Basic Air Requirements

Compost temperatures follow the air temperature of the room. Fresh air not only supplies oxygen, but is also used to keep the compost within the correct temperature zone. To drop the compost temperature, more fresh air is introduced and vice versa. Oversupply of fresh air is only a problem if it leads to rapid cooling of the compost. In this regard, changes in the fresh air setting should 

Peak miorobia activity normally occurs 24-48 hours after pasteurization. As Phase II progresses and the food supply diminishes, this activity begins to slow. Compost temperatures should begin to drop on their own, As they drop, the fresh air supply should be decreased, thus slowly raising the air temperature as the compost reaches the required temperature zones. If the fresh air minimum is reached and the compost temperatures are still dropping, a supplemental heat source must be installed. 

The Phase II room can be a special room set aside solely for this purpose (the norm on Tray farms) or it can be in the same room where cropping occurs. Design features are critical for its success and should be strictly adhered to. These features are  

Adequate insulation Insulate to a R value of 19 for walls and a minimum of 30 for the ceiling. A vapor barrier is needed to protect the insulation. (A layer of polyethylene is cheap and effective.) 

The room must be functionally airtight. The door should form a tight seal. Any cracks or openings allow The passage of flies. 

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