’ll need a competent licensed professional who can offer valuable insights for the best fit that you can use, especially for your unique situation. They can guide you better and ensure that you select the most optimal choice.