Page 46 - OHS, September 2022

IH: INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Not only must we make considerations for the health of these workers but also for their peace of mind.
Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.
When working with building owners to improve indoor air
quality, there are several questions that need to be answered. Which spaces are the highest priority? Different public spaces require different approaches to air purification. If the configuration of the room changes throughout the day, considerations must be made to account for that. Business owners should prepare to give as much detail as possible about their day-to-day activities when consulting with air purification
professionals.
Is there an adequate amount of outdoor air going to the
space? If the unit has an outdoor air connection, oftften we can simply confifirm system performance and rebalance the outdoor airflflow rate. Otherwise, systems may need to be modifified.
Can we increase the ventilation rate above recommended
y values? Existing equipment may be able to perform effffffectively
with enhanced ventilation rates. When this is not the case, methods to enhance ventilation, such as implementing energy recovery, may be considered.
Can we enhance filtration to MERV 13 or better? Higher efficiency filters can lower the concentration of infectious airborne particles, but these filters also have a higher pressure drop, which can impact system performance. Systems must be tested to determine whether the reduced airflow caused by the increased pressure drop is an acceptable operating point for the air-handling equipment.
Is there an opportunity to incorporate UV-C? Ultraviolet C (UV-C) technologies are available for in-duct surface and air disinfection, upper air/upper room decontamination and mobile roll-in type systems. There are many factors that influence the sizing of these systems and appropriate applications.
What about bipolar ionization? ASHRAE references the CDC’s position on bipolar ionization, indicating that manufacturer data should be carefully considered. When specifying these products, it is important to confirm that the equipment meets UL 2998 standard certification (Environmental Claim Validation Procedure [ECVP] for Zero Ozone Emissions from Air Cleaners) which is intended to validate that no ozone is produced. Manufacturers should provide case studies showing that their equipment has been tested by an independent third party with documented performance during as-used conditions. Post-construction testing to confirm that equipment is operating as publicized is also recommended.
Over the course of the pandemic, our most proactive clients have notably been municipalities, schools and apartment complexes. A prominent point of discussion has been schools, since almost all spaces are highly occupied, and the safety of children and teachers is of utmost importance. Preventing the spread of airborne contaminants is key, but measures to improve air quality must be implemented quickly and non-invasively. On the other hand, municipalities are concerned with the health of their employees and preventing the spread of airborne pathogens, despite their daily interaction with the public. Different still are apartment complexes that often have shared common areas, gathering spaces, fitness centers and so on.
We know that the most common way that Covid-19 spreads is through airborne contaminants. Microscopic particles can linger for hours after an infected person has entered a space. It is not only practical but necessary for businesses of all sizes to prioritize indoor air quality with a proactive approach. It makes occupants feel safe, but it also impacts an enterprise’s bottom line. On the heels of the “Great Resignation,” companies are placing a greater focus than ever on worker safety and comfort. A large part of that lies in reassuring people that their employers are doing everything in their power to protect them.
M. Elaine Dasti, PE and Thomas Burgess, MS, CSP, CIH are with T&M Associates, a leading provider of industrial hygiene, environmental engineering, and construction management services.
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