Healthcare | Dental Facilities | Residential | Residential Healthcare | Multifamily | Commercial | Communities of Faith |
Schools and Universities | Laboratory
Healthcare REV 4/18/2021
Download this section as a Powerpoint Presentation (.pdf)
HEALTHCARE (PDF)
This ASHRAE/ASHE guidance document is based on best available evidence and knowledge as of the date of this document. In the context of the rapidly evolving state of knowledge regarding transmission of COVID-19, design professionals may consider interventions that adopt a precautionary principle, taking reasonable actions that reduce risk while awaiting greater scientific certainty. Therefore, this guidance should be read in conjunction with the relevant government guidance and available research. This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified professional. By adopting these recommendations for use, each adopter agrees to accept full responsibility for any personal injury, death, loss, damage or delay arising out of or in connection with their use by or on behalf of such adopter irrespective of the cause or reason therefore and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless ASHRAE and ASHE, the authors and others involved in their publication from any and all liability arising out of or in connection with such use as aforesaid and irrespective of any negligence on the part of those indemnified.
USACE | ASHRAE
Alternate Care Site HVAC Guidebook
- Do No Harm
- Protect Healthcare Workers, Family, and Visitors
- Protect Other Patients
- Empower people to make and carry out the best decision they can.
- Work as a team – weigh competing concerns, define key areas, share the plan.
- Consider the type of HVAC system, the configuration, clinical needs, facility infrastructure capacity, and limited resources available.
- Confirm that power-consuming equipment is connected to the appropriate branch of the essential power system.
- Maintain Egress
- Consider defend-in-place plans and smoke compartments
- Increased facility oxygen use elevates risk of a fire spreading more rapidly
- First responder protection.
- Develop Interim Life Safety Measures as applicable
- PPE basics
- Filter changing
- Room turnover
- Verify performance of critical HVAC systems – airborne infection isolation rooms, Emergency Departments, etc.
- Disinfection: Normal, UV, VHP, Hypochlorous Acid
- See ASHRAE COVID-19 Filtration and Disinfection section for greater detail.
- Considering the possibility of being short-staffed in the future, run-test and re-fuel emergency generator system.
- Coordinate any planned rescheduling or postponement of Inspection, Testing, Maintenance (ITM) with local or state AHJ. Submit waivers as required.
- Submit waivers as required to CMS for inspection, testing, and maintenance under Section 1135. ASHE Template.
- Check to be sure COVID-19 area AHU return air isn't being used to condition mechanical rooms.
- Waterborne Pathogen Prevention
- Utilize make up air units or exhaust fans from other facilities (restaurants) that are currently shut down.
- Reduce # of rooms utilized off a single HVAC system to free up AHU capacity to achieve performance goals. 25 beds with desired airflow/temps better than 30 beds with airflow/temp deficiencies.
- Document the Action Plan and Alternations in Place
- Disclaimer
Dental Facilities | Return to Top REV 4/21/2021
Download this section as a Powerpoint Presentation (.pdf)
DENTAL FACILITIES (PDF)
- To provide the Dental Profession with Evidence Based scientific and technological information related to HVAC, indoor air quality (IAG), Water Quality, and other environmental concerns to promote a safe and healthy dental setting.
- To encourage the establishment, acceptance, and understanding of appropriate engineering principles by the Dental Profession to promote safer dental working environment in clinical and laboratory settings.
- To promote proper dental office design with the objective of helping to minimize the effect of infectious challenges such as airborne COVID-19 and waterborne Legionella.
- Do No Harm
- Protect Dental Workers and Patients
- Empower people to make and carry out the best decision they can.
- Consider the type of HVAC system, the configuration, clinical needs, facility infrastructure capacity, and limited resources available.
General Best Practice HVAC Recommendations for Dental Practitioners | Return to Top of Dental Facilities
Maintaining and Servicing of Air and Water Systems in the Dental Environment | Return to Top of Dental Facilities
Residential | Return to Top REV 2/17/2021
Download this section as a Powerpoint Presentation (.pdf)
RESIDENTIAL (PDF)
New! Updated Residential Guidance
February 17, 2021
Residential Healthcare | Return to Top REV 11/17/2020
Download this section as a PDF
RESIDENTIAL HEALTHCARE (PDF)
- Long Term Care / Extended Care
- Nursing Homes
- Hospice
- Assisted Living
- Memory Care
- Post-Acute
Guidance for Multifamily Building Owners/Managers REV 03/03/2021
Download this section as a PDF
MULTIFAMILY (PDF)
Introduction
This guidance focuses on HVAC system operation and maintenance, related ventilation, and air flow. Other aspects of building operations such as appropriate PPE to protect workers or cleaning procedures are covered in the guidance documents of OSHA, CDC, HUD and other agencies.
Depending on the demographic characteristics of a building’s occupants, stay-at-home orders and related changes can significantly increase the occupant density during the day. Generally speaking, increased density can increase the potential for transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Try to implement Immediate Actions as soon as possible to reduce potential transmission.
For information for occupants of multifamily buildings see the main residential section.
Download this section as a Powerpoint Presentation (.pdf)
COMMERCIAL (PDF) REV 03/22/2021
Planning Framework for Protecting Commercial Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire Events
Download this section as a Powerpoint Presentation (.pdf)
COMMUNITIES OF FAITH (PDF) REV 12/15/2020
Schools and Universities | Return to Top
NEW May 5, 2022
Managing Air Quality During the Pandemic: How K-12 Schools Addressed Air Quality in the Second Year of COVID-19
Center for Green Schools at USGBC with Technical Support from ASHRAE
April 29, 2021
Preparation in the Pandemic: How Schools Implemented Air Quality Measures to Protect Occupants from COVID-19
Reopening Schools and Universities Guidance
Download this section as a Powerpoint Presentation (.pdf)
Schools and Universities REV 05/14/2021
Laboratory REV 9/16/2021
LABORATORY DOCUMENT
The laboratory environment may be considered a low risk for aerosol transmission since these facilities are typically designed to minimize cross-contamination through the use of 100% outside supply air systems, high ventilation rates, and exhaust systems designed to minimize re-entrainment of contaminated air. However, these same systems provide unique operating conditions that require distinct mitigation strategies to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious aerosols. Several recommended mitigation strategies that may be prudent for other building types may adversely impact the air flow patterns within the lab and/or the performance of existing containment devices.
The laboratory guidance document provided in the link above is designed to address the mitigation strategies that are unique to the laboratory environment and to define those strategies that may be applicable to non-lab environments that should not be implemented within a laboratory or to its HVAC systems.