DE-93-18-4 -- Determining Fume Hood Diversity Factors PDF

The diversity factor is a viable concept in designing variable-air-volume (VAV) systems for laboratories. It is a feature that is used when designing the mechanical system of a building, such as chillers, cooling towers, pumps, air handling units, ductwork, and ceiling space, to accommodate the mechanical distribution system. Diversity is a valuable means of downsizing the VAV system in order to make it more competitive with a constant-volume system in first cost and operative cost. A survey was initiated to gather field data and provide an analysis in determining a "diversity factor" for fume hood use in six major buildings on a university campus. This diversity factor is a number determined from questionnaires that were filled-out by each fume hood user. When diversity has been practically determined, cost savings can be realised in the design of laboratory variable-air-volume systems, and the institution design team will become more committed to variable air volume rather than eliminating it due to budgetary constraints.

KEYWORDS: exhaust hoods, designing, variable volume air conditioning, laboratories, buildings, costs, economics, questionnaires, surveys.