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.