Electrical Connection Spring 2016

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52 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON S PR I NG 20 1 6
example, a small bathroom that is 2.2m
x 2.2m x 2.4m is 11.6m3 so would require
a fan that is designed for a room volume
greater than 12m3.
Bathrooms with high ceilings, are larger
than average or have an open shower may
all require additional ventilation.
To ensure adequate ventilation, include
in your calculations spaces that flow
directly into the bathroom, such as open
plan bedrooms, laundries or walk in robes.
Remember to always round up when
calculating the room volume.
After that has been determined,
you have to calculate the ventilation
performance requirements.
Do so by multiplying the room volume
by the recommended air changes per hour
for that room. Always use the higher limit.
The result is the total performance
required in cubic metres per hour. So, a
bathroomwith shower (which requires
15-20 air changes per hour) that is 12m3
needs 240m3/hr.
Now that you know the performance
requirement of your ventilation
product, use the conversion table and
comparison chart (Figures 2 and 3) to
work out the right exhaust fan and
convert different measurements.
“To make this process easier, IXL has put
an easy-to-use calculator on its website,
in a section called ‘Help me choose’,”
Libby says.
“All you need to do is punch in type of
room (e.g. bathroom, laundry, etc) and
the room’s dimensions, and it will tell you
the capacity you need.”
Libby says this then goes hand-in-
hand with placement.
“Three-in-one units are ideally
installed directly above the area where
you dry yourself after showering, not
above the shower itself. And they work
by drawing steam-laden air from the
room so it is essential that sufficient air
inlets exist through windows, vents or
under doors,” she says.
“New homes that carry a 5-star rating
are often so well sealed that the fans
don’t work very well because there is
no airflow coming into the bathroom.
They’re going to cause negative pressure
if the window or door isn’t open a little
bit. You need that extra airflow so it can
draw the air up and out.
“Sparkies need to know this so they
can let customers know how to use
them properly. They also need to pull
ducting taught. If you’re not doing
that, performance is hugely impacted.
Because the ducting is foil, it can collapse
in on itself if not installed properly. Being
taught will ensure there is no way the air
will get trapped. And it needs to be as
straight as possible – so avoid bends.”
It’s not just bathrooms that can
benefit from a properly installed heat,
light and ventilation unit. In fact, Libby
says, IXL Appliances will be releasing
some new Tastic products later this year
for new applications.
“For example, keep an eye out for
some new outdoor products that are
coming at the end of the year. I can’t
say much more at the moment, but it’s
very exciting.
“At IXL, we are always looking at
new applications for our Tastics, so
stay tuned.”
> IXLAppliances
DRYINGOFF INTHE LAUNDRY
Heat, light and ventilation are often found
at the bottom of the list when it comes
to creating a practical environment for
laundry day. But damp clothes, dryers
filling the room with humid air and even
a lack of windows can all mean this vital
engine room of the home often suffers.
If a laundry has a dryer, you can combat
the humidity with a Ventair 250 exhaust or
the Classic Tastic Silhouette 3-in-1 to keep
the room ventilated and free from damp
odours.
For laundries that are dryer-free, and
therefore less prone to trapped humid air,
the Tastic Neo Vent n Lite Module is an
ideal solution.
If you’re not quite sure how to best
meet your customer’s laundry ventilation
needs, IXL offers a handy ‘Help me Choose’
online tool to remove the guess work for
you. Simply calculate your extraction
requirements in two easy steps on the IXL
website – first, choose the type of room,
such as a laundry with a dryer or a laundry
without a dryer, then add the room’s
dimensions to see which appliance will
meet your requirements.
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
150
140 10325, 10326
10363, 10324
10310, 10320
10380
130
120
110
100
10
m3/hr l/s cfm
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
300
320
280
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
20
40
60
80
0
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 2
Convert from x or ÷ by Convert to
l/s - Litres per second x 2.119 cfm - Cubic feet per minute
l/s - Litres per second x 3.6 m3/h - Cubic metres per hour
l/m - Litres per minute x 0.0353 cfm - Cubic feet per minute
m³/h - Cubic metres per hour x 0.5885 cfm - Cubic feet per minute
m³/h - Cubic metres per hour ÷ 3.6 l/s - Litres per second
cfm - Cubic feet per minute x 1.699 m³/h - Cubic metres per hour
cfm - Cubic feet per minute x 0.4719 l/s - Litres per second
cfm - Cubic feet per minute x 28.316 l/min - Litres per minute