AS 1668.2-2024 PDF

Full title and description

AS 1668.2:2024 — The use of ventilation and airconditioning in buildings, Part 2: Mechanical ventilation in buildings. This Australian Standard gives minimum design parameters, procedures and guidance for determining mechanical ventilation and outdoor-air requirements for a wide range of building occupancies and special enclosures (including car parks and critical healthcare spaces).

Abstract

AS 1668.2:2024 replaces the 2012 edition and sets out requirements for mechanical supply and extract systems including intake location, filtration, outdoor-air intake and distribution, calculation of introduced and effective outdoor airflow rates, limits on recirculation, commissioning, monitoring and provisions for special enclosures (for example car parks and healthcare areas). The standard includes practical procedures (simple and detailed) for sizing ventilation rates, performance and testing guidance and a number of appendices that provide worked examples, exposure criteria and commissioning/recording recommendations.

General information

• Status: Current.
• Publication date: 28 June 2024.
• Publisher: Standards Australia (SAA/Standards Australia).
• ICS / categories: 91.140 — Installations in buildings; specifically 91.140.30 Ventilation and air‑conditioning systems.
• Edition / version: AS 1668.2:2024 (2024 edition; revision of AS 1668.2-2012).
• Number of pages: 134 (PDF/print listing).

Scope

Specifies requirements and guidance for the design and application of mechanical ventilation and air‑handling systems in buildings and enclosures where control of airborne contaminants, odours, particulates and gases is required. Topics include intake and ductwork arrangements, filtration and HEPA considerations, calculation methods for introduced and effective outdoor airflow (simple and detailed procedures), requirements for car parks and vehicle exhaust exposure, limitations on recycled air, commissioning and monitoring, and special provisions for healthcare critical areas and isolation spaces. The document is intended for building designers, services engineers and facility managers responsible for mechanical ventilation performance and indoor air quality.

Key topics and requirements

• Minimum design parameters for mechanical ventilation supply and extract systems.
• Procedures to calculate introduced outdoor airflow and effective outdoor airflow (simple and detailed methods).
• Location and design of outdoor air intakes and requirements to avoid contamination of inlets.
• Filtration requirements, including references to HEPA testing and selection criteria; restrictions on recycled/recirculated air where specified.
• Specific provisions for car park ventilation (both mechanical and natural) and vehicle exhaust exposure limits.
• Commissioning, monitoring, record keeping and performance verification requirements for ventilation systems.
• Requirements and enhanced performance criteria for healthcare spaces (operating theatres, isolation rooms) and other critical enclosures.

Typical use and users

Used by HVAC and building services engineers, mechanical designers, architects, building certifiers, facilities managers, commissioning authorities, consultants for healthcare and laboratory facilities, and regulatory bodies. It is referenced by practitioners designing or assessing ventilation systems to meet minimum indoor‑air quality, safety and performance expectations in Australia and by international projects seeking Australian compliance equivalence.

Related standards

Commonly used together with other parts of the AS 1668 series and related product/test standards, for example:

• AS 1668.1:2015 — The use of ventilation and airconditioning in buildings, Part 1: Fire and smoke control in buildings; and AS 1668.4:2024 — Part 4: Natural ventilation of buildings. • Air filter and HEPA-related standards such as AS 1324.1 (filters) and AS ISO 14644.3 (cleanroom test methods) may be referenced for filtration and test procedures.

Keywords

ventilation; mechanical ventilation; HVAC; outdoor air; ventilation rates; air quality; filtration; HEPA; car park ventilation; commissioning; healthcare ventilation; AS 1668; Standards Australia.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AS 1668.2:2024 is the Australian Standard titled "The use of ventilation and airconditioning in buildings — Part 2: Mechanical ventilation in buildings", providing design parameters, calculation methods and performance guidance for mechanical ventilation systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Mechanical supply and extract systems, intake design, filtration requirements, procedures for calculating introduced and effective outdoor airflow (simple and detailed), limits on recirculation, ventilation of car parks and other vehicle areas, commissioning, monitoring and specific requirements for critical healthcare spaces and other special enclosures.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Building services and HVAC engineers, designers, commissioning agents, facilities managers, architects and regulators involved in specifying, designing, installing, testing or auditing ventilation systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current. AS 1668.2:2024 is the 2024 edition and supersedes AS 1668.2-2012 (and its amendments).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the AS 1668 series. Related parts include AS 1668.1 (fire and smoke control) and AS 1668.4 (natural ventilation), among other referenced test and filtration standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Ventilation, mechanical ventilation, outdoor-air, filtration, HEPA, HVAC, commissioning, indoor air quality, car park ventilation, healthcare ventilation, AS 1668.2:2024.