Preventing HVAC From Spreading Airborne Coronavirus

Good ventilation, filtration and humidity control can be crucial to mitigating the spread in facilities


What can be done to ensure people are getting clean air and minimizing the risk of coronavirus virus transfer a healthcare facility? There are strategies and technologies that can be effective, according to an article from the Building Operating Management on the FacilitiesNet website.

Adjust your building controls to increase the amount of outdoor air flowing through your system. ASHRAE and others have suggested a two-hour flush prior to occupants arriving in the morning. The whole concept here is to bring in fresh air, thereby diluting the recirculated and potentially virus-laden, indoor air.  

Augmenting filtration with local air purifiers can be an effective way of ensuring clean air for building occupants, while also providing a visual cue to people to help them know they are being protected. Localized air purifiers (or scrubbers), typically allow for more air exchanges, closer to occupants. 

Finally, relative humidity should be maintained between forty to sixty percent to minimize the environments where these pathogens thrive. 

Read the full article.

 

 



August 20, 2020


Topic Area: HVAC


Recent Posts

How Designers Create Welcoming Senior Care Communities

Risk assessments and cost analysis play a role in creating thriving communities.


Data-Driven Decisions: How Analytics Are Shaping Healthcare Facility Planning

Hospitals can use data to prioritize upgrades, extend building lifespans and maximize the impact of limited capital budgets.


UC Health Opens Expanded Freeman Center for Developmental Disabilities

Every detail of the new Freeman Center was informed by input from patients, caregivers, self-advocates and community partners.


Upward Mobility: Market Forces Drive Hospitals Higher

Healthcare facilities nationwide are navigating challenges and opportunities presented by expanding their reach into the sky.


Georgia Hospital Bomb Hoaxes Highlight Need for Healthcare–Police Partnerships

Proactive planning and close collaboration with law enforcement help healthcare facilities maintain safety and continuity during false threats.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.