← Smart Buildings Studio
🫁

CO2 Ventilation Rate (ASHRAE 62.1)

Ventilation Rate Procedure · DCV CO₂ Setpoint

When to use: Use to size minimum outdoor air for a zone with the ASHRAE 62.1 Ventilation Rate Procedure: Vbz = Rp·Pz + Ra·Az, combining a per-person rate (Rp) and a per-area rate (Ra) from the space type. For demand-controlled ventilation (DCV), the steady-state indoor CO₂ at the design per-person airflow is Css = Cout + N·10⁶ / Vp, where N is the per-person CO₂ generation (≈0.0084 cfm sedentary) and Vp is the per-person breathing-zone airflow (Rp). Keep the equilibrium CO₂ near ~1000 ppm (≈ Cout + 700) so DCV ramps outdoor air before occupants notice stuffiness.

Zone Parameters
ppl
ft²
default 400
ppm
cfm/p
cfm/ft²
sedentary 0.0084
cfm/p
OA Breakdown
200
People Rp·Pz (cfm)
300
Area Ra·Az (cfm)
✗ UNDER-VENTILATED
500
Required Outdoor Air Vbz (cfm)
Results
Required OA Vbz500 cfm
People component Rp·Pz200 cfm
Area component Ra·Az300 cfm
OA per person12.5 cfm/p
DCV CO₂ setpoint2080 ppm ✗ >1500
Rates Rp / Ra5.00 / 0.06
References
ASHRAE 62.1 — Ventilation Rate Procedure
Vbz = Rp·Pz + Ra·Az
DCV: Css = Cout + N·10⁶ / Vp
CO2 generation ≈ 0.0084 cfm/person (sedentary)