Lessons from  the COVID pandemic will be part of hospital design considerations long after the crisis is over, according to an article on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer website.

To help assist with advancing the current standards to include guidance around the design and installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, ASHRAE has created an epidemic task force and position documents to address the challenges of the current pandemic as it relates to the disease transmission in multiple public and private environments, including in health care facilities.

One of the prominent ASHRAE standards that is used for most healthcare projects, ASHRAE Standard 170: Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, is continuing to be evaluated with possible revisions to include pandemic solutions. As these recommendations are clarified, the ASHRAE website has been updated with the most up-to-date information. 

For instance, although there are several design needs to be considered,  the need for negatively pressurized spaces and consideration to airflow relationships with adjoining spaces and departments is key. 

Read the full Consulting-Specifying Engineer article