ASHRAE updates HVAC building readiness guide
ASHRAE’s Epidemic Task Force has updated its Building Readiness Guide as more and more companies prepare to restore their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new guidelines are designed to help further mitigate the transmission of the novel coronavirus.
“By rolling out this updated guidance, we are hoping to provide a more robust structure for building owners to complete the objectives of their Building Readiness Plan and anticipate the needs of building occupants,” said Wade Conlan, the task force building readiness team lead.
The guide addresses commissioning, systems analysis, filtration, air cleaning strategies, domestic and plumbing water systems, and overall improvements to a system’s ability to mitigate virus transmission. They also offer additional information and clarifications so that owners can avoid operating their HVAC systems 24/7.
Specific updated recommendations to the building readiness guidance include:
Pre- and post- flushing strategy
The intent of this strategy is to ensure the ventilation assist in removing bioburden during, pre-, and post- occupancy of the building. The building is flushed for a duration sufficient to reduce concentration of airborne infectious particles by 95 percent. There is also some guidance on methods to potentially increase the quantity of outdoor air introduced by systems.
Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems operation
The guidelines help users whether their energy wheels are well designed and/or well maintained and whether it should remain in operation.
Building readiness modes of operation for the building
These modes include:
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- epidemic operating conditions in place
- occupied- at pre-epidemic capacity
- occupied- at reduced capacity
- temporarily unoccupied
- operation during building closure for indefinite periods
- post-epidemic conditions in place
- prior to occupying
- operational considerations once occupied
To view the complete ASHRAE Building Readiness guide and other COVID-19 resources, visit ashrae.org/COVID-19.