United States. ASHRAE has published two statements to define guidance on managing the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings.
"In light of the current global pandemic, it is vitally important that ASHRAE respond with guidance on mitigating virus transmission, as well as ventilation and filtration recommendations," said ASHRAE 2019-20 President Darryl K. Boyce. "ASHRAE has an important role to play in ensuring safe and healthy building environments and these statements offer the expert strategies needed at this time."
ASHRAE developed the following statements in response to the expansion of false statements surrounding HVAC systems. ASHRAE said it officially opposes the council not running residential or commercial HVAC systems and claims that keeping air conditioners on during this time can help control the spread of the virus. The official statements are as follows:
- ASHRAE Statement on Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is likely enough to control exposure to the virus in the air. Changes in building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, can reduce exposure in the air.
- ASHRAE Statement on the Operation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems to Reduce the Transmission of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
The ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can reduce the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in the air and therefore the risk of transmission through the air.
Unconditioned spaces can cause thermal stress to people that can be directly deadly and can also decrease resistance to infections. In general, disabling heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems is not a recommended measure to reduce the transmission of the virus.
HVAC filters, along with other strategies, help reduce transmission of the virus while removing other pollutants from the air that can have health effects.
- The ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee also developed a Summary of Emerging Issues to support the above two statements:
There is great concern about the actual possibility of airborne transmission of various pathogens, especially SARS-CoV-2, among staff and administration in health facilities, office workers, retail workers and customers, manufacturing workers and residents in private and public facilities and the general public in outdoor settings and on public transport.
ASHRAE has created the Epidemic Task Force, comprised of leading experts to address the relationship between the spread of disease and HVAC in buildings during the current pandemic and future epidemics. The ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee Position Paper also updated a Position Paper on Infectious Aerosols.
"ASHRAE, in collaboration with its industry partners, is uniquely qualified to provide guidance on the design, operation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to prepare for future epidemics," said Bill Bahnfleth, Chair of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, voting member of the ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee and 2013-14 ASHRAE Presidential Fellow.
Visit the recently updated ASHRAE COVID-19 Resources webpage in ashrae.org/COVID19 for additional details. The page includes frequently asked questions and the latest information on ETF guidance for health centers, residential buildings, and other matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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