Engineering techniques taking the haze out of area casinos

Next time you walk into a Las Vegas casino, notice the air.

It may not be Rocky Mountain fresh, but in many places it lacks the smoky haze that was once considered a prerequisite.

That didn't happen by accident.

A great deal of engineering know-how and large sums of money are going into creating casino environments that appeal to smokers, nonsmokers and employees alike.

The engineering firm AE Associates is benefiting from this trend, having worked for Station Casinos and the MGM Grand, Excalibur and Luxor among others.

Robert Finnegan, an AE principal, says the company uses simple techniques to create good air quality in casinos while keeping costs down.

Finnegan said Sunset Station, one of AE's major projects, has a $15 million mechanical system with about 15 percent of that devoted to indoor air quality and ventilation.

He added that up to 30 percent more could have been spent if AE had not had the chance to incorporate the ventilation system into the original design.

Retrofitting existing buildings is challenging because the design must be formed to fit the existing structure.

AE relies heavily on "passive" systems that involve pumping in large quantities of fresh air, as opposed to "active systems" that try to filter the existing air. Finnegan said active systems can become expensive and provide no better air quality.

High-tech monitoring and control systems, which adjust the amount of outside air brought in, are also a major part of AE's designs, Finnegan said.

He explained one unique feature of AE's work is its use of "smoke entrainment," in which smoke is kept from moving sideways before it is drawn up and exhausted to the outside.

Fresh air enters the casino through vents in the walls and is drawn up into the ceiling.

Finnegan said AE has improved with each project after beginning 10 years ago when cigarette smoke became a controversial issue.

He predicts ventilation will become increasingly important for locals casinos, where return business is key.

As his firm's client list shows, more and more casinos are taking notice, creating opportunities that have left room for other local firms.

Finnegan said AE Associates and another local firm, JBA Consulting Engineers, handle most of the Las Vegas casinos.

JBA denied a request for an interview.

But Dean Rasmussen, assistant director of facilities at the Bellagio, which is owned by Mirage Resorts Inc., discussed the JBA-designed ventilation system at the soon-to-open resort.

He said the building uses 100 percent outside air in smoking areas, meaning all of the air is constantly replaced as the smoke laden portion is sent outside.

AE's project, Sunset Station, also has 100 percent outside air capabilities.

Rasmussen explained Bellagio's indoor air quality program includes creating negative air pressure in lounges and other smoking areas to keep smoke from drifting out.

Rasmussen said the Mirage has taken a proactive approach to indoor air quality as well. The facility is tested periodically to see if a problem is developing before it is too late, he explained.

In conjunction with these efforts, the Mirage does reactive studies in response to customer and employee complaints. Rasmussen said in most cases, tests show the air is better inside the casino than outside.

He would not comment directly on the cost of the Bellagio ventilation system, but said Mirage Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn is willing to spend as much as necessary to take care of the indoor air quality.

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