Commercial Bathroom Exhaust Fan Requirements

Ventilation in schools offices and commercial buildings.

Commercial bathroom exhaust fan requirements.

50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous operation 2006 irc 303 3x. May be continuous or intermittent occupant controlled with prescribed rates e clothes dryers must be vented to the outside or condensing dryers plumbed to a drain. The illustration above demonstrates the use of a ceiling exhaust fan mounted in the rest room exhausting the stale air. Damaged bathroom window trim.

Some signs of excessive uncontrolled bathroom moisture include. We have bathroom fans and bathroom fan accessories including replacement fluorescent and halogen light bulbs plus bath fan upgrade kits that can reduce sound levels and boost air movement compared to older. This exhaust air can be routed either to the roof using ductwork and a roof vent or to the side of your building using ductwork and a hooded wall vent. Exhaust fan must be strong enough to restore the bathroom with fresh air every 7 1 2 minutes or 8 times an hour.

Surprisingly bathroom fans are not required by some building codes. A fan that is too small will not effectively remove moisture from the room. A commercial restroom will require air to be changed 8 12 times an hour depending on the size of the facility and your local code. All municipalities have different requirements but some do not draw a hard line on requiring exhaust fans.

Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust air outdoors and remove contaminants directly from the room where the fan is located also increase the outdoor air ventilation rate. Mechanical exhaust is required and recirculation is prohibited except that recirculation shall be permitted where the resulting supply airstream consists of not more than 10 percent air recirculated from these spaces see section 403 2 1 items 2 and 4. This can lead to serious problems including warped cabinetry fogged mirrors mold and or mildew growth. Bathroom fans are rated like other types of exhaust fan by the amount of air movement or cfm they produce.

Every bathroom requires an openable window that provides at least 1 5 square ft of air flow area when open 2006 irc 303 3 or mechanical type ventilation. Exhaust required in each kitchen and bathroom. Learn more about indoor air in homes and coronavirus covid 19. Choose from a variety of exhaust fans fans with built in lights fan heater combinations and bathroom fan housing kits for contractors.

In those areas ventilation in bathrooms is required but it can be from a window or fan your choice. Stains thermal tracking or mold growth on bathroom walls and ceilings possibly also on bath vanities and cabinets. This is the industry standard.