Ventilation in Parking Garages

We all know the importance of ventilation in our homes and buildings. It’s why harsh chemical cleaners come with labels reminding us to use them in a well-ventilated area. It’s also why building codes were established, especially for structures like parking garages where carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels.

Because carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas found in fumes produced any time fuel is burned (which for parking garages, means it happens when cars, trucks, and small engines run or idle), taking preemptive actions to reduce the amount of CO in your parking garage with proper ventilation and sensors is a smart move.

Ventilation helps to moderate internal temperatures, creates air movement to improve comfort of occupants, and most importantly, reduces the accumulation of moisture, odors, and other gases that can build up during occupied periods, according to Designing Buildings.

In parking garages, ventilation means more than simply opening a window like we might do at home to bring fresh air inside. Instead, the use of exhaust fans, the design of the structure, and other precautions are integrated to ventilate and monitor harmful air pollutants.
Along with the design of the parking garage, the materials used within and on them can assist in protecting patrons from carbon monoxide poisoning. Materials, sensors, and exhaust fans used and spacing required depends on each parking garage and whether it’s considered open or closed.

If a parking garage is not naturally ventilated and open according to the 2015 International Building Code, it must be mechanically ventilated to allow for proper airflow and circulation. Luckily, you can prepare for what kind of ventilation your parking garage needs by understanding the difference up front, doing your research, and understanding your options.

For example, rolling security grilles are an ideal solution to securing parking garages, especially if they lock, and allow for visibility, ventilation, and air flow throughout the facility. Architectural door and grille manufacturer CornellCookson has offered a range of security grilles since the 1970s, providing solutions to protect parking garages from criminals and occupants from carbon monoxide.