What is occupancy-based ventilation and how is it typically implemented?

What is occupancy-based ventilation and how is it typically implemented?

• A. Ventilation controlled by manual damper settings
• B. Ventilation tailored to occupancy readings or schedules using sensors; reduces outdoor air when spaces are empty
• C. Ventilation always running at maximum outdoor air
• D. Ventilation based on fixed schedules only

Answer: (B)

Occupancy-based ventilation adjusts the amount of outdoor air delivered to a space based on how many people are present. This is usually implemented as demand-controlled ventilation, where sensors such as CO2 monitors or occupancy detectors feed a building automation system. The controls then modulate the outdoor-air damper (and sometimes the supply fan speed) so more ventilation is provided when spaces are occupied and less when they are empty, while still maintaining a minimum ventilation rate to meet IAQ and code requirements. This approach saves energy by avoiding conditioning outdoor air that isn’t needed, and it dynamically responds to actual occupancy rather than relying on fixed schedules or manual damper settings.

Occupancy-based ventilation adjusts the amount of outdoor air delivered to a space based on how many people are present. This is usually implemented as demand-controlled ventilation, where sensors such as CO2 monitors or occupancy detectors feed a building automation system. The controls then modulate the outdoor-air damper (and sometimes the supply fan speed) so more ventilation is provided when spaces are occupied and less when they are empty, while still maintaining a minimum ventilation rate to meet IAQ and code requirements. This approach saves energy by avoiding conditioning outdoor air that isn’t needed, and it dynamically responds to actual occupancy rather than relying on fixed schedules or manual damper settings.