Condo Media - September 2020 - 35

such as Legionnaires' disease. All
buildings' ventilation and air flow are
different, even similar buildings built
by the same contractor. Property managers and boards should ask for more
air quality guidance from their HVAC
service provider about potential air dilution improvements to these systems.
Questions to ask:
n Can outside air be introduced
into the ventilation system?
n Should operable windows
be opened more?
n Should reversing the pressurization
of the building be considered?
n Can air filtration be improved?
HVAC systems in the past emphasized
energy conservation. Though laudable
from an environmental point of view,
this can lead to unhealthy building
air, sometimes called "sick building

NANOBUBBLE TREATMENTS

syndrome." Determining how a building naturally breathes is measured
by engineers in air changes per hour
(ACHs). Older buildings with an ACH
of over seven are not energy efficient,
but have healthier air. Modern buildings have an ACH in the range of four
to six. Improvements in air quality can
be made by adding energy recovery
equipment to the ventilation system.
Also, outside air can be increased by
opening HVAC dampers and eliminating recirculation of indoor air. Common restroom vent fans can be left
running for longer. Some HVAC systems allow the whole building to flush
the inside air in common spaces. Hallway pressurization should be sufficient
to prevent air from infected units from
flowing into corridors. Circulation fans
should run 24/7.
Any discussion of air quality must
include consideration of air filtration.
An easy fix is to inspect air duct systems
for leaks and replace air filters more
frequently with proper fitting filters.

FLOATING FOUNTAINS

This is a much-overlooked problem
called "filter bypass," as even a narrow
gap at the edge of a filter can lose over
20 percent of unfiltered air. Also, filter
quality matters. Insist on nothing less
than a MERV 13 type of air filter. There
has been some debate over whether
HEPA filters are suitable for stopping
the COVID-19 virus. The answer is that
HEPA filters work. According to NASA,
a HEPA filter captures air particles
down to 0.1 microns. The size of the
COVID-19 virus is 0.125 microns.
The future is now, and the past is only
moments ago. Over the last six months,
we have re-learned an uncomfortable
truth, some people can unwittingly
cause us serious health issues. The same
with some buildings, of which we have
more control.
n JACK CARR, P.E., RS, LEED-AP,
IS A SENIOR CONSULTING ENGINEER
FOR CRITERIUM-ENGINEERS IN
FREEPORT, MAINE, AND A MEMBER
OF THE CONDO MEDIA BOARD.

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September 2020 CONDOMEDIA

Condo Media - September 2020

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