Warehousing – Wcsipl

Warehouse HVAC Solutions

Control temperature, humidity & air quality for products and productivity.

HVAC is critical for warehouses because a lot of products are sensitive to temperature, humidity, and dust — and no consumer likes to receive damaged or defective products.

The key functions of an HVAC system in a warehouse are two-fold – maintaining the ambient air temperature or humidity to the desired levels for staff to work effectively and maintaining the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of the space to acceptable standards. ASHRAE 62.1 (2010) lays down the acceptable ventilation rates for warehouses. It is typically 10 cfm/per person but depends on other factors as well such as outside air quality, type of work, etc.

The temperature that is typically maintained in warehouses is around 28°C with a variance of 1–2°C. While no humidity standards are defined for warehouses specifically, the design aims for a humidity range of 55–65%.

Warehouse HVAC Design Segregation

The warehouse HVAC requirements can be segregated into two areas – the stowage section and the non-stowage section. The non-stowage section will cover office areas, restrooms, recreational areas, etc.

Stowage Area HVAC

Most warehouses are single-storey, big-box designs where the stowage racks are positioned. The racks may be 2–3 meters high in smaller warehouses or as high as 20 meters in large, automated warehouses. If there are no grocery or perishable items in the warehouse, then the space is only ventilated and not air-conditioned.

There are three main approaches that designers take to provide ventilation for warehouses:

Ceiling Fans

The most basic approach is to install ceiling fans across the warehouse stacking zone. These fans circulate the air at a constant rate and help maintain an even temperature across the workspace. The cost of operation is low. However, the fans are not very effective in maintaining humidity and do not provide enough comfort during peak summers where ambient temperatures are high in the northern plains where a large number of warehouses are set up. This arrangement is suitable for smaller warehouse setups with low ceiling heights.

Exhaust Fans

When the warehouse stores materials that give off fumes or have Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), then a more effective way to provide good air quality inside the space is to use exhaust fans. These pull out the indoor air and outside air enters through the loading bays or other openings. A factor that needs to be considered is that the quality of outside air may not be good, so filtration may be needed. Also, exhaust fans have a higher noise level which may impact the staff’s productivity. Another difficulty with exhaust fans is that airflow can be restricted due to the stowage systems, resulting in hot and cold spots or inadequate ventilation in many areas. Roof-mounted wind turbines are quite popular in warehouses as they have low operating costs and low noise levels.

HVLS Fans

Where the warehouse floor plate is very large and there is enough height, High Volume, Low Speed (HVLS) fans are used. These fans have large radial diameters and provide a column of air downwards as well as outwards, which helps circulate the air more effectively than ceiling-mounted fans. These fans are also more energy efficient, making operating costs low.

Air Washers

Where ambient temperatures are on the higher side and the products stowed in the warehouse are temperature-sensitive, air washers are used. Outside air is passed over cooling pads and through evaporative cooling, the air temperature reduces.

Non-Stowage Area HVAC

The approach to provide HVAC to non-stowage areas in a warehouse is similar to that of office or recreational space design. Since the spaces are not very large compared to the warehouse, the typical solution is the use of smaller packaged units.

Importance of Ventilation

Ventilation of warehouses is important not only for maintaining desired air quality for the staff working there but also to prevent damage to the products that are stored.

The e-commerce supply chain relies heavily on good-quality warehouses where products can be shipped, sorted for dispatch, and stowed for future use. The staff working in warehouses are mostly blue-collar, but the whole distribution system relies heavily on this staff for stowage, retrieval, and packaging of the products — hence, good ventilation of the space is essential.

With the requirement for warehouses set to increase exponentially, the need for more advanced ventilation systems will arise and will further help in making the supply chain more effective.

Frequently Asked Question

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We’re here to answer any questions you may have.

Why is HVAC important for warehouses?

HVAC systems in warehouses maintain temperature, humidity, and air quality at desired levels to prevent product damage and ensure a healthy working environment for staff.

What are the standard ventilation requirements for warehouses?

According to ASHRAE 62.1 (2010), the acceptable ventilation rate is typically 10 cfm per person, depending on factors like outdoor air quality and work type.

What is the ideal temperature and humidity range for warehouses?

Warehouses typically maintain a temperature of around 28°C with a 1–2°C variance, and humidity levels between 55–65%.

What are common HVAC approaches used in warehouse design?

Depending on the warehouse type and stored materials, systems may include ceiling fans, HVLS fans, exhaust fans, and air washers for effective ventilation and cooling.

What challenges do exhaust fan systems face in large warehouses?

Airflow can be obstructed by storage racks, causing hot/cold spots, and the noise level may impact worker comfort. Proper design and filtration are key to overcoming these issues.

How does HVAC improve warehouse productivity?

Yes. WCSIPL designs and delivers custom-engineered HVAC solutions based on warehouse size, layout, stored materials, and climatic conditions.

Does WCSIPL provide customized HVAC systems for warehouses?

By maintaining consistent air circulation and temperature, HVAC systems create a more comfortable and safe working environment, improving staff efficiency and product preservation.