Overview

In order to improve airflow, humidity and pressurization conditions at their 400,000+ sf Snyder’s of Hanover plant, Campbells engaged Entech to perform a study of the entire plant’s air distribution systems. Pinpointing infiltration and identifying a pressurization strategy was essential to help Campbell’s address concerns.

The study identified building envelope, HVAC, and controls deficiencies that are causing or contributing to indoor air issues and provided recommended actions to correct deficiencies across 16 zones within the facility. The recommendations provided Campbell’s with a road map of prioritized actions to regulate pressure, control humidity, and maintain desired temperature set points.

No building, regardless of age is perfectly sealed from the outside elements. Small cracks, gaps, and openings in a building envelope, tend to expand with age, increasing the impact of building pressurization. Humidity and condensation issues add to the complexity of achieving optimal control of airflow and pressurization.

The study focused on airflow and pressurization throughout plant, with additional review of specific locations where humidity and condensation issues were identified.

Entech was tasked to gather and organize the existing heating, cooling, ventilation, and exhaust system/equipment information. This data, along with stakeholder observations and communications with Campbell’s team, was used to diagram the airflows for each zone, create airflow models and provide a detailed report of the findings. We also provided recommendations to modify operations and/or equipment to optimize control of airflow and pressurization.

Areas evaluated included production, office, packaging, warehouse, food storage and control room spaces. In certain processing areas, the preparation of the food products themselves added to the increased humidity and condensation levels. The study took into consideration the negative and positive pressure in each area and how seasonal changes would affect each zone.

The study provided Campbell’s with valuable data to remedy airflow and pressurization within their facility including cost effective, energy efficient options to provide both improved air quality and long-term savings.