ASHRAE Journal Supplement - AMCA InMotion - October 2020 - 44

A M C A M I D D L E E A S T U P D AT E

By HASSAN YOUNES

COVID-19 Calls Attention to Indoor-Air Quality
As buildings in the Middle East that were

entities addressing the airborne transmission of SARS-

closed because of the coronavirus disease

CoV-2 in buildings. This will depend greatly on whether

2019 (COVID-19) pandemic reopen, we are

the WHO changes its stance on the matter.

seeing intensifying focus on indoor-air

We have, unfortunately, seen some energy-efﬁciency

quality-speciﬁcally, an increase in projects involving the

projects put on hold because of building closures. As

upgrade of ﬁltration, the addition of ultraviolet ﬁ xtures,

buildings reopen, I believe we will see a comeback of

and the use of portable ﬁlters, all measures to reduce the

such projects.

possibility of airborne transmission.

I also believe there will be a focus on the residential

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not

sector, which has seen an increase in consumption and

consider airborne transmission a primary means of SARS-

a decrease in rents, which is the best formula for energy-

CoV-2-the virus that causes COVID-19-spread. Following

efﬁciency projects.

publication of an open letter signed by 239 experts from

The governments around the Gulf Cooperation Council

around the world arguing the virus lingers in the air,

(GCC) still are pushing their energy-efﬁciency and demand-

however, the WHO is reconsidering and investigating

side-management (DSM) agendas. With the launch of the

airborne transmission. In the near future, I expect there

Abu Dhabi Energy Services Co. and the perseverance of

will be guidelines and recommendations from government

the Dubai and Saudi Super ESCOs, I believe the retroﬁt
sector will continue growing. The renewable-energy sector

Advertisers Index

also will see growth as we approach 2030, which is a
major milestone for DSM for many cities around the GCC.

ADVERTISING SALES ASHRAE JOURNAL
1791 Tullie Circle NE | Atlanta, GA 30329
P: 404-636-8400 | F: 404-321-5478 | www.ashrae.org

A pillar of many of the DSM strategies of GCC cities,
building codes are being revised to increase the efﬁciency
of new construction. The need for net-zero-energy build-

Director of ASHRAE Publications & Education
Mark S. Owen | E-mail: mowen@ashrae.org
Associate Publisher, ASHRAE Media Advertising
Greg Martin | E-mail: gmartin@ashrae.org
Senior Coordinator-Advertising Production and Operations
Vanessa Johnson | E-mail: vjohnson@ashrae.org

ings is increasing, with construction of the ﬁ rst net-zero
government building in Dubai under way. With a gross
ﬂoor area of 105,000 sq m, Dubai Electricity and Water
Authority's (DEWA's) new headquarters, Al-Shera'a, will
be the largest net-zero-energy building in the world.
Whether a project falls under the new-construction

Company ..................Page

Company ..................Page

2021 AHR Expo................... 40

Loren Cook Co. ...............CV 2

resilience, and energy efﬁciency will be looked at almost

Aire Technologies Inc. ....... 43

Loren Cook Co. .................. 41

equally, with occupant well-being perhaps getting a bit

American Ultraviolet .......... 21

Mars Air Systems ............... 38

Berner International ........... 42

Nailor Industries Inc. .......... 16

Big Ass Fans ...................... 15

The New York Blower Co. ..CV 3

applying minimum-qualiﬁcations requirements when

ebm-papst ............................ 9

Pottorff ............................... 27

selecting a facility-management company.

Greenheck .......................... 33

Ruskin ................................... 5

Greenheck .......................CV 4

Systemair............................ 37

BCxP, CHD, CEM, CMVP, LEED AP, PQP, is co-founder and

Howden............................... 40

UV Resources .................... 39

director of GRFN and president of ASHRAE Falcon Chapter.

or the retroﬁt category, occupant well-being, building

more attention. As a result, there will be more focus on
building-operation-related regulations, training of oper-

44

2020 A M CA i n m o t i o n

ations-and-maintenance personnel, certiﬁcation, and

Hassan Younes, HBDP, BEAP, OPMP, HFDP, BEMP, CPMP,

w w w. a m c a .o r g
http://www.ashrae.org http://www.amca.org
ASHRAE Journal Supplement - AMCA InMotion - October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal Supplement - AMCA InMotion - October 2020
