Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Resources from ASHRAE and Others

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Frequently Asked Questions and Glossary of Terms

FAQ / Glossary

This page is updated as new information becomes available.

Main

ASHRAE leadership has approved the following two statements regarding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the operation of HVAC systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air is sufficiently likely that airborne exposure to the virus should be controlled. Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.

Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and thus the risk of transmission through the air. Unconditioned spaces can cause thermal stress to people that may be directly life threatening and that may also lower resistance to infection. In general, disabling of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems is not a recommended measure to reduce the transmission of the virus.

En Español

ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols

On April 14, 2020, the ASHRAE Board of Directors approved the ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols. This position document replaces the ASHRAE Position Document on Airborne Infectious Diseases. This position document outlines ASHRAE's position that facilities of all types should follow, as a minimum, the latest published standards and guidelines and good engineering practice. Based on risk assessments or owner project requirements, designers of new and existing facilities could go beyond the minimum requirements of these standards, using techniques covered in various ASHRAE publications, including the ASHRAE Handbook volumes, Research Project final reports, papers and articles, and design guides, to be even better prepared to control the dissemination of infectious aerosols.

ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols

En Español

Em Português

NEW! ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Laboratory Subcommittee Guidance Document
November 12, 2020

One Page Guidance for Re-Opening Buildings
October 5, 2020

One Page Guidance for Residential Buildings
October 5, 2020

Guidance for Polling Place HVAC Systems
August 19, 2020
em Português

One Page Guidance for Reopening Schools
August 20, 2020
En Español

Environmental Health Emerging Issue Brief
Pandemic COVID-19 and Airborne Transmission

Does ASHRAE’s guidance agree with guidance from WHO and CDC?
May 28, 2020

Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), February 2020
Coronavirus Situation Summary

Guidance from World Health Organization (WHO):
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
March 23, 2020 | ASHRAE Letter to WHO

Guidance from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Guidance from Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH):
COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

Messages from ASHRAE

ASHRAE All Member Email Update
March 13, 2020 | ASHRAE All Member Email Update

ASHRAE Press Releases:
August 20, 2020 | Making Polling Places Safer
August 18, 2020 | ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Releases Updated Building Readiness Guide
July 22, 2020 | ASHRAE Introduces Updated Reopening Guide Schools and Universities
May 7, 2020 | ASHRAE Offers COVID-19 Building Readiness/Reopening Guidance
April 20, 2020 | ASHRAE Issues Statements on Relationship Between COVID-19 and HVAC in Buildings
April 20, 2020 | En Espanol
March 31, 2020 | ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Established
February 27, 2020 | ASHRAE Resources Available to Address COVID-19 Concerns

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force in the Media

Wired Magazine | November 18, 2020
Can You Get Covid-19 on an Airplane? Yeah, Probably
Bill Bahnfleth

ACHR News | November 16, 2020
Smart Technology Can Help HVAC Contractors Keep School Air Safe
Corey Metzger

WIRED | November 9, 2020
The Next Covid Dilemma: How to Make Buildings Breathe Better
Bill Bahnfleth

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

Reopening
Building Readiness | Schools and Universities | Energy Recovery | Guidance from Others

Building Readiness REV 10/20/2020

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Building Readiness (PDF)

General Information
Epidemic Conditions in Place (ECiP)
Post-Epidemic Conditions in Place (P-ECiP)
Schools and Universities | Return to Top REV 10/7/2020

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REOPENING SCHOOLS (PDF)

Introduction
- Introduction
Background and General Recommendations
- Background and General Recommendations
General Operations References
- General Operations References
Determining Building Readiness
Equipment & System Specific Checks
New/Modified Facility Design Recommendations
Filtration
- Operation of Occupied Facilities
- Controlling Infection Outbreak in School Facilities
Energy Recovery NEW 06/11/2020

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Energy Recovery (PDF)

The Practical Guidance for Epidemic Operation of Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems was created by TC 5.5 Air-to-Air Energy Recovery along with the Building Readiness Team to provide practical guidance on evaluating the energy recovery devices design, construction, and site analysis. This analysis is meant to be able to identify potential issues with ERVs, such as being considered leaky, so that they can be evaluated for operation during an epidemic.

This document includes guidance on the following items:
- Evaluation and on-site inspection of ERV systems in operational buildings
- ERV exchanger on-site inspections; all types, wheel specifics, and plate types
- Remediation of systems with ERV exchangers
- Re-commissioning ERV systems after an extended building shut-down
- Terminology
This also includes appendices that cover the following:
- Estimating total return air recirculation in operational HVAC systems with ERVs
- Dilution principle in outdoor air ventilation
- Exhaust Re-Entrainment Guide
The Exhaust Re-entrainment Guide was created by the Building Readiness Team to identify the concerns and potential methods to evaluate your systems for exhaust re-entrainment. This applies to units with and without ERVs but includes multiple methods to evaluate your systems.

Guidance from Others REV 06/02/2020

Links to helpful documents from other organizations:
Guidance from Others
Buildings
Healthcare | Residential | Residential Healthcare | Multifamily | Commercial | Schools and Universities | Laboratory

Healthcare REV 10/23/2020

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HEALTHCARE (PDF)

USACE | ASHRAE
Alternate Care Site HVAC Guidebook

Background Context | Return to Top of Healthcare
- Modes of Transmission/Aerobiology
- ASHRAE Statements on Airborne Transmission
- CDC recommends Airborne Infection Isolation rooms for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)
- Secondary Infection Susceptibility
- Committing Airborne Infection Isolation rooms for use as inpatient rooms limits future flexibility. Work with clinical staff to establish use requirements.
- Cohorting – Cautions and current methods
- ASHRAE members have provided input on Disaster Planning and Emergency Management for Healthcare Facilities. Partner on your local professional engineering partners for input and guidance during this time.
Goals | Return to Top of Healthcare
- 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.
Life Safety | Return to Top of Healthcare
- 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
Suggested Approaches | Return to Top of Healthcare
- Passive Isolation
- Strategically utilize AII Rooms
- Airflow from Clean to Less Clean
- Increase Filtration Level if possible
- Guidance on Recirculation and Increased Outside Air Fraction
- Maintain relative humidity at 40-60%
- Deactivate or by-pass heat recovery wheels
- Improve/Consider Room Airflow Direction/Patterns
- Utilize portable ante rooms/vestibules with HEPA filtration
- Utilize UV light (see Facilities/Maintenance – Disinfection)
- Areas for non-Covid patients should still be treated with care because someone could be unknowingly infected.
Specific "How-to" and Unique Areas | Return to Top of Healthcare
- Layered approach for normal and small surge operations
- Source Control Options for patient beds
- Operating on COVID-19 positive patient
- Variable Air Volume Adjustments & Modification to economizer or reduced recirc.
- Cautions on Recirculating Room Units (Fan coils, induction units, etc.)
- 2-person patient rooms – creating or managing existing
- Use Operating rooms for inpatient rooms/temp ICU
- Emergency Department
- Warning on Older ICU units
- Transmission through the air in toilet rooms
- Provide areas for safely doffing PPE, such as shoe cover removal followed by "tacky matts" for personnel exiting an area.
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Surge Areas | Return to Top of Healthcare
Facilities/Maintenance | Return to Top of Healthcare
- 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
Medical Gas/Vacuum Systems | Return to Top of Healthcare
Other | Return to Top of Healthcare
- 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
Residential | Return to Top

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RESIDENTIAL (PDF)

General Guidance | Return to Top of Residential Section
- Introduction
- General Guidance applicable to all homes
Additional Guidance | Return to Top of Residential Section
Residential Healthcare | Return to Top REV 11/17/2020

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RESIDENTIAL HEALTHCARE (PDF)

Facilities of Concern | Return to Top of Residential Care
- Long Term Care / Extended Care
- Post-Acute
Background / Context | Return to Top of Residential Care
- Modes of Transmission/ Aerobiology
- ASHRAE Statements on Airborn Transmission
- CDC recommends Airborne Infection Isolation rooms for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)
- Secondary Infection Susceptibility
- ASHRAE members have provided input on Disaster Planning and Emergency Management for Healthcare Facilities
- Partner on your local professional engineering partners for input and guidance during this time
Surface Cleaning and Disinfection | Return to Top of Residential Care
HVAC Solutions | Return to Top of Residential Care
Facility Maintenance | Return to Top of Residential Care
Future Facility Considerations | Return to Top of Residential Care
- HVAC
- Architecture
Acknowledgments | Return to Top of Residential Care
- Residential Health Team Members
- Healthcare Team Members
Guidance for Multifamily Building Owners/Managers                                         REV 07/24/2020

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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.

Commercial | Return to Top

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COMMERCIAL (PDF)   REV 08/17/2020
Schools and Universities | Return to Top

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SCHOOLS (PDF) REV 07/15/2020

Information on SARS-CoV-2
Reopening Schools and Universities Guidance

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REOPENING SCHOOLS (PDF) REV 10/07/2020
- View Guidance
Laboratory REV 11/12/2020
- ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Laboratory Subcommittee Guidance Document
Filtration/Disinfection
Filtration / Disinfection

Filtration / Disinfection REV 10/20/2020

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FILTRATION (PDF)

Background / Context
Facilities / Maintenance
Air Filtration
Air Disinfection
Surface Disinfection
Transportation
Transportation

Transportation

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TRANSPORTATION (PDF)

Introduction
- Overview
Guidance for Mass Transit Riders
Guidance for Mass Transit Operations, Rail and Bus
Guidance for Marine Passengers
- Procedures
- Ventilation and Air Distribution
Guidance for Marine Operators
Guidance for Air Passengers
- Face Masks
- Personal Air Outlets (PAO)
Guidance for Air Operators
Guidance for Transportation Facility Operation
Resources
Technical Committees | Training | Handbook | Standards | Conference and Journal Papers | Books | Scientific | Resources from Others

Information on these pages is provided as a service to the public. While every effort is made to provide accurate and reliable information, this is advisory, is provided for informational purposes only. These are not intended and should not be relied upon as official statements of ASHRAE.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Resources from ASHRAE and Others

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Questions? Email COVID-19@ashrae.orgFull ETF Roster

Guide to the COVID-19 Pages

Follow the links on the Infographic

Please support ASHRAE’s continuing work to combat the transmission of COVID-19Donate Now

Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions and Glossary of Terms

Messages from ASHRAE

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force in the Media

Building Readiness | Schools and Universities | Energy Recovery | Guidance from Others

Building Readiness REV 10/20/2020

General Information

Epidemic Conditions in Place (ECiP)

Post-Epidemic Conditions in Place (P-ECiP)

Schools and Universities | Return to Top REV 10/7/2020

Introduction

Background and General Recommendations

General Operations References

Determining Building Readiness

Equipment & System Specific Checks

New/Modified Facility Design Recommendations

Filtration

Energy Recovery NEW 06/11/2020

Guidance from Others REV 06/02/2020

Healthcare REV 10/23/2020

Background Context | Return to Top of Healthcare

Goals | Return to Top of Healthcare

Life Safety | Return to Top of Healthcare

Suggested Approaches | Return to Top of Healthcare

Specific "How-to" and Unique Areas | Return to Top of Healthcare

Surge Areas | Return to Top of Healthcare

Facilities/Maintenance | Return to Top of Healthcare

Medical Gas/Vacuum Systems | Return to Top of Healthcare

Other | Return to Top of Healthcare

Residential | Return to Top

General Guidance | Return to Top of Residential Section

Additional Guidance | Return to Top of Residential Section

Residential Healthcare | Return to Top REV 11/17/2020

Facilities of Concern | Return to Top of Residential Care

Background / Context | Return to Top of Residential Care

Surface Cleaning and Disinfection | Return to Top of Residential Care

HVAC Solutions | Return to Top of Residential Care

Facility Maintenance | Return to Top of Residential Care

Future Facility Considerations | Return to Top of Residential Care

Acknowledgments | Return to Top of Residential Care

Guidance for Multifamily Building Owners/Managers REV 07/24/2020

Introduction

Commercial | Return to Top

Schools and Universities | Return to Top

Information on SARS-CoV-2

Reopening Schools and Universities Guidance

Laboratory REV 11/12/2020

Filtration / Disinfection REV 10/20/2020

Background / Context

Facilities / Maintenance

Air Filtration

Air Disinfection

Surface Disinfection

Transportation

Introduction

Guidance for Mass Transit Riders

Guidance for Mass Transit Operations, Rail and Bus

Guidance for Marine Passengers

Guidance for Marine Operators

Guidance for Air Passengers

Guidance for Air Operators

Guidance for Transportation Facility Operation

Technical Committees | Training | Handbook | Standards | Conference and Journal Papers | Books | Scientific | Resources from Others

Questions?
Email COVID-19@ashrae.org

Full ETF Roster

Please support ASHRAE’s continuing work to
combat the transmission of COVID-19

Donate Now