To provide natural ventilation in open parking garage structures, how many sides must have uniformly distributed openings?

For effective natural ventilation in open parking garage structures, having uniformly distributed openings on two sides is essential. This configuration allows for cross-ventilation, which is the movement of air that occurs when there is a pressure difference created by openings on opposing sides or adjacent sides of the structure.

With openings on two sides, air can flow in through one side while being exhausted out the other, ensuring a continuous exchange of fresh air and helping to reduce the buildup of harmful gases and heat within the garage. This two-sided design maximizes airflow and is instrumental in maintaining good air quality and safety for vehicles and pedestrians.

While having openings on one side could allow for some degree of ventilation, it would not be as effective as having them on two sides. Having openings on three or four sides can provide even better airflow, but the minimum requirement for adequate natural ventilation, according to many building codes and ventilation guidelines, usually establishes that two sides must have openings to achieve effective cross-ventilation and pressure dynamics.