Tunnel/Mine Ventilation Calculator
Fan airflow for tunnel or mine ventilation by workers and diesel equipment.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Required ventilation airflow
- 44,000 CFM
- Worker-based portion
- 4,000 CFM
- Diesel-based portion
- 40,000 CFM
- Fans at 50,000 CFM each
- 1
Quick answer
Underground ventilation combines a per-worker fresh air allowance with a per-horsepower allowance for diesel equipment exhaust dilution.
CFM = workers x 200 + diesel hp x 100
How to use the Tunnel/Mine Ventilation Calculator
- 1Count the peak number of workers underground at once.
- 2Total the horsepower of diesel equipment operating simultaneously.
- 3Apply per-worker and per-horsepower allowances and take the sum, per common mine ventilation guides.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Workers underground20
- Total diesel equipment horsepower400 hp
Results
- Required ventilation airflow44,000 CFM
- Worker-based portion4,000 CFM
- Diesel-based portion40,000 CFM
- Fans at 50,000 CFM each1
Frequently asked questions
Why per-horsepower for diesel?
Diesel exhaust dilution is regulated separately from human fresh air needs because of DPM (diesel particulate matter) limits.
Does this replace a full ventilation survey?
No — this is a planning estimate; real mine ventilation design also models friction losses and natural ventilation pressure.
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.