Trash Room Exhaust Calculator
Exhaust airflow for a refuse or trash compactor room.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Required exhaust
- 250 CFM
- Area basis
- 225 CFM
- 10 ACH basis
- 250 CFM
- Pressure
- Hold room negative to corridor to contain odour
Quick answer
Trash and refuse rooms are commonly exhausted continuously at about 1-2 CFM per square foot, or a minimum of 10 air changes per hour, held negative to adjacent spaces.
CFM = max(area x rate, volume x 10 ACH / 60)
How to use the Trash Room Exhaust Calculator
- 1Enter the trash room's floor area and ceiling height.
- 2Compare the area-based rate to a minimum 10 air-changes-per-hour target.
- 3Hold the room negative to adjoining corridors so odours do not migrate.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Room area150 sq ft
- Ceiling height10 ft
- Area-based rate1.5 CFM/sq ft
Results
- Required exhaust250 CFM
- Area basis225 CFM
- 10 ACH basis250 CFM
- PressureHold room negative to corridor to contain odour
Frequently asked questions
Does refrigeration replace the need for exhaust?
No — refrigerated trash rooms still need exhaust ventilation for odour and moisture control, especially near the compactor.
Should the fan run continuously?
Yes, continuous low-level exhaust is standard for trash rooms to prevent odour buildup between pickups.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.