A ventilation shaft is the invisible infrastructure that supplies buildings and tunnels with fresh air, removes exhaust air, and extracts smoke in case of an incident. It connects technical systems, occupied zones, and the exterior, affects fire protection and acoustics, and influences building physics, hygiene, and energy efficiency. Over the life cycle of a structure—from planning and construction to refurbishment, conversion, or deconstruction—the ventilation shaft places special demands on structural analysis, execution, and occupational safety. For interventions in existing shaft constructions, low-vibration, low-impact methods are often used, such as gentle concrete splitting with rock and concrete splitters or controlled removal with concrete crushers from Darda GmbH, especially for strip-out, specialist deconstruction, rock excavation, and tunnel construction.
Definition: What is meant by ventilation shaft
A ventilation shaft is a predominantly vertical void within structures or underground that serves to route supply air, exhaust air, or smoke. It can be designed as an independent shaft body (e.g., cast-in-place concrete, precast elements, or masonry) or as a shaft integrated into the load-bearing structure. Ventilation shafts bundle services, provide space for inspection openings and fire dampers, and discharge above the roof, through façade openings, or into technical centers. In tunnels and underground facilities, ventilation shafts are conventionally mined or mechanically driven to supply fresh air and remove pollutants and smoke. Unlike simple ducts, shafts have a load-bearing shell, defined cross-sections, and separated fire compartments. Typical configurations are exhaust shafts for kitchens and sanitary areas, smoke extraction shafts for fire events, and service shafts for central air distribution.
Functions and tasks of the ventilation shaft
The ventilation shaft performs several core functions: It transports airflow across multiple stories or long distances, maintains pressure stability, and allows the safe routing of smoke and heat in an incident. It protects services and components from mechanical impacts, provides sound insulation, and limits damage by dividing into fire compartments. In existing buildings, ventilation shafts are often used for modernization—for example, to integrate energy-efficient systems or to upgrade fire protection and hygiene. During conversion and deconstruction, controlled, low-vibration methods such as the use of concrete crushers or rock and concrete splitters from Darda GmbH are sensible to protect adjacent components and maintain ongoing operations.
Configuration, materials, and cross-sections
Ventilation shafts are designed according to function, building class, fire load, and environmental influences. Common materials are cast-in-place concrete, precast reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry, or in technical rooms steel sheet or composite constructions. Cross-sections range from slender shafts for single risers to large shafts for main lines and smoke extraction.
- Shaft wall: load-bearing shell, usually reinforced concrete with a defined fire-resistance rating
- Shaft head and outlet: roof structures, weather hoods, backflow and rainwater management
- Internal components: air ducts, fire dampers, supports, brackets, inspection openings
- Separations: fire compartmentation, sound insulation, smoke control pressurization systems where applicable
- Surfaces: smooth, easy-to-clean linings, moisture and corrosion protection
Structure and fastening systems
Load transfer includes self-weight, dynamic pressures from airflow, and thermal loading in case of fire. Fastenings must be selected to minimize vibration and reduce thermal bridges. Interventions in load-bearing shaft walls—such as openings or cross-section changes—require structural verification and low-vibration construction methods. Concrete crushers enable controlled removal of wall sections, while rock and concrete splitters induce localized tension cracks to release concrete without impact energy.
Condensate, hygiene, and corrosion
Condensate and deposits occur in exhaust air shafts. Suitable surfaces, condensate drains, and cleaning access points must be provided. Metallic components must be corrosion-protected, especially in moisture-laden sections. Hygiene requirements concern cleaning, particle load, and microbiological growth; smooth, non-fibrous surfaces and regular inspections are essential measures.
Planning, sizing, and fire protection
Sizing is based on air volumes, permissible pressure losses, flow velocities, and building-code fire protection requirements. Smoke extraction shafts require defined cross-sections, temperature resistance, and reliable actuation of exhaust openings. Service penetrations must be constructed with approved firestopping. Information on specific standards and approvals is project-specific and should always be verified against applicable regulations and authority requirements.
- Air engineering: cross-section optimization, low pressure losses, provision for inspection
- Fire protection: fire resistance of the shaft wall, automatic shut-off, formation of smoke compartments
- Acoustics: structure-borne sound decoupling, silencers, reduction of flow noise
- Building physics: dew point behavior, insulation, moisture management
- Structural analysis: openings and load redistribution, verifications for conversion
Installation, refurbishment, and modernization
In new construction, the shaft is often erected floor by floor along with the shell construction. In existing buildings, refurbishments and retrofits are more complex: operations must be maintained, impacts on occupants minimized, and adjacent components protected. Low-vibration methods are central to this. Concrete crushers are used to remove concrete in a controlled manner and expose reinforcement, while rock and concrete splitters prepare cross-sectional openings by inducing controlled splits—for example, to enlarge inspection openings or retrofit fire dampers. Hydraulic power packs supply these tools with energy even in confined shafts. For cutting steel components, duct frames, or massive enclosures, steel shears, combi shears, or Multi Cutters from Darda GmbH are used depending on material thickness.
Creating and enlarging openings
- Survey: locate services, scan reinforcement and embedded items, clarify fire protection requirements
- Structural design: define opening sizes, load redistribution, and temporary shoring
- Dust and noise control: set up negative pressure containment, extraction, and temporary partitions
- Removal: concrete crushers for controlled removal; splitting with rock and concrete splitters for low-vibration widening
- Cutting steel: separate inspection frames, brackets, and duct flanges with Multi Cutters or steel shears
- Fire protection: properly reinstate firestopping systems and dampers, update documentation
Refurbishment priorities
Typical measures include sealing joints, replacing corroded components, installing new fire dampers, and hygienic cleaning. For cross-section adjustments, low-vibration methods have proven effective to avoid cracking in adjacent components and to avoid disrupting ongoing use.
Demolition and specialist deconstruction of ventilation shafts
When shafts in existing buildings or technical centers are dismantled, the focus is on safety and minimizing dust and vibration. For concrete demolition and specialist deconstruction, concrete crushers are used to release wall sections piece by piece. Rock and concrete splitters generate defined crack patterns, allowing massive components to be separated without impact energy—a benefit in sensitive environments such as hospitals, laboratories, or listed buildings. During strip-out and cutting of steel frames, brackets, or thick duct walls, combi shears and Multi Cutters are used to cut steel and reinforcement. Hydraulic power packs from Darda GmbH ensure energy supply even in hard-to-access shafts.
- Sequential deconstruction: top-down, with temporary shoring and load handling via crane or guides
- Emission control: fine dust reduction through extraction, misting, and negative pressure
- Material separation: record concrete, masonry, and steel separately; plan recycling routes early
- Special cases: contaminated areas from heat damage or smoke deposits require specific treatment
Ventilation shafts in tunnel and shaft construction
In tunnels and underground facilities, ventilation shafts supply fresh air and remove exhaust gases or smoke. Depending on geology, shafts are conventionally driven or constructed by drilling. In urban environments and sensitive zones, non-explosive methods are in demand: rock and concrete splitters are suitable for rock excavation and tunnel construction with very low vibration input. When enlarging or strengthening shaft heads, concrete crushers can ensure controlled removal of reinforced concrete without affecting neighboring structures.
Equipment and power supply in the shaft
In confined shafts, compact, hydraulically operated tools are advantageous. Compact hydraulic power units from Darda GmbH can be positioned outside the hazard zone while the attachments work in the shaft. This reduces exhaust gases, heat input, and weight in the work area.
Inspection, cleaning, and operation
Regular visual inspections, cleaning, and functional checks of fire dampers are required for hygienic and safe operation. Inspection openings must be accessible, tight, and labeled. Where grease, dust, or chemical components are present, suitable cleaning methods and protective measures must be provided. Interventions during ongoing operation require adapted operating modes (partial shutdown, bypass, negative pressure) and clear communication with occupants and operators.
Typical damage patterns and causes
Cracks, spalling, corrosion of fixings, air leaks, and odor transfer are frequent findings. Causes include moisture and temperature fluctuations, insufficient decoupling, inadequate insulation, or faulty firestopping. Refurbishment strategies range from joint sealing and replacement of components to cross-section adjustments. For structurally relevant interventions, controlled, low-vibration methods are recommended—such as removal with concrete crushers or induced splitting with rock and concrete splitters to protect adjacent components.
Occupational safety, emission control, and environmental protection
Work in a ventilation shaft is considered a confined-space activity with elevated risks. Fall protection, suitable rescue concepts, ventilation during work, and well-planned logistics are required. Where hazardous substances may be present (e.g., dust, residues, old coatings), appropriate protective measures and—if necessary—clearances must be considered. Noise and dust control measures should be planned early. Materials must be kept separate and recycled where possible; steel and concrete are generally well recyclable.
Project organization and documentation
Clean interface coordination between structural engineering, MEP, fire protection, and construction execution is crucial. Existing documentation is reviewed in advance, deviations are documented during opening works, and transferred into the as-built planning. For interventions in load-bearing shaft walls, approvals and verifications must be obtained in time; statements in this context are always general and non-binding.
Practical guide: steps to modernize a ventilation shaft
- Define objectives: specify air volumes, fire protection, and hygiene requirements; consider construction operations and user needs
- Investigate existing conditions: locate services, reinforcement, and embedded components; record acoustic and fire protection details
- Define methodology: prioritize low-vibration methods; plan the use of concrete crushers and rock and concrete splitters for openings; provide steel cutting with combi shears, Multi Cutters, or steel shears
- Construction phases and emission control: organize partitions, negative pressure, extraction, and transport routes
- Execution: sequential deconstruction and installation; place hydraulic power packs outside sensitive areas; document quality assurance continuously
- Restoration: renew firestopping, dampers, insulation, and surfaces; perform functional tests and record measurements
- Completion: hand over as-built documents, update operation and maintenance concept