Exhaust ventilation systems of toilets should always be kept in duty on 24/7, and under-pressure must be insured, especially to avoid the faecal-oral transmission. Also during spring time in which there is a limited requirement of cooling needs indoors, ventilation system can operate with increased rate of air supply during the whole building work periods without facing the problem of high energy consumption. ![]() Increase air supply and exhaust ventilation:įor those buildings which use mechanical ventilation system, increase the outdoor fresh air to be supplied (air change per hour) to the building would be helpful, if the ventilation is to reach 24/7 is much better and demand control ventilation (DCV) should be disabled, in addition lowering the population inside the building will cause in effective dilution ventilation per person. Once these basics are covered, a few actions related to HVAC systems are suggested, in case some spread of the virus can be affected, according to the guidance published by ASHRAE (American Society for Heating, Ventilation & Air-conditioning Engineers) and REHVA (The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation & Air-conditioning Association), There are some suggested precautions that can be taken into consideration during building operating hours. Shut down food preparation and warming areas, including the office pantry or coffee station.Ĭlose or post warning signs at water fountains in favor of bottle filling stations and sinks, or even better, encourage employees to bring their water from home. Install more hand sanitation dispensers, assuming they can be procured. Increase disinfection of frequently touched surfaces. Practical recommendations for building services operation:įor those building which remain open or will re-open in the next few weeks, there are some non-HVAC actions is required to be made: Since symptoms do not become apparent for days or weeks, each of us must behave as though we are infected. This is a “game” of chance, and the fewer individuals who come in close contact with each other, the lower the possibility for the disease to be spread. Through the hands to mucous membranes such as those in the nose, mouth and eyesĭroplets and possibly particles spread between people in close proximityįor this reason, basic principles of social distancing (1 to 2m), surface cleaning and disinfection, handwashing and other strategies of good hygiene are far more important than anything related to the HVAC system. Indirect contact through inanimate objects like doorknobs However, other mechanisms of virus dissemination are likely to be more significant: The virus can be picked up by hands that touch contaminated surfaces (called fomite transmission) or be re-entrained into the air when disturbed on surfaces. Droplets generally fall to the ground or other surfaces in about 1m, while particles, behave more like a gas and can travel through the air for longer distances, where they can transmit to people and also settle on surfaces. ![]() Talking and breathing can also release droplets and particles. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is being well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.Īccording to the WHO (World Health Organization), “The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes”. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |