Page 62 - OHS, June 2021

HEAT STRESS
Heat stress can present itself in a variety of ways, and while some are less severe, they are all potentially dangerous.
isn’t always practical due to cost considerations and building configurations. With or without air-conditioning, though, most heat stress-prone facilities will benefit immensely from HVLS fans.
Although smaller, floor-mounted fans can be helpful in limited spaces, their high wind speed and noise levels may cause problems. They also use a relatively high amount of electricity. HVLS fans, on the other hand, use relatively little energy and provide a gentle, quiet breeze that is very comforting to workers.
According to ASHRAE calculations, studies have shown that the use of an HVLS fan in combination with an air conditioning
system can decrease the effffective temperature between 10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit without lowering the thermostat. A similar cooling effffect occurs in facilities that don’t have air conditioning systems.
A technically advanced HVLS fan can move large volumes of air up to 31,000 square feet and replace as many as 10 to 20 floor fans. By mixing air, HVLS fans also help air-conditioning systems work more efficiently, allowing them to be operated at a set point up to four degrees higher.
Enhancing Air Flow with Fabric Ductwork
Fabric ductwork/diffuser systems use air-porous and/or strategic vents to diffuse air evenly across the entire length of the ductwork system. This full-length diffusion eliminates the hot and cold spots created by localized diffusers in traditional metal ductwork systems, which may be placed many feet apart. Conventional metal systems with high-volume diffusers also suffer significant performance differences from heating to cooling, due to buoyancy and volume changes.
Fabric duct systems are also a relatively low-cost option as compared to traditional metal systems. The lightweight and flexibility of their fabric makes them easier (and therefore, less expensive) to ship than metal ductwork, as well as less time-intensive to install. They’re also easy to clean and can offer 360 degrees of air dispersion, allowing for more efficient cooling of a space.
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58 Occupational Health & Safety
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JUNE 2021
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