Last week we covered Spring Cleaning for barn curtains – what needs to be checked and put into place during the warm months when curtains aren’t really used. While inspecting, it would be advantageous to take a brief look at the ventilation systems apart from the external curtains. Whether you already have one installed or not, assessing your needs is never a bad idea.
Types of Internal Ventilation
The most common type of ventilation is positive-pressure systems, which use wall-mounted fans to push fresh air into a barn through ducting attached to the ceiling. This duct is created specifically to disperse the air where it’s needed (through duct dimensions, vent hold placement, and duct end types). Lay-flat plenums, or ducts that have no internal support systems, collapse when not in use. This makes them light weight, and easy to install.
Ducting is attached using two methods – through a grommet flap or series of snap clips. The grommet flap is a piece of material that has evenly-spaced grommets along the length. Ropes or lines are run through these grommets, and are used to attach the vent to whatever support system is deemed the best. Similarly, the flap can have snap clips that quickly attach to lines installed along the roof of the barn. This is the easiest to replace and install.
Reasons for Ducting
Barns used for raising young livestock are the primary focus of internal barn ventilation. Depending on the animals’ ages and types, different amounts of air need directed to different areas at different times. That’s a lot of differences! Whatever kind of animal you are raising, ventilation ducting can provide cycling air flow that doesn’t create harsh drafts that can lead to colds, diseases, and infections. They can also increase natural air circulation during warmer weather when most barns have open sides.
Taking Ventilation to the Next Level
If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing it right. Just as every barn isn’t built by the same person, and each barn has a unique layout of pens and walkways even if built by the same person, no two ventilation systems will work the same in different buildings. Depending on your barn dimensions, optimal ventilation is something that can be calculated on a case-by-case basis. Jamie Dues, Celina’s Positive Pressure Tube Ventilation Specialist, has undergone extensive training and is one of two consultants in the Celina area.
Contact us at 419-586-3610 ext.123, and talk with Jamie to get exactly the kind of ventilation you need. Combining the barn dimensions with the required duct diameters and vent-hole locations, we can create the optimal system for your needs. Contact us today!