Over the last couple years we have learned so much about the complexities of clean indoor air in large commercial buildings! There's much to do and it takes time and planning. We know it's worth it to keep building occupants healthy during wildfire smoke season.
The EPA has accelerated it's efforts to provide information and guidance. Instead of re-creating all this, we highly recommend you head HERE! But keep reading for our favorites.
Our own colleague Tom Javins is a key author of this excellent deep dive: Planning Framework for Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire Events.
We find the new guidance developed by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) of value. They encourage building operators/owners to develop Smoke Readiness Plan with 10 elements.
The ASHRAE Planning Framework recommends a written, building- specific Smoke Readiness Plan that includes:
The EPA has accelerated it's efforts to provide information and guidance. Instead of re-creating all this, we highly recommend you head HERE! But keep reading for our favorites.
Our own colleague Tom Javins is a key author of this excellent deep dive: Planning Framework for Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire Events.
We find the new guidance developed by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) of value. They encourage building operators/owners to develop Smoke Readiness Plan with 10 elements.
The ASHRAE Planning Framework recommends a written, building- specific Smoke Readiness Plan that includes:
- Purchase smoke preparation supplies such as portable air cleaners and extra filters.
- Evaluate the ability of the HVAC System to handle a higher efficiency filter, like MERV 13 or higher.
- Conduct a full maintenance check on the HVAC system and make repairs if needed.
- Assess and maintain adequate air flows to protect occupant health and equipment during smoke events.
- Prepare to add supplemental filtration at the intake air vent where possible.
- Assess filter conditions by adding a port or pressure gauge to measure the filter pressure drop on at least one air- handling unit.
- Weatherize the building to limit smoke intrusion. Consider measures such as limiting allowable entrances to reduce smoke entry.
- Prepare to monitor indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by purchasing one or more low-cost air sensors designed to measure the pollutant. These low-cost sensors can show trends in PM2.5 levels.
- Determine how to create temporary cleaner air spaces within the building.
- Reduce sources of indoor PM2.5 such as cooking, vacuum cleaning, use of printers or copiers and smoking.
More to come!