Handbook for Process Safety in Laboratories and Pilot Plants

15 Ventilation Controls

This chapter is intended to provide general guidance on ventilation system design considerations and operation. It provides references to many relevant standards and guidance documents for design, operation and maintenance of such systems. Several examples of systems for specific applications for highly toxic materials are also provided.

15.1 Ventilation Systems

One of the key aspects of safety in any laboratory or pilot plant area is to prevent the buildup of flammable or toxic materials. Both laboratories and pilot plants can generate vapors. Exhaust ventilation is a factor in the safe operation of either area. It helps remove the potential hazard due to a potential concentration buildup over time. Ventilation is designed to help keep flammable vapors below the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) or toxic gas concentrations at acceptable exposure levels.

The leakage from a laboratory or pilot plant operation is not too small to create a hazard. Even a very small leak of a hazardous material can, over time, develop into a potentially toxic, flammable, explosive or asphyxiating atmosphere.

15.1.1 Laboratory Ventilation Design Guidance

Air flows in a pilot plant or laboratory should be designed to pass through the area. For example, having the supply air for a pilot plant bay enter along one wall and be exhausted at the opposite wall. Or for laboratories, have their supply brought in and distributed across the room and then exhaust out the opposite side.