This represents the draw-through or induced-draft type of ventilation apparatus. The air delivered by the fan induces a flow of outside air which is drawn through the heating coils and discharged through the opening E. At this point it enters the main ventilation duct from which it is distributed by branch conduits throughout the building.
The temperature of the air sent out from the fan is regulated by the steam valves of the heater coils to suit the prevailing conditions. Under some installations of this character the ventilating air is made to furnish the heat necessary to warm the building as well as to provide its air supply. As ordinarily used, however, the temperature of the ventilating air is the same as that of the room.
The method of conveying air to the various apartments depends entirely on local conditions. The conduits may be made of sheet iron, placed to suit the existing conditions; but when a building is constructed with a ventilating plant in view as a part of the building equipment, it is customary to make the ducts part of the partitions. In brick buildings the ducts are constructed, so far as it is practicable, in the walls. These ducts are made in size and arrangement to suit the amount of air required for each room. When the plant is put into operation each duct is tested with an anemometer which indicates the velocity of the entering air. The calculated amount of air, determined by the velocity and area of the entering column, when compared with the necessary quantity demanded for good ventilation, gives the efficiency of the system.
Air Conditioning.
—In addition to the possibility of a constant supply of air, a combination of the exhaust and plenum methods admits of air purification. With such a plant, the air may be washed free from all suspended dust or gases and moistened to any degree of humidity. The process of washing and humidifying air is known as air conditioning. Apparatus for air conditioning is made in a variety of forms to produce any desired extent of air purification and any degree of humidity. The plant may be regulated by hand or it may be made entirely automatic in its action. Air-conditioning plants may be arranged to produce air that is purified, humidified and warmed during winter weather and in summer the hot humid atmosphere may be cooled and dehumidified to a temperature and percentage of moisture that is most agreeable.
Conditioned air is often used in manufactories, not for the purpose of supplying good air to the employees but because of the effect of the atmospheric air on the products. The manufacture of textile fabrics often demands a constant atmospheric humidity in order that the material produced may be uniform in grade; this is particularly true in the making of silks. Various manufactories require an atmosphere free from lint and dust in order that the best quality of material may be produced. The air for ventilation in such places is washed free from all suspended matter before being sent into the building.
In Fig. 173 is indicated an application of apparatus similar in construction to that just described. The arrangement of the parts is such as to produce a Plenum hot-air system of ventilation and temperature regulation.
The plant occupies a room in the basement and the drawing shows the method of heating, together with the plan of distribution. The air duct leading to the room above furnishes an example of the manner of admitting the warmed air to the rooms. The dampers C1, C2, etc., are controlled by separate motors. The motor M is under the control of the thermostat T in the room above. Any change of temperature in the room is corrected by the damper to admit cold or warm air as is desired.
Fig. 173.—Plenum hot-blast heating system with temperature regulation.