Ventilation Rates
May 18th, 2020
Ventilation rates in your facility have never been more important.
REOPEN Connecticut recommends ventilation increases for offices.
Studies are showing that the Coronavirus can stay airborne for over 2 hours. This is putting focus on building ventilation rates as a way to control the spread of the virus. Released on May 8th, Governor Lamont’s REOPEN Connecticut plan instructs building owners and managers to “Increase ventilation rates and increase the percentage of outdoor air that circulates into the system where possible”. This is part of the State’s plan to reopen offices with restrictions and recommendations to get people back to work safely.
With ventilation rates as an important factor, how do you assure your systems are properly ventilating your spaces? The first and probably simplest step is to assure that there are no unnecessary restrictions in your air handling systems. Inspect your air filters, be sure they are properly installed and clean. Do the same with your heating and cooling coils and any other components in the air stream. This is an ideal time to get those situations fixed if they’re inhibiting air flow.
Your control system is also a critical element for proper ventilation of the space. Dampers need to be functioning and properly sequenced. Sensors need to be calibrated and signaling the proper information to the controllers. And last, but not least, you need the proper control strategy and settings to maintain the air exchanges necessary for the conditions.
As the REOPEN Connecticut plan suggests, the current ventilation rates that you are using for your building may not be adequate for these very unusual times and need to be reconsidered. For the same reasons, hospitals and other health care facilities operate at much higher rates of fresh air exchanges than rates for general commercial, educational or office buildings. In most cases, the mechanical system will support the increases and the improved rates can be achieved through your control system.
Alongside distancing, masks, gloves and hygiene, you should add a full ventilation system check-up and adjustment to your arsenal in the fight against the Coronavirus.
Contact us if we can assist in building your plan or assuring that your systems are optimized and ventilating at the proper rates.
Call us at 860-953-8800 or contact us here.
- Your Friends at ESC
