Experts examined reduced pathogen transmission using a building’s original mechanical design, original installation, design intent, and proper maintenance in a new white paper.
Return Ductwork Requirement for Airborne Pathogens Through the Airstream, discusses two approaches: pressure barriers and airflow distribution. The paper looks at the pros and cons of using the cavity above a finished ceiling as a return air plenum combined with supply air to the air handler as a proper ventilation technique.
Considerations include how ventilation systems affect the health and well-being of building occupants. A ceiling plenum provides some fan-specific energy efficiency and reduced material and labor costs, but it could put occupants and workers at risk and result in unintended energy losses. An open ceiling plenum is difficult to clean and disinfect, while ductwork can be easily cleaned.
A ducted return system allows a testing, adjusting, and balancing professional to adjust room pressures and airflow patterns to accommodate a change in use or mitigate pathogen transmission during a pandemic. Authors of the white paper include members of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Technical Committee 5.2 Duct Design.
Related Stories
| Jun 28, 2012
Top building material executive urges building resilience in sustainability standards
A meeting of 1,000 business executives at the recent Rio+20 environmental conference featured a passionate plea to include building resilience in efforts to boost sustainability.
| Jun 28, 2012
Following spate of skyscraper balcony glass panel breakages, Ontario adopts code change
Ontario's housing minister announced new building code rules to help prevent glass panels from breaking off high-rise balconies during hot weather.
| Jun 28, 2012
Factory worker deaths in Italy raise questions on building codes after earthquakes
Italian officials are questioning seismic building standards and inspection procedures in the aftermath of two damaging earthquakes.
| Jun 21, 2012
Brazilian engineering/construction firm Odebrecht sues Florida over ban on companies doing business in Cuba
Odebrecht Construction Inc., a Brazilian engineering and construction company, is suing the State of Florida over a new law that bans governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.
| Jun 21, 2012
String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario
Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.
| Jun 21, 2012
California adds window film to building code
California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.
| Jun 21, 2012
New ISO standard to improve environmental management of concrete
A new ISO standard will help the construction industry better manage the environmental impacts of concrete.
| Jun 21, 2012
On net-zero projects, Building Teams will be held accountable for energy-efficiency performance
The building team will be held accountable for how net-zero energy buildings perform two, five, and maybe ten years after completion.
