System and method for processing mail

A mail processing system comprising:

• a mail processing facility;
• a mail processing room located in the facility;
• a ventilation system coupled to the mail processing room;
• an in-bound mail area located in the mail processing room including an in-bound mail area pressure zone, wherein the in-bound mail area pressure zone is negative with respect to the positive pressure zone external to the facility;
• a mail sorting area located in the mail processing room and including a mail sorting area pressure zone, wherein the mail sorting area pressure zone is negative with respect to the inbound room pressure area, and wherein the ventilation system includes a local ventilation system to supply air to the mail sorting area;
• and
• a clean mail area located in the mail processing room and comprising a clean mail area pressure zone, wherein the clean mail area pressure zone is positive with respect to the mail sorting area pressure zone, and wherein the in-bound mail area pressure zone, the mail sorting area pressure zone, and the clean mail area pressure zone result in air within the facility or entering the facility to flow into the mail sorting area, and wherein the ventilation system includes a global ventilation system having a dedicated input to at least one of the in-bound mail area, the mail sorting area, and the clean mail area.