Minimum Distance Between Ventilation Fans in Adjacent Walls of Tunnel Ventilated Broiler Houses

Concerns in the poultry industry suggest a minimum distance (inlet to inlet) of up to 1.5 m (5 ft.) forpositioning large ventilation fans 90 to each other in adjacent walls. This minimum distance is based on a contention ofinterference resulting in a reduction of volumetric flow rate of one or both adjacent fans. Research was conducted todetermine what effect the proximity of adjacent inlets of 122-cm (48-in.) ventilation fans have on the volumetric flow ratesof each fan. Two 122-cm (48-in.) fans (one movable, one stationary) were placed in adjacent walls of a research broilerhouse. The volumetric flow of the stationary fan was determined as the movable fan was repositioned at regulardecreasing intervals from 1.8 to 0.3 m (6 ft. to 1 ft.) toward the stationary fan. Results showed a significant difference of2% in volumetric flow rate of the stationary fan when the other fan was moved to within a distance of 0.3 m (1 ft.). Nosignificant differences were observed at any other fan position.