Re-Opening Strategies
Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommend building owners and facilities managers reduce the transmission of diseases from airborne particles by improving the operations of the building ventilation systems by:
- Increasing the percentage of outdoor air inside their buildings as long as the temperature can be maintained in a comfortable range.
- Increasing total airflow supply to occupied spaces and disabling demand control ventilation.
- Flushing the air in a building for two full hours prior to first expected occupancy.
- Flushing the air in a building again for two full hours post-occupancy or after closing.
- Maintaining humidity between 40% -60% while being careful not to create condensation conditions that can lead to mold growth.
ATS can help implement and ensure you are following these guidelines while still maximizing energy efficiency by:
- Verifying your BAS sensors, equipment and control sequences are operating properly.
- Monitoring and reporting on temperature and humidity status in all spaces throughout the building.
- Programming your system (if possible) to use outside air to maximize airflow and free cooling.
- Ensuring your space temperatures stay above the recommended dewpoint temperature.
- Programming your system for pre and post occupancy building flushes or purges.
These measures can go a long way towards maximizing your energy efficiency while still providing a healthy and safe environment, as recommended by the CDC and ASHRAE. Download the ATS Safer, Smarter Guides for further information and more facility reopening tips. If you have questions or would like to discuss your facility reopening plan contact your ATS representative Today.