ATLANTA, Ga. July 22, 2020 – The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on the operation of HVAC systems to help mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic year. COVID 19 Task Force. The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force works to deploy technical resources to address the challenges of current and future epidemics related to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and disease transmission in indoor environments. ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Laboratory Subcommittee Guidance Document November 12, 2020 . The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE’s technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments. •Continued operation of all systems is recommended during occupied hours. The task force will also provide recommendations for setting up temporary field hospitals in convention centers, arenas and indoor stadia to deal with surges. the Buildings Guidance on the ASHRAE Covid-19 Website. One Page Guidance for Reopening Schools August 20, 2020 En Español The task force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE's technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments. Retired, Corresponding/Nonvoting Members Walid Chakroun, Ph.D., ASHRAE Government Affairs Committee Wade Conlan, P.E., ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee Dennis Knight, P.E., ASHRAE Board of Directors  Jay Kohler, P.E., chair, ASHRAE Technical Activities Committee Wayne Stoppelmoor, CEM, chair, ASHRAE Standards Committee, “ASHRAE is a global, grassroots organization of more than 57,000 members in 130 countries, so we have boots on the ground around the world. The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE’s technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of … ASHRAE Task Force Updates 'Building Readiness Guide' Like schools, commercial buildings are anxious to reopen safely. ASHRAE Establishes Epidemic Task Force The task force will address the challenges of the current COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission. “The Building Readiness Guide includes additional information and clarifications so that owners can avoid operating their HVAC systems 24/7,” said Wade Conlan, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Building Readiness Team lead. The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE’s technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments. For more information and to stay up-to-date on ASHRAE, visit ashrae.org and connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE's technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in health-care facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments. With more than 50,000 members from over 132 nations, ASHRAE is a diverse organization dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. When called upon by circumstances to assist in situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, they act within their spheres of competence to do whatever they can to help.”. •Outside air for ventilation should be increased to as much as the HVAC system can accommodate. Questions and requests for technical guidance and interpretations should be submitted to the following email address:  COVID-19@ashrae.org. Prepping Schools: ASHRAE Task Force Update Guidelines. “The task force’s approach to protecting indoor air quality in polling place is practical, and can help safeguard voters, poll workers and other building occupants as most sites are shared locations that serve many different purposes,” said Luke Leung, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force commercial/retail team lead. Specific updated recommendations to the building readiness guidance include the following: The guidance still addresses the tactical commissioning and systems analysis to develop a Building Readiness Plan, increased filtration, air cleaning strategies, domestic and plumbing water systems, and overall improvements to a systems ability to mitigate virus transmission. As an industry leader in research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE and its members are dedicated to promoting a healthy and sustainable built environment for all, through strategic partnerships with organizations in the HVAC&R community and across related industries. ATLANTA (July 22, 2020) – The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on the operation of HVAC systems to help mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic year. Officers, Directors, Councils, Committees, Staff, Science and Technology for the Built Environment, Instructor-Led Training Seminar and Short Courses, Self-Directed Learning / Group Learning Texts, IAQ 2020: Indoor Environmental Quality Performance Approaches, The Fourth International Conference on Efficient Building Design, 2020 Building Performance Analysis Conference & SimBuild, 2021 Virtual Design and Construction Conference, Criteria for Annual Conference City Selection, Winter, Annual, & Virtual Conference Sponsorship Opportunities, ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017 -- Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, Serving as a clearinghouse to review all technical questions and requests for technical guidance submitted to ASHRAE, Coordinating activities of ASHRAE’s internal resources, Partnering with and monitoring the activities of external organizations, including the more than 60 members of the, Reviewing, organizing, consolidating and publishing clear and concise summaries with citations of the most relevant information available to the built environment. “By rolling out this updated guidance, we are hoping to provide a more robust structure for building owners to complete the objectives of their Building Readiness Plan and anticipate the needs of building occupants.”. About ASHRAE Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is a global professional society committed to serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields. ATLANTA, Ga. (August 18, 2020) – As many buildings are preparing to reopen during this pandemic, the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has updated its reopening "Building Readiness" guidance for HVAC systems to help mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. ASHRAE said in a Press release that the task force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE’s technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics, as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments. “The Building Readiness Guide includes additional information and clarifications so that owners can avoid operating … An extensive presentation has been prepared and is being presented to various groups and organizations, including ASHRAE chapters. ASHRAE's Epidemic Task Force offers new guidance for how HVAC systems can help to mitigate virus transmission. The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE’s technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments. nd. ASHRAE is celebrating 125 years of shaping the built environment. ASHRAE announced a society-wide effort to respond to the current global COVID-19 pandemic and provide guidance on how to ensure that buildings are prepared for future epidemics. They have addressed some of the methods that are available, while also emphasizing that temperature and humidity conditions must still be maintained. 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