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Mitigating Airborne Infectious Diseases
One Step At A Time
According to medical professional experts and other health authorities, airborne infectious diseases including COVID-19 can be transmitted not only by large droplets which come from coughing, sneezing, or yelling, but by smaller droplets called aerosols. Aerosols stay suspended in the air and travel longer distances than large droplets, especially when carried by air currents or HVAC ducts.
That's where we come in.
In these unprecedented times, it’s crucial that hospitals, senior living
facilities, schools and classrooms, conferencing, and commercial offices take necessary action in making sure all patients, residents, students, and staff are properly protected.
Considering these risks, ASHRAE has provided detailed guidance on how to prevent airborne transmission of diseases. Each building and its systems are unique, but there are general principles that can be applied to prevent airborne transmission:
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Increasing ventilation with outdoor air, while reducing indoor air recirculation.
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Replacing air filters with more efficient units, such as MERV 13 or higher.
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Keeping relative humidity between 40% and 60%, since this range minimizes the transmission of viruses and bacteria.
The detailed guidance set by ASHRAE is made possible by our highly skilled and professional team. FacTech provides specialized expertise and services to limit contaminants that can escape and ultimately put the health of all parties at risk:
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Site Assessment
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Site Inspections & Field Reports
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Detailed Site Survey
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Facilitated Owner and A/E Team Design Process
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Project Plan and Systems Conceptualization
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Plan Development
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Systems Integration
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Specification Development
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Product and Material Selections
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Bid Procurement
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Contractor Selection Process
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Construction Management
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Construction Contract Preparation
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Project Close-Out
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New Construction Commissioning
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Digital Archiving
Whether it is project management, commissioning, or anything in between, these duties play a vital role in keeping our environment safe, now more than ever. Looking beyond current needs for testing, this pandemic has solidified the fact that buildings need to be designed and operated for resiliency and occupant health without sacrificing efficiency. When our team is brought into the project, they help ensure the building owner’s goals and intent are embedded in design and executed in construction. This can help ensure all goals, from occupant health to energy efficiency, are met at every phase of the project.