What is the purpose of dilution ventilation?

Dilution ventilation is a method used to improve air quality by introducing fresh air into a space to lower the concentration of airborne contaminants, including low toxicity vapors. This technique works by diluting the hazardous substances in the air to ensure they remain at safe levels for exposure.

In settings where low toxicity vapors are present, the primary concern is to maintain a healthy environment for workers by decreasing the concentration of these vapors. This is often achieved by designing ventilation systems that bring in a substantial amount of outside air, mixing it with indoor air, and then exhausting the mixture. By effectively lowering the concentration of low toxicity vapors, dilution ventilation contributes significantly to worker safety and comfort.

While controlling high toxicity vapors might be another important aspect of ventilation, it is usually addressed through more specialized methods, like local exhaust ventilation, rather than general dilution ventilation. Enhancing the smell or increasing air temperature do not align with the primary goals of dilution ventilation, which focus on contaminant removal and maintaining safe air quality.