Plan ventilation system upfront for successful swine barn project

ASSUMPTION, Ill. — Proper ventilation plays a critical role in providing an ideal environment in swine barns.

Yet many times, it is left to the end of the planning process when designing a new barn or remodeling project, said Mark Oberreuter, system design engineer for AP.

Oberreuter said ventilation should instead be discussed at the outset of the process so that design plans can support the right ventilation system.

“Producers tend to have initial conversations about what type of building will work best for the land they have and for their swine operation,” he said. “Most of the time that works, but sometimes the building design is great but not ideal for ventilation.”

Oberreuter listed the following considerations when planning a swine barn project:

• Fans — Building size and airflow requirements determine the number and size of fans needed for proper airflow, whether that is a single fan at the end of the building or multiple units spaced along the sidewall. The rule of thumb is that air entering from inlets should not have to travel more than 100 feet to reach a fan.

• Manure pit fans — These fans have pros and cons. The advantage is that they bring warm air down through the slats, helping to dry them out as they exhaust air to the outside. The disadvantage is that producers have to keep an eye on them, as the fans collect animal waste and can be challenging to maintain.

• Ceiling inlets — These inlets can be used year-round or just during colder months. Most are now actuated inlets, which automatically provide precise control and distribution of airflow as ventilation stages increase. Generally, inlets should be spaced no more than 20 to 25 feet down the length of the barn to achieve a good air distribution pattern.

• Tunnel ventilation — This type of system creates high wind velocity across the length of the barn, providing additional cooling during excessive summer heat, especially for older animals. Whether tunnel ventilation is a good option depends on several factors, such as the number of animals and rooms, as well as the room dimensions. The barn location is also very important — for example, one that receives good winds versus one that’s situated in a valley.

• Evaporative cooling system — This is the most popular cooling system, especially for sow operations, and involves running air through cooling pads. Determine the correct size for the evaporative cooling system based on the height and width of the building and number of fans.

• Heaters — The number and type of heaters will be based on how many BTUs are required. That will depend on the number of animals, how much heat they produce, the size of rooms and the amount of insulation.

“Producers may not dive into all of the details of what their contractor is installing,” Oberreuter said. “I would just encourage them to ask questions about what ventilation system is being planned for the building and who has done background work to ensure it is the right equipment.”