Air Change Cfm Calculator

The rate at which air is exchanged (in the premises) represents another method of measuring ventilation capacity & effectiveness. Air exchange rate is typically expressed in Air Changes per Hour – “ACH”. Air changes per hour can be estimated by determining the total air supplied to, and removed from, the premises “total air exchange” or the outdoor (fresh) air supplied to, and removed from, the premises “outdoor air exchange”.

This table provides suggested air changes per hour (ACH) under normal conditions based on good experince.

Assembly rooms

4 – 8

Hairdressing salons

10 – 15

Bakeries

20 – 30

Hospitals – sterilizing

15 – 25

Banks/Building Societies

4 – 8

Hospitals – wards

6 – 8

Bathrooms

6 – 10

Kitchens – domestic

15 – 20

Bedrooms

2 – 4

Kitchens # – commercial

30 minimum

Billiard Rooms *

6 – 8

Laboratories

6 – 15

Boiler Rooms

15 – 30

Launderettes/Laundromats

10 – 15

Cafes and coffee bars

10 – 12

Laundries

10 – 30

Canteens

8 – 12

Lavatories

6 – 15

Cellars

3 – 10

Lecture theaters

5 – 8

Changing Rooms Main area

6 – 10

Libraries

3 – 5

Changing Rooms Shower area

15 – 20

Living rooms

3 – 6

Churches

1 – 3

Mushroom houses

6 – 10

Cinemas & theatres *

10 – 15

Offices

6 – 10

Club rooms

12 minimum

Paint shops (not cellulose)

10 – 20

Compressor rooms

10 – 20

Photo & X-ray darkrooms

10 – 15

Conference rooms

8 – 12

Public house bars

12 minimum

Dairies

8 – 10

Recording control rooms

15 – 25

Dance halls

12 minimum

Recording studios

10 – 12

Dental surgeries

12 – 15

Restaurants

8 – 12

Dye works

20 – 30

Schoolrooms

5 – 7

Electroplating shops

10 – 12

Shops and supermarkets

8 – 15

Engine rooms

15 – 30

Shower baths

15 – 20

Entrance halls & corridors

3 – 5

Stores & warehouses

3 – 6

Factories and workshops

8 – 10

Squash courts

4 minimum

Foundries

15 – 30

Swimming baths

10 – 15

Garages

6 – 8

Toilets

6 – 10

Glasshouses

25 – 60

Utility rooms

15 – 20

Gymnasiums

6 minimum

Welding shops

15 – 30

*Increase by 50% where heavy smoking occurs or if the room is underground.

#Some commercial kitchens may require higher ventilation rates, based on cooking equipment in use.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS