This is the Air I Breathe!

Are our surrounding places ready for the crowds post lockdown / CMCO?

In our first article “How safe is the air you breathe?”, we laid out the importance of designing ventilation systems with health and wellbeing in mind, and how a poorly designed ventilation system could lead to propagation of infections. Unfortunately, most of the places we used to visit and will start to visit more frequently post lockdown / CMCO do not consider this in the design of their ventilation systems.

We are now more informed that the spread of COVID-19 is mainly from person to person, primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Various researchers have conceded that poor ventilation coupled with density of restaurant crowds are the probable cause of the virus outbreak there. Several other studies in different countries also mentioned that poor ventilation will increase chances of infection indoors.

That brings us to the next question for cautious consideration - are our surrounding places ready for the crowds post lockdown / CMCO? If you look at your own space, be it your home or office, most likely you will find wall mounted or ceiling cassette air-conditioners (AC) are installed. Most of these AC units are running in full re-circulation mode, and therefore not connected for fresh air intake. Without additional mechanical ventilation to either introduce fresh air intake or filter pollutants in the air, airborne pollutants in the air will be re-circulated and spread within the confined space, possibly even spread to adjacent space.

How important is ventilation systems in preventing the infectious spread of COVID-19 virus?

A research on COVID-19 found that next to social distancing, ventilation is the second most significant part of preventing infectious virus spread. Therefore, having proper ventilation with sufficient fresh air intake is crucial for our human health.

Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, who runs an institute at the University of Oregon focused on creating buildings supportive of human health, stresses the importance of diluting indoor air, emphasising the need for increasing air exchange rates within commercial buildings so more outside, fresh air is pumped in.

If fresh air intake is so important for our human health, why then do most of our buildings not have proper implementation in mechanical ventilation and AC design? Realistic as it may, cost plays a huge factor in the design consideration to bring in extra fresh air and exhaust.

Just think about most of the places you visit: The air-conditioning system is usually running in full circulation mode. Why is that so? This is because bringing in extra fresh air and exhaust will increase

1. Consumption rate for AC (i.e. we have to increase AC capacity)

2. Cost (extra cost required for fans, ducting, grilles and etc)

Hence, most business owners decide to go for the most basic solution which is to install AC and nothing else. This has unfortunately become a trend across Asia, where most people do not value minimum outdoor air requirements in their indoor settings.

How ready is your business premise or office for valued staff or customers post MCO?

Now that you and I know how crucial a proper ventilation system is to combat the infectious spread of droplet transmitted virus, how do you ensure the safety and wellbeing of your staff and increase the confidence of customers who visit your premises? How do you provide assurance for those who continuously support your business?

Here’s where we could help you out with the best practices in a well-designed ventilation.

i)The space/room is designed with minimum outdoor air intake based on the number of

people and the type of activity conducted within the space/room.

ii) General exhaust is important for removal of airborne pollution from the space/room.

Of course, the minimum outdoor air intake is used to compensate for the exhausted air,

hence it is also often known as fresh air.

iii) AC is designed and selected based on proper heat load calculation (NO rule of

thumb based on per meter square of area) which also includes heat load of outdoor air.

iv) A good designer/consultant/specialist will develop a proper design with correct air

distribution strategy. This refers to how air is moved into and out of your building without

cross-contamination! Low displacement ventilation will be a good strategy for new

designs where we introduce AC at low levels and allow hot air and pollutants to be

displaced or exhausted at higher levels. This also reduces draught air (strong air

current) blowing towards us (which increases risks of exposures) and also reduces

mixing of pollutants with new fresh air in the room/space.

v) Ventilating the air itself is not enough. We highly recommend a continuous Air &

Surface Sterilizing system to eliminate any potential risks of bacteria and viruses that

may remain on surfaces for longer hours.

Everyone deserves a better indoor environment! This is where we spend most of our time. Today, as we step into the new norm, proper ventilation becomes increasingly important in ensuring business survivability. The choice is yours to provide a better indoor environment for yourself, your valued staff and customers through a properly designed ventilation system in your premise.

Let’s play our part to be ready for ourselves, our loved ones, our valued staff and customers by providing a proper ventilation with adequate fresh air intake in combating the infectious spread of droplet transmitted virus. Every effort counts!

Contact www.zcs-asia.com today for a quick indoor ventilation assessment of your office / building / restaurant! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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References:

1. https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/resources