Rafael Postigo Sierra: The UNE standard on ventilation in car parks creates value and builds trust
Standardisation is one of the main tools available to businesses for adapting to new regulations and the demands of society, according to Rafael Postigo Sierra, Project Manager for Industry and Equipment at UNE (Una Norma Española, the Spanish Standardisation Authority). The development of a standard of this kind could be “the best thing to happen to the sectors; serving to establish a distinctive framework and fostering a climate of consumer confidence”.
What are the main things to taken into account when it comes to car park ventilation?
When designing ventilation systems for car parks, various factors should be taken into account in order to achieve the key objectives that a good system of this kind should fulfil. These are designed to extract the smoke generated during a fire, prevent the formation of areas where air becomes stagnant, help reduce its density and temperature, and enabling the smoke to be cleared more quickly once the fire has been extinguished. To keep the concentrations of polluting gases produced by vehicles travelling within the building below harmful levels, while preventing the formation of areas of stagnant air.
Another factor to bear in mind is improving the system’s energy efficiency so that it is capable of delivering a flow rate tailored to requirements at any given time. To minimise the risk of explosion caused by the build-up of combustible gases from petrol and diesel vehicles. And improve the energy efficiency of the car park’s ventilation system by incorporating the four objectives mentioned above into a single system.
To this end, UNE Standard 100166:2025 on Air-conditioning and Ventilation in Car Parks establishes requirements, specific design criteria and recommendations throughout the text, are set out for both the system as a whole and its components. All of this is to ensure that the aforementioned objectives can be achieved, regardless of the different technical solutions and ventilation configurations applied in accordance with the state of the art as available at the date of publication of the standard.
To ensure that these systems continue to meet their objectives throughout the facility’s service life, the standard also sets out criteria for maintenance and upkeep.
What changes has the new version of the UNE standard introduced in this regard?
The standard introduces a number of changes compared to the previous version. In particular, for mechanical ventilation assisted by impulse ventilation, the standard specifies the design flow rate for mechanical extraction. It also sets out how air intake and exhaust vents should be arranged in the car park, and aspects relating to positive pressure at the doors of the car park’s escape routes.
Two new informative annexes have been added, containing examples of how to estimate the evacuation time for car park occupants and how to determine the activation time for sprinklers to extinguish a fire inside the car park; all of this has been agreed in consultation with the fire safety sector.
What conclusions can we draw since the entry into force of the new version of the standard?
Even the previous version of the standard served, from the moment of its publication, as a reference guide for the sector and for all stakeholders in the value chain. This is borne out by both the manufacturers and the designers of these same systems. Bearing this in mind, the new version of the standard – a more up-to-date and revised version – is expected to remain a key reference for the sector.
In this regard, the draft royal decree amending the Technical Building Code (CTE in Spanish) now includes a reference to the new UNE Standard 100166:2025, thereby adding the support of the public sector – alongside that of the private sector – in recognising its utility for compliance with the requirements of the CTE.
All of the above simply serves to reinforce the view that the overall assessment of its acceptance within the sector is extremely positive.
How will the new standard enhance the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the facilities?
Generally speaking, UNE standards ensure that installations operate in accordance with the broadest possible technical consensus. This is achieved through the involvement of stakeholders in the value chain for this specific area of application. The following organisations were all involved in the development of this standard: AEDICI (Association of Engineering and Consulting Engineers for Building Services), ATECYR (Spanish Technical Association for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), COAM (Official Association of Architects of Madrid), IETcc-CSIC (Eduardo Torroja Institute of Construction Sciences), SODECA, Soler&Palau, TECNIFUEGO (Spanish Association of Fire Protection Companies) and ANFACA (National Association of Air Conditioning and Ventilation Duct Manufacturers).
What's more, the UNE standards set out requirements and recommendations that minimise risks and reduce operating costs and, in this particular case, ensure compliance with the law should the proposed amendment to the CTE be approved
What does standardisation mean for a sector such as air conditioning and refrigeration?
To summarise, and in general terms, standardisation is one of the main tools available to businesses for adapting to new regulations and the demands of society. The development of a UNE standard can be the best thing to happen to a sector and serve to establish a distinctive framework, while fostering a climate of consumer confidence. Finally, the regulatory framework establishes networks for contact and collaboration with other sector organisations. UNE Standard 100166: 2025 on Air Conditioning and Ventilation in Car Parks is a clear example of these three key areas in which UNE adds value.