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Seek professional advice from a registered engineer and/or manufacturer.
A pitched
roof and open ridge vent should be considered before fans
during the planning of a new covered structure.
Fans range in cost from
about $550 to $2,000 each, depending on their design and capacity, plus
installation. Check the efficiency rating of fans.
Fans should be
mounted above sprinklers so they remain dry. Only use fans with sealed
motors.
Spacing is determined based on the fan’s operating flow rate (m
3
/minute).
As a guide:
- 900 mm blade, 285 m3/min with a 0.45 kW motor – spaced every 6 m
- 1,300 mm blade, 840 m3/min with a 1 kW motor – spaced every 12 m
(assuming the base of the fan
blade is 2.3 m above cow feet level).
Ensure that fans used have the
capacity to move the volume of air required at >2.0 m/second. If
cows are tightly packed, airflow will need to be greater. When used in
open spaces, larger-capacity fans are required because they are
operating against static pressure, so their efficiency is lower.
Doubling the operating capacity of the fan does not double the distance
covered by the fan, but it will increase costs.
Be prepared to modify
the placement of fans and add additional or larger-capacity fans if
required. It is best to discuss with an expert before you proceed.
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