The three main purposes of ventilation are to provide fresh air, remove harmful contaminants and control temperature and humidity. These goals apply to offices, factories and, most critically, tunnels and underground mines. A ventilation system that achieves these three purposes helps protect worker health, ensure safety and maintain reliable operation of equipment.
The first purpose is to provide fresh air and oxygen. People working in enclosed spaces need a continuous supply of breathable air. In underground mining, fresh intake air must travel from shafts or adits through roadways and headings to reach every workplace. In industrial buildings, outdoor air is introduced through supply fans or natural openings to avoid the build-up of carbon dioxide and stale air. Without adequate fresh air, workers can experience fatigue, headaches, reduced concentration and, in the worst case, serious health risks.
The second purpose is to remove harmful contaminants. Many industrial and mining processes produce gases, vapours, dust, fumes and smoke. Diesel equipment emits exhaust gases; blasting produces fumes and fine particles; crushing and conveying generate dust; welding and painting release fumes and solvents. Ventilation must dilute and carry away these contaminants so that their concentrations remain below regulatory exposure limits and do not create explosive atmospheres. Local exhaust systems, scrubbers and dust collectors often work together with general ventilation to achieve this purpose.
The third purpose is to control temperature and humidity. Machinery, lighting, chemical reactions and geological heat all generate thermal loads. In underground mines, rock temperature and depth can create very hot conditions, while humidity may be high. Industrial ventilation systems move heat away from people and equipment, sometimes working together with cooling coils, evaporative coolers or refrigeration systems. By controlling temperature and moisture, ventilation reduces the risk of heat stress, protects electrical equipment and prevents condensation, corrosion and mould growth.
When designing or assessing a ventilation system for an industrial plant or mine, it is important to consider all three purposes together. A system that supplies fresh air but does not control dust or heat adequately may still fail to protect workers and equipment. Successful ventilation provides enough oxygen, keeps contaminants at safe levels and maintains comfortable, stable thermal conditions throughout the working environment.
