Extra demands are placed on ventilation systems in sports facilities and it’s not just because of any unpleasant odours from occupants physically exerting themselves. Better ventilation is needed because performance athletes need fresh air. And everyone needs air that’s free from potentially harmful chemical contaminants.
At the same time as the ventilation system improves the air quality, it should reduce the energy burden of the complex. This is not only essential for sports facilities to meet sustainability goals in terms of the environment, but also for financial sustainability. Many community sports facilities are underfunded, and without a prudent design approach focused on minimising operational and maintenance costs, they may not survive.
Indoor Air Quality for Healthier Sports Facilities
The role of proper ventilation to control airborne contaminants is widely appreciated and understood, especially post-Covid. But for sports facilities the need for contaminant control is often more pronounced and presents a (potentially) more immediate threat to the facility user.
Chloramines in Indoor Swimming Pools
Strictly speaking, that swimming pool smell doesn’t come from the chlorine used to disinfect the water. It’s actually a result of the chlorine interacting with body proteins (i.e. perspiration, saliva and urine) to produce Chloramine, and it’s the chloramine that smells. The World Health Organisation recommends that chloramine concentration in the air is kept under 0.5mg/m³ to prevent excessive levels of eye and skin irritation, even respiratory irritation. It should also be noted that Chlormine can accelerate corrosion so better ventilation can help prolong the life of the facility structure itself.
Removing Airborne Pollutants
Like any large, open space, sports facilities can harbour a range of pollutants. This includes dust, allergens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). All can present a health risk, especially in an environment where occupants have an increased need to inhale more frequently and more deeply.
Reducing the Spread of Infection
Many infectious diseases are airborne and can be spread easily, particularly in sports facilities where occupants expel any infected breath with more velocity than is normal, meaning any nasties in the air are dispersed over a greater area.
Managing Humidity
Balancing the outside temperature with the internal temperature, particularly in case of swimming pools where there is a water mass to be heated, can lead to excessive humidity. In turn, this can lead to greater discomfort for occupants and accelerated mould growth. Fresh air from ventilation is needed to remedy both.
Indoor Air Quality for Better Athletic Performance
The majority of sports facility users are trying to improve themselves in some way. For every athlete vying for the olympics and applying the marginal gains theory for incremental growth, there is a Mum or Dad trying to push themselves a little harder. Both need clean air to reach their goals.
Improving Oxygen Intake
During physical activity, the athlete (or regular joe) needs an increased supply of oxygen to fuel their muscles. Only with proper ventilation can athletes improve their endurance and resist fatigue for longer. An adequate level of fresh air is therefore essential for athletic performance
Improving Recovery and Injury Risk Levels
Exercising produces a number of metabolic waste products, such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid and heat. Poor ventilation inhibits the efficient removal of these waste products and can prevent sports facility users from regulating their core body temperature. Such an environment presents a greater risk of injury and prolongs the recovery process. Good ventilation is a simple and effective way to solve this.
Improving Cognitive Function
Fresh air really does help clear the mind and keep people alert. The effect of proper ventilation in workplace productivity is well documented and the same effect is present in sports facilities. The introduction of sufficient fresh air helps occupants stay alert, make the right decisions and stay focused. In sports, fresh air can also help improve reaction times and lift the overall performance level.
Saving Energy with Natural Ventilation
Many sports buildings are community facilities characterised by limited funding, often requiring sponsorship from local businesses and fundraising efforts. Where natural ventilation is an option, it can provide a number of ongoing advantages which make both financial and sustainable sense.
Natural ventilation has been shown to reduce the energy burden by up to 40%, when compared to mechanical systems. This presents a significant cost saving from an operational point of view. Additionally, natural ventilation systems will generally require less maintenance and/or repair. Indeed, they will often cost less to purchase and install, less to operate, and less to maintain.
There are sustainability advantages to be had, too. The reduced spend on energy obviously means less energy is being used, which leads to a smaller carbon footprint for the sports facility.
Ventilation Considerations For Sport Facilities
Depending on the purpose, size and location of the facility, there are a number of considerations in determining the perfect ventilation solution.
For example, we offer ventilation louvres with varying degrees or protection against wind-driven rain. The location of the facility needs to be considered to determining the level of weather protection needed or there might be a splash coming from sources other than the swimmer next to you in the pool
The level of desired operability is also important. The ability to open and close ventilation louvres to manage the amount of fresh air is needed for more accurate control of humidity. This is particularly true in swimming pool facilities where the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures can have a marked effect on humidity levels. Having a ventilation louvre configuration, such as in individual bays, is also important for more accurate management of the humidity and pressure. This is the case at Auckland Zoo, where ventilation management in the ‘swamp forest’ is critical to the survival of animals and plants.
In conclusion, natural ventilation in sport facilities is needed for a winning performance; for the facility itself, the people who use it and the community it serves, and the environment overall. To borrow a little from sports theory and ‘the aggregation of marginal gains’, with the right natural ventilation solution, the gains really can add up to a remarkable improvement.
