Upgrading a building's ventilation system can improve the delivery of clean air while maintaining energy efficiency and low costs, according to the CDC.
Improving a building’s ventilation system can increase the delivery of clean air and help prevent the spread of respiratory infections, according to a CDC COVID-19 update.
Per the new guideline, “good ventilation is essential to maintaining a healthy indoor environment and protecting building occupants from respiratory infections.” According to the CDC, protective ventilation strategies are important to prevent the accumulation of droplets and small particles containing viruses that people breathe out.
This published guidance reviews basic strategies such as maintaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Additionally, the CDC recommends regular filter changes and making sure that filters fit properly.
The CDC also suggests enhanced strategies for improving ventilation, filtration, and air treatment systems in building to lower the concentration of viral particles in the air. These strategies include:
Furthermore, low-cost and low-energy strategies are available, and the CDC encourages buildings to participate in the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, which provides guidance for ways that building owners and operators can use to improve indoor air quality and reduce the spread of viral respiratory infections.
“Ventilation systems bring fresh, outdoor air into rooms, filter or disinfect the air there, and improve air flow,” according to the guidance. “Making ventilation system upgrades or improvements in your building can increase the delivery of clean air and reduce potential contaminants in indoor spaces. This can help reduce the number of viral particles in the air.”
Reference
Improving ventilation in buildings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 11, 2023. Accessed May 16, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/Improving-Ventilation-in-buildings.html.
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