Is general ventilation an important source of make-up air for local exhaust systems?

General ventilation plays a crucial role in providing make-up air for local exhaust systems. When a local exhaust system removes air or contaminants from a specific area—such as a laboratory or clinical space—there must be a corresponding source of air to replace what has been removed. This is essential for maintaining a balanced airflow and ensuring that the environment remains safe.

Without adequate make-up air, local exhaust systems can create negative pressure in a room, which may lead to the infiltration of unfiltered air from other areas, potentially bringing in contaminants or creating unsafe work conditions. General ventilation helps maintain this balance by supplying fresh air to replenish the volume that has been exhausted. Thus, it is integral to the effective functioning of local exhaust systems.