Pit fans are easy to overlook. They sit below the barn, operating in one of the harshest environments on the farm, and rarely attract much attention when everything is working properly. Yet their role can significantly impact air quality, moisture, animal comfort, equipment life and the overall performance of a swine facility.
Furthermore, effective pit ventilation is not simply a matter of installing a fan. It requires designing, operating and maintaining a system that works with the rest of the barn.
Understanding the Role of Pit Fans
One of the most common misconceptions is that installing a pit fan automatically provides effective minimum ventilation throughout a barn. However, that is not necessarily the case. A pit fan can be effective at removing gases from the pit, but using pit fans for minimum ventilation requires careful consideration of fan size, spacing, motor type, propeller design and the overall barn layout.
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