With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, building owners, facilities managers, and engineers all have one thing on their mind that they are trying to solve: How can they keep occupants safe and comfortable by reducing/preventing airborne disease transmission in their building through their commercial HVAC systems?
ASHRAE has provided a position document that offers a few different practical solutions that may help reduce infectious aerosol transmission. Two possible modifications for the HVAC system include increasing outdoor air ventilation and keeping the systems running longer hours (24/7 if possible.)
However, both of these modifications have the potential to wreak havoc on commercial HVAC systems. Keeping systems running 24/7 means increased maintenance costs as well as increased wear-and-tear to the system. Additionally, increasing outdoor air ventilation could present problems as well.
According to Ruskin®, “For systems that use intake louvers, increased airflow and longer operation cycles could increase water penetration through existing louvers causing building damage and indoor air quality issues. Retrofitting with more efficient louvers might be a consideration. For new systems, proper louver selection is vital in designing an effective HVAC system.”
It is important to choose a solution to keep your occupants safe and comfortable while keeping your buildings protected. These Ruskin louvers could do the trick along with following recommended CDC guidelines.
Check out the video below to see additional features to one of the Wind-Driven Rain Resistant Stationary Louvers, the EME720.
Blog and image source: Ruskin