Manufacturing · Pharma GMP · Logistics · Chemical Processing
HVAC and ventilation for Chilean manufacturing plants — pharmaceutical cleanrooms (GMP), ATEX process zones, logistics warehouses, and industrial control rooms. DS 594, GMP Annex 1, and ISP qualification support.
Installation types
HVAC for production lines with temperature and humidity requirements: electronics manufacturing (21–23°C, 40–50% RH), food packaging (10–14°C), plastics and paint production (temperature-controlled for viscosity). Thermal load calculations include machinery and industrial lighting heat generation.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing areas under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). ISO 7–8 classification (Grade C–D): 20–30 air changes per hour, HEPA H14 at terminal filters, positive pressure differentials between clean and service areas. HVAC qualification documentation (DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ) for ISP authorization.
Mechanical ventilation for logistics warehouses and distribution centers: temperature control for operators (DS 594), heat extraction from material-handling equipment (electric forklifts), and loading dock ventilation to prevent CO accumulation from internal combustion vehicles.
Explosion-proof (ATEX) ventilation for plants with solvents, paints, agrochemicals, and flammable gases. Gas detection systems with automatic emergency fan activation. Localized extraction in paint spray booths and mixing zones. Compliance with DS 78 (MINSAL) and SAG for pesticide storage.
HVAC for process control rooms, industrial server rooms (SCADA, DCS), quality control laboratories, and instrumentation areas. N+1 redundancy in the conditioning unit, G4–F7 filtration for dusty industrial environments, and integrated UPS in the HVAC control panels.
For operators near heat sources (furnaces, compressors, welding lines), installation of adiabatic evaporative coolers or localized spot cooling systems with flexible air distribution tubing. DS 594 sets a maximum of 32°C WBGT for moderate-intensity work.
FAQ
DS 594 (Sanitary Conditions for Workplaces) establishes that for moderate physical work, the effective temperature must not exceed 26.5°C (without radiant load) and the WBGT index must not exceed 32°C. For sedentary work, temperature must be between 18°C and 24°C. In areas with intense heat sources (furnaces, boilers, welding lines), engineering controls (insulation, localized cooling) must be implemented to protect workers.
A GMP cleanroom is a pharmaceutical manufacturing area with controlled particles, temperature, humidity, and differential pressure. The most commonly used classification in Chile follows EU GMP Annex 1: Grade A (ISO 5, aseptic filling zone), Grade B (ISO 7, environment surrounding Grade A), Grade C (ISO 8, less critical processing stages), Grade D (preparation areas). The ISP (Instituto de Salud Pública) requires HVAC qualification (DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ) as part of the plant's sanitary authorization.
Industrial ventilation primarily controls airborne contaminants (gases, vapors, dust, heat) and fresh air renewal for DS 594 compliance — but does not precisely control temperature. HVAC (air conditioning) simultaneously controls temperature, humidity, and air quality. Industrial plants typically need both: ventilation for process areas and precision HVAC for control rooms, laboratories, and temperature-sensitive production areas.
An ATEX zone is an area where an explosive mixture of gases, vapors, or dust with air can form. Zone classification (Zone 0/1/2 for gases/vapors, Zone 20/21/22 for dust) determines which equipment is permitted. In ATEX zones, all electrical equipment — including fans, extraction motors, switches, and control panels — must hold EX certification per ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU or the IECEx standard. Installing standard equipment in an ATEX zone creates legal liability in case of an incident.
A logistics warehouse with basic mechanical ventilation (extraction + supply for DS 594) of 2,000–5,000 m² costs approximately UF 150–600 (≈ USD 5K–20K). A manufacturing plant with technical area conditioning and control room HVAC (20–24°C, G4–F7 filtration) of 500–2,000 m² costs UF 400–2,000. A GMP cleanroom Grade C–D of 200–500 m² costs UF 1,500–6,000 including the qualifiable HVAC system. UF (Unidad de Fomento, Chile's inflation-indexed unit, ≈ USD 33 in 2025).
Yes. For pharmaceutical cleanrooms in Chile, the ISP requires HVAC system qualification as part of the sanitary authorization. We design and build the cleanroom HVAC to the agreed process parameters and prepare the Design Qualification (DQ) and Installation Qualification (IQ) documentation. Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ) are conducted with the system in operation and require particle count, airflow, and differential pressure measurements. We recommend coordinating this with a pharmaceutical validation firm.
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