Inlet and exhaust air to the basement generator room

Why should a generator room be ventilated?

Proper ventilation of the generator room is necessary to support the engine combustion process, reject the parasitic heat generated during operation (engine heat, alternator heat, etc.), and purge odors and fumes.

Where should exhaust air be sourced for a generator?

For generators with remote radiators, it is recommended that the exhaust air should be sourced as high as possible and directly above the generator sets. Significant bypass of ventilation airflow directly into the discharge airflow will lead to reduction in cooling effectiveness and elevated temperatures within the room.

Does a generator need ventilation?

Large generators, configured with an air inlet positioned high on the generator, will require an additional source of ventilation air. If Ventilation Type 1 or Type 2 is not feasible, an alternative is Type 3; however, this routing configuration will require approximately 50% more airflow than Type 1.

Where should a generator be located?

Due to site constraints, the generator sets had to be housed within the building near grade level. A simple solution was to locate ventilation air louvers, radiator-discharge louvers, and flue exhaust on the same side of the building.

What should a generator room look like?

The generator room should be clean, dry, well-lit, well-ventilated. Care must be taken to ensure heat, smoke, oil vapor, engine exhaust fumes, and other emission do not enter into the room. Insulating materials used in the room should be of the non-flammable/flame retardant class.

Why do genset rooms need ventilation?

Ventilation of the genset room has two main purposes. They are to ensure that the life-cycle of the genset does not shorten by operating it correctly and to provide an environment for the maintenance/operation personnel so they can work comfortably. In the genset room, right after the start, an air circulation begins due to the radiator fan.