flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Steps to improve ventilation for Covid can combat colds and flu

Codes and Standards

Steps to improve ventilation for Covid can combat colds and flu

New look at airborne disease spread shows time viruses linger in air may have been underestimated.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | September 21, 2021
Ceiling ventilation

Courtesy Pixabay

The way viruses spread from human to human is being reevaluated by scientists and that may have an impact on future ventilation standards.

At the outset of the Covid-19 outbreak, the prevailing belief was that the virus was spread via droplets that quickly dropped out of the air. As researchers studied the virus, however, they realized that it was likely spread via aerosols—smaller, lighter particles that travel further than six feet and can linger in the air in poorly ventilated spaces.

Colds and flu have been thought to be primarily spread via droplets, as well, as they hold more viruses than aerosols. But studies have found that a smaller amount of influenza virus is needed to infect people when inhaled as aerosols rather than sprayed up the nose as saliva droplets.

If this view is correct, improved ventilation could greatly reduce transmission of colds and flu viruses as well as Covid. For this reason, some believe new minimum ventilation standards in buildings should be enacted especially when one considers some 12,000 to 61,000 people annually succumb to the flu.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Jul 28, 2021

Higher ed faces infrastructure backlog of $112.3 billion

Study recommends integrated strategic planning for best results.

Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2021

Add a wobbly moon to flooding risk factors

Earth satellite’s orbit variations will lead to sunny-day flooding in the mid-2030s.

Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2021

Revamping of Florida building codes on the table after condo collapse

Tragedy could prompt upgrades like post-Hurricane Andrew effort.

Codes and Standards | Jul 21, 2021

Proposal to give Calif. hospitals more time for earthquake retrofits stirs controversy

State hospital association says 2030 deadline should be extended.

Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2021

New York, New Jersey legislatures may revamp bidding rules to promote low-carbon concrete

Contractors would have to certify that their concrete is in compliance.

Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2021

Lack of information on carbon emissions challenges construction industry

Reports recommends whole-life carbon assessments on building projects.

Codes and Standards | Jul 15, 2021

Three drywall code-referenced publications have been updated

Include guidance on fire resistance, sound control, application, and finishing.

Codes and Standards | Jul 14, 2021

Biden’s infrastructure proposal includes massive investment in school buildings

‘Once in a lifetime opportunity’ to upgrade HVAC and other key systems.

Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2021

Reluctance to fund maintenance on older condos is a serious problem

Owner associations defer needed work, putting properties at risk.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Government Buildings

OSHA’s proposed heat standard published in Federal Register

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a proposed standard addressing heat illness in outdoor and indoor settings in the Federal Register. The proposed rule would require employers to evaluate workplaces and implement controls to mitigate exposure to heat through engineering and administrative controls, training, effective communication, and other measures.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021