Entry Vestibule Heating 1

[BronYrAur]

Looking for some practical factors for heating an entry vestibule between two sets of doors. The load can easily be calculated with HAP, but I know the calculated value is never enough for these types of applications. The problem is of course that no amount of heat can combat doors that will be constantly opening all day long, so I am looking for some practical correction factors to lump on top of the calculated load.

The good news is that the vestibule will contain a revolving door, but it will also have ADA doors. It is an office building with a lot of traffic in and out. Most should use the revolving door. the outer doors face West in Chicago, which is the prevailing direction from which the wind blows. The objective is to prevent the cold from entering the lobby area just inside the inner doors. Asthetics are a definite concern.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[cdxx139]

I size it for 10 cfm/sf of every sf of door open to the outdoors.

But really, I put the biggest Cabinet Unit Heater I can fit, or the architect allows.

knowledge is power

 

[berkshire]

One technique, is to put the registers blowing straight down on the heads of people coming through the doors. You may not actually get enough heat into the space to bring the temperature up, with the door constantly opening, but the perceived heat from the registers will be welcome as you enter.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[trashcanman]

Forget cfm, registers and fans as they are NOT effective against outside air infiltration.

Use overhead RADIANT heaters. Provide a minimum of 25 btuh/sq.ft. Can be electric, but if concealed, use electric.

 

[BronYrAur]

But won't radiant just provide warmth for the people in the vestibule and not do anything to help temper the air? I'm concerned about the air that continues through the other doors into the lobby.

 

[chicopee]

I'll double take on Berkshire suggestion. Go to a COSTCO store if such exist in Chicago and you'll see a hot air curtain at the customer entrance doorway. Radiant heater for a small area is not in my opinion advise as they are normally used on delivery docks and in area where spot heating for let's say a machinist standing at his equipment all working day. In the spray area mentioned above we also had over a dozen radiant units to cure the paint system on the girders and were not really for the comfort of the spray painters.

 

[GroovyGuy]

Have you considered in-slab heating, either electric or hot-water (or glycol?) ?
I have done this in northern Canada before. It does a real good job of melting (and evaporating) any snow / rain that gets dragged in.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)