Case 1: 8 workers / 1 LHD / 55 kW / 10% reserve
Input
Workers=8, equipment=LHD ×1, power=55 kW, condition=baseline, simultaneity=100%, local minimum=0
Output
About 3.8 m³/s / 229 m³/min / 8,100 cfm. Governing criterion: diesel equipment.
Mining calculator
Works offline in the browser
Supports m³/s, m³/min, and cfm
Handles kW and hp inputs
Quick Underground Ventilation Airflow Calculator
Quickly estimate required airflow from worker count, diesel equipment count, power, and condition factors.
This is a preliminary estimate for early planning, training, and comparison. It is not a substitute for final ventilation design or regulatory compliance.
Safety note
All calculations stay in this browser and are not sent to any server.
- For preliminary estimates, training, and comparison only. Not a substitute for final ventilation design or legal compliance.
- Review gas, dust, heat load, oxygen deficiency, and post-blast dilution separately.
- Adjust diesel condition factors to match site standards and equipment maker guidance.
How to use
Notes
- Enter the worker count for the area you want to ventilate.
- Add one row per diesel equipment type and enter count, power, condition factor, and simultaneity.
- Open settings if you need to change airflow coefficients, minimum airflow, or decimal places.
- Check the governing criterion and the final recommended airflow in the result pane.
Examples
Input / Output
Case 2: 4 workers / 1 service truck / 30 kW / local minimum 120 m³/min
Input
Workers=4, equipment=service truck ×1, power=30 kW, condition=controlled, simultaneity=100%, local minimum=120 m³/min, reserve=10%
Output
About 2.2 m³/s / 132 m³/min / 4,700 cfm. Governing criterion: local minimum airflow.
Glossary
Underground ventilation airflow calculation
- Required airflow
- The estimated amount of air that should be supplied to the underground working area.
- Governing criterion
- The largest requirement among personnel, diesel equipment, and local minimum airflow.
- Simultaneity
- The share of equipment that is expected to operate at the same time.
- Condition factor
- A reference factor that reflects differences in equipment condition or aftertreatment.
- Reserve margin
- An added percentage above the governing criterion to keep the estimate conservative.
Formulas
Internal calculations use m³/s as the base unit.
- Q_people = N_people × R_people
- Q_row = N_i × P_i × F_condition_i × F_simultaneity_i × R_diesel
- Q_governing = max(Q_people, ΣQ_row, Q_local_min)
- Q_design = Q_governing × (1 + reserve / 100)
- 1 m³/s = 60 m³/min = 2118.88 cfm
Frequently asked questions
Notes
Can I use this for final ventilation design?
No. This is for preliminary estimates, training, and comparison. Final design must follow regulations, site standards, and professional judgment.
Does it support both m³/s and cfm?
Yes. The display can switch, and the internal calculation uses SI units.
What does the condition factor mean?
It is a reference factor for site standards, aftertreatment, maintenance state, and similar differences.
What if there are multiple diesel equipment types?
Add rows and enter the count, power, and factors for each equipment type separately.
Can I use it offline?
Yes. It runs entirely in the browser and does not use external APIs.
Notes
Internal calculations use m³/s as the base unit.
- This tool provides reference calculations. Final design must prioritize local regulations, internal standards, and manufacturer conditions.
- Adjust the condition and worker coefficients to your site assumptions.
- Enter only the equipment that actually runs at the same time if you want easier comparisons.