ABSTRACT
This chapter starts with the lowest limits for ventilation based on human physiology as an introduction to the ventilation required by building codes. An HVAC system is virtually required for any institutional, commercial, and enclosed manufacturing building to meet the ASHRAE 62.1 and building code requirements described. It defines the main components of an HVAC system and their functions. A building's general ventilation system should be of some concern to an industrial hygienist even if it is not used for dilution control of airborne chemicals released by some production process. In addition to providing the reader with an array of tools for estimating the contaminant generation rate, the conclusion to be drawn from this section is the limitation for general ventilation to dilute occupational uses of volatile chemicals. The guideline for humidity in ASHRAE 55-199257 was dropped from inclusion in ASHRAE 55-2004.
