{"id":56804,"date":"2015-11-30T18:03:59","date_gmt":"2015-11-30T16:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wpcalc.com\/?p=56804"},"modified":"2026-09-30T18:42:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:42:55","slug":"ventilation-in-the-number-of-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/ventilation-in-the-number-of-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Ventilation per Number of People Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Occupant-Based Ventilation Requirement<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"56804\" data-favorite-title=\"Ventilation per Number of People\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/ventilation-in-the-number-of-people\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Estimate the required ventilation airflow from the number of people in a room and their activity level. Enter the occupant count, pick an activity level, and get the airflow in m\u00b3\/h.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-ventilation\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/ventilation-in-the-number-of-people\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-56804\" data-post=\"56804\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">The number of people in the room<\/label><input type=\"number\" name=\"the_number_of_people_in_the_room\" id=\"field-1\" placeholder=\"People\" step=\"any\" value=\"5\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-2\">Activity level<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-2\" name=\"activity_level\"><option value=\"20\">Quiet condition<\/option><option value=\"40\">Moderate activity<\/option><option value=\"60\">Physical activities<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"56804\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your Results<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Required performance:<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"56804\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Ventilation per Number of People Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[ Q = P \\cdot R \\]\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(Q\\) \u2014 required airflow (m\u00b3\/h)<\/li>\n<li>\\(P\\) \u2014 number of people in the room<\/li>\n<li>\\(R\\) \u2014 recommended airflow per person (m\u00b3\/h), depending on activity level<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The formula multiplies the number of occupants by the air supply rate recommended for their level of activity. The result is the total fresh airflow the ventilation system must deliver to the room.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Ventilation per Number of People \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> a small office room is occupied by 5 people doing light, quiet work such as reading or working at a desk.<\/p>\n<p>\\[ Q = 5 \\times 20 = 100 \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> the required ventilation performance is <strong>100 m\u00b3\/h<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to Use the Calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Enter <strong>The number of people in the room<\/strong> \u2014 the maximum number of occupants expected at the same time.<\/li>\n<li>Select the <strong>Activity level<\/strong> that best matches what the occupants are doing: <em>Quiet condition<\/em> (20 m\u00b3\/h per person), <em>Moderate activity<\/em> (40 m\u00b3\/h per person), or <em>Physical activities<\/em> (60 m\u00b3\/h per person).<\/li>\n<li>Read the <strong>Required performance<\/strong> \u2014 the total airflow in m\u00b3\/h that the ventilation system should supply to the room.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What Is Ventilation per Number of People?<\/h2>\n<p>Ventilation standards in most countries define the minimum fresh air supply for occupied spaces in one of two ways: per unit of floor area, or per person. The per-person approach is usually the decisive criterion in rooms where occupancy is high relative to floor area \u2014 classrooms, meeting rooms, auditoriums, open-plan offices, gyms, and waiting areas.<\/p>\n<p>The reason is physiological: every occupant continuously consumes oxygen, releases carbon dioxide, water vapor, and body heat, and contributes odor. The more people in a room and the more physically active they are, the faster the air quality degrades. Typical design values range from about 20 m\u00b3\/h per person for sedentary activities up to 60 m\u00b3\/h or more for physical work or exercise, where both CO\u2082 production and heat generation rise sharply.<\/p>\n<p>The result \\(Q\\) represents the volume of fresh air, in cubic meters per hour, that the supply ventilation must deliver so that CO\u2082 concentration and humidity stay within comfortable, healthy limits. If the calculated airflow is higher than the value obtained from an area-based calculation, the per-person figure usually governs the design \u2014 many codes require you to use the larger of the two.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumptions, Limitations and Practical Tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The calculator uses three simplified activity categories (20, 40, and 60 m\u00b3\/h per person). National standards and guidelines such as ASHRAE 62.1 or EN 16798-1 give more granular rates; consult them for formal design work.<\/li>\n<li>The result assumes a steady occupancy count. For rooms with fluctuating occupancy (cinemas, classrooms, open-plan offices), design for the expected peak occupancy, or consider demand-controlled ventilation driven by CO\u2082 sensors.<\/li>\n<li>This calculation only accounts for people. In rooms with additional pollutant sources \u2014 kitchens, laboratories, smoking areas, industrial processes \u2014 source-based airflow requirements may dominate, and the per-person figure alone will not be sufficient.<\/li>\n<li>Exhaust airflow should roughly balance the supply. Local regulations may require slight overpressure or underpressure (e.g., toilets and kitchens under negative pressure), which affects fan sizing.<\/li>\n<li>Once you know the required airflow, you can size the system further: estimate the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/ventilation-2\/\">ventilation power<\/a>, check the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/ventilation\/\">overall ventilation airflow requirement<\/a>, determine the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/number-of-diffusers\/\">number of diffusers<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/number-of-grids\/\">grilles<\/a> needed, and calculate the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/engineering\/the-area-of-a-rectangular-duct\/\">cross-sectional area of rectangular ducts<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estimate the required ventilation airflow from the number of people in a room and their activity level. Enter the occupant count, pick an activity level, and get the airflow in m\u00b3\/h.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[39],"class_list":["post-56804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-engineering","tag-ventilation"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56804"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66029,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56804\/revisions\/66029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}