The importance of the ventilation component of a condominium is often overlooked. Inadequate air replenishment can lead to a series of problems such as the following:
The ventilation component of the mechanical design of a condominium serves three purposes:
1. To boost the exhaust of the dryer, because of longer duct runs and greater resistance.
The dryer exhaust system in a condominium rarely exhausts directly to the outside. Most dryers have a limited length of ducting that is allow on the discharge exhaust. The duct lengths in most suites exceed the limitations of the dryer’s design parameters, therefore a booster fan is installed to aid in the additional distance needed to travel
2. To ventilate, or exhaust, food odours, humidity, smoke, and stale air.
The ventilation or exhaust systems, in most condominiums, are mechanically controlled. That means there is a motor and fan that is turned on, and draws the air out of the suite. Sometimes, these exhaust fans work a combination of rooms, like a bathroom and the laundry room, or a bathroom and a kitchen. It is important that these fans be turned on when required
3. To allow fresh air to be introduced into the suite via the corridor supply.
The exhaust system plays an integral part in the supply of fresh air into the suite. The make-up air units, on the roof, introduce fresh air into the building through the corridor system. The pressurized corridors, in turn, supply fresh air into the suites. If there were no exhaust air discharges in the suites, then, because of pressurization, no air would enter the suites. It would be like blowing up a balloon to its maximum size. If it wasn’t allowed to burst; you couldn’t force any more air into it.
Therefore, it is important for the exhaust system to be restriction free. This allows for an adequate transfer of air; expelling stale air and introducing fresh air.
On occasion, suite owners will attempt to weather-strip the suite’s front door frame. Sealing the framework is not advised because it isolates the suite from the fresh air supply. The air ‘leaking’ into the suite is intentional, and a design requirement.
Climanetics Inc. provides complete Dryer Exhaust and Ventilation Maintenance programs. Learn more by downloading our Dryer Maintenance Systems, Climanetics Inc.
To provide a quotation, a site inspection of the condominium will be required. The orientation of the laundry room, as well as access, and dryer type (stacked or side-by-side), will also be considered in the quotation.
Climanetics Inc. recommends that the duct cleaning be done as a complete system. The cleaning will incorporate the dismantling of the dryer, the lint screen, the exhaust fan housing, and all associated duct work connected from the dryer to the exterior of the building.
Kudos to Han and Climanetics for providing such good customer service and have such competent experience staff. By the way, your receptionists were also very friendly.
Keep up the good work.
Dennis Lai
We have written an educational guide for property managers for Condominium In-suite Dryer Exhaust and Ventilation Maintenance.
Additional guides that you may also request are as follows:
