Ventilation Assessment

• Site

• Unit Ventilator/AHU No:

• Date and Time of Inspection

  Date

• Inspector (Full Name)

• Location
  Address

OUTDOOR AIR INTAKES

• Marked locations of all outdoor air intakes on a small floor plan (for example, a fire escape floor plan)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that the ventilation system was on and operating in “occupied” mode

  Yes

  No

  N/A

OBSTRUCTIONS

• Ensured that outdoor air intakes are clear of obstructions, debris, clogs, or covers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Installed corrective devices as necessary (e.g., if snowdrifts or leaves frequently block an intake)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

POLLUTANT SOURCES

• Checked ground-level intakes for pollutant sources (dumpsters, loading docks, and bus-idling areas)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Checked rooftop intakes for pollutant sources (plumbing vents; kitchen, toilet, or laboratory exhaust fans; puddles; and mist from air-conditioning cooling towers)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Resolved any problems with pollutant sources located near outdoor air intakes (e.g., relocated dumpster or extended exhaust pipe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

AIRFLOW

• Obtained chemical smoke (or a small piece of tissue paper or light plastic)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Confirmed that outdoor air is entering the intake appropriately

  Yes

  No

  N/A

SYSTEM CLEANLINESS

AIR FILTERS

• Replaced filters per maintenance schedule

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Shut off ventilation system fans while replacing filters (prevents dirt from blowing downstream)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Vacuumed filter areas before installing new filters

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Confirmed proper fit of filters to prevent air from bypassing (flowing around) the air filter

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Confirmed proper installation of filters (correct direction for airflow)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

DRAIN PANS

• Ensured that drain pans slant toward the drain (to prevent water from accumulating)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cleaned drain pans

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Checked drain pans for mold and mildew

  Yes

  No

  N/A

COILS

• Ensured that heating and cooling coils are clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

AIR-HANDLING UNITS, UNIT VENTILATORS

• Ensured that the interior of air-handling unit(s) or unit ventilator (air-mixing chamber and fan blades) is clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that ducts are clean

  Yes

  No

  N/A

MECHANICAL ROOMS

• Checked mechanical room for unsanitary conditions, leaks, and spills

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that mechanical rooms and air-mixing chambers are free of trash, chemical products, and supplies

  Yes

  No

  N/A

CONTROLS FOR OUTDOOR AIR SUPPLY

• Ensured that air dampers are at least partially open (minimum position)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that minimum position provides adequate outdoor air for occupants

  Yes

  No

  N/A

CONTROLS INFORMATION

• Obtained and reviewed all design inside/outside temperature and humidity requirements, controls specifications, as-built mechanical drawings, and controls operations manuals (often uniquely designed)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

CLOCKS, TIMERS, SWITCHES

• Turned summer-winter switches to the correct position

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Set time clocks appropriately

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that settings fit the actual schedule of building use (including night/weekend use)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

CONTROL COMPONENTS

• Ensured appropriate system pressure by testing line pressure at both the occupied (day) setting and the unoccupied (night) setting

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Checked that the line dryer prevents moisture buildup

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Replaced control system filters at the compressor inlet based on the compressor manufacturer’s recommendation (for example, when you blow down the tank)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Set the line pressure at each thermostat and damper actuator at the proper level (no leakage or obstructions)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

OUTDOOR AIR DAMPERS

• Ensured that the outdoor air damper is visible for inspection

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that the recirculating relief and/or exhaust dampers are visible for inspection

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that air temperature in the indoor area(s) served by each outdoor air damper is within the normal operating range

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Checked that the outdoor air damper fully closes within a few minutes of shutting off appropriate air handler

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Checked that the outdoor air damper opens (at least partially with no delay) when the air handler is turned on

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If in heating mode, checked that the outdoor air damper goes to its minimum position (without completely closing) when the room

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• thermostat is set to 85°F

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If in cooling mode, checked that the outdoor air damper goes to its minimum position (without completely closing) when the room thermostat is set to 60°F and mixed air thermostat is set to 45°F

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the outdoor air damper does not move, confirmed the following items:

• • The damper actuator links to the damper shaft, and any linkage set screws or bolts are tight

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• • Moving parts are free of impediments (e.g., rust, corrosion)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• • Electrical wire or pneumatic tubing connects to the damper actuator

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• • The outside air thermostat(s) is functioning properly (e.g., in the right location, calibrated correctly)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

FREEZE STATS

• NOTE: HVAC systems with water coils need protection from the cold. The freeze-stat may close the outdoor air damper and disconnect the supply air when tripped. The typical trip range is 35°F to 42°F.

• Disconnected power to controls (for automatic reset only) to test continuity across terminals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Confirmed (if applicable) that depressing the manual reset button (usually red) trips the freeze stat (clicking sound indicates freeze stat was tripped)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Assessed the feasibility of replacing all manual reset freeze-stats with automatic reset freeze-stats

  Yes

  No

  N/A

MIXED AIR THERMOSTATS

• Ensured that the mixed air stat for heating mode is set no higher than 65°F

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that the mixed air stat for cooling mode is set no lower than the room thermostat setting

  Yes

  No

  N/A

ECONOMIZERS

• Confirmed proper economizer settings based on design specifications or local practices

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NOTE: The dry-bulb is typically set at 65°F or lower.

• Checked that sensor on the economizer is shielded from direct sunlight

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that dampers operate properly (for outside air, return air, exhaust/relief air, and recirculated air), per the design specifications

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NOTE: Economizers use varying amounts of cool outdoor air to assist with the cooling load of the room or rooms. There are two types of economizers, dry-bulb and enthalpy. Dry-bulb economizers vary the amount of outdoor air based on outdoor temperature, and enthalpy economizers vary the amount of outdoor air based on outdoor temperature and humidity level.

FANS

• Ensured that all fans (supply fans and associated return or relief fans) that move outside air indoors continuously operate during occupied hours (even when room thermostat is satisfied)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NOTE: If fan shuts off when the thermostat is satisfied, adjust control cycle as necessary to ensure sufficient outdoor air supply

AIR DISTRIBUTION

• Ensured that supply and return air pathways in the existing ventilation system perform as required

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that passive gravity relief ventilation systems and transfer grilles between rooms and corridors are functioning

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NOTE: If ventilation system is closed or blocked to meet current fire codes, consult with a professional engineer for remedies.

• Made sure every occupied space has supply of outdoor air (mechanical system or operable windows)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that supply and return vents are open and unblocked

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NOTE: If outlets have been blocked intentionally to correct drafts or discomfort, investigate and correct the cause of the discomfort and reopen the vents

• Modified the HVAC system to supply outside air to areas without an outdoor air supply

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Modified existing HVAC systems to incorporate any room or zone layout and population changes

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Moved all barriers (for example, room dividers, large free-standing blackboards or displays, bookshelves) that could block movement of air in the room, especially those blocking air vents

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that unit ventilators are quiet enough to accommodate classroom activities

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensured that classrooms are free of uncomfortable drafts produced by air from supply terminals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

PRESSURIZATION IN BUILDINGS

• NOTE: To prevent infiltration of outdoor pollutants, the ventilation system is designed to maintain positive pressurization in the building. Therefore, ensure that the system, including any exhaust fans, is operating on the “occupied” cycle when doing this activity

• Ensured that air flows out of the building (using chemical smoke) through windows, doors, or other cracks and holes in exterior wall (for example, floor joints, pipe openings)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

EXHAUST SYSTEMS

EXHAUST FAN OPERATION

• Checked (using chemical smoke) that air flows into exhaust fan grille(s)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If fans are running but air is not flowing toward the exhaust intake, check for the following:

• • Inoperable dampers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• • Obstructed, leaky, or disconnected ductwork

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• • Undersized or improperly installed fan

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• • Broken fan belt

  Yes

  No

  N/A

EXHAUST AIRFLOW

• NOTE: Prevent migration of indoor contaminants from areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and labs by keeping them under negative pressure (as compared to surrounding spaces)

• Checked (using chemical smoke) that air is drawn into the room from adjacent spaces

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Stand outside the room with the door slightly open while checking airflow high and low in the door opening

• Ensured that air is flowing toward the exhaust intake

  Yes

  No

  N/A

EXHAUST DUCTWORK

• Checked that the exhaust ductwork downstream of the exhaust fan (which is under positive pressure) is sealed and in good condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

QUANTITY OF OUTDOOR AIR

OUTDOOR AIR MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS

• Measured the quantity of outdoor air supplied to each ventilation unit

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Calculated the number of occupants served by the ventilation unit under consideration

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Divided outdoor air supply by the number of occupants to determine the existing quantity of outdoor air supply per person

  Yes

  No

  N/A

ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF OUTDOOR AIR QUANTITIES

• Compared the existing outdoor air per person to the recommended levels

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Corrected problems with ventilation units that supplied inadequate quantities of outdoor air to ensure that outdoor air quantities meet the recommended levels

  Yes

  No

  N/A

COMPLETION

• Recommendations

• Inspector (Full Name and Signature)

  Sign