Condo Media - December 2020 - 32

Recalibrating " NORMAL "
REDUCE THE SPREAD
HVAC systems are critical components in suppressing the spread
of COVID-19 from one building
occupant to another. Making the following operational changes to your
HVAC system, as well as supplemental
technologies designed to disinfect the
air and surfaces, has the potential to
significantly curb the spread of the
virus within your building.
Dilution
Maintaining minimum recommended
air changes (exhausting inside air and
replacing it with fresh outside air)
per hour is critical to maintain proper
indoor air quality. However, more outside air brought into a building means
more air that needs to be conditioned
(heated or cooled) and more money
spent on electricity, gas, steam,
maintenance, etc.
Traditionally, building operators ensure adequate IAQ (indoor air quality)
by mixing indoor and outdoor air before
recirculating it through the building.
However, with the higher IAQ needed
to suppress the virus, building operators should employ a dilution strategy.
Dilution is the process of decreasing
the concentrations of indoor contaminants by diluting interior spaces with
outside air. The American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) released
the following recommendations regarding dilution ventilation and COVID-19:
Open outdoor air dampers to
100 percent (as indoor and
outdoor conditions permit)
Disable demand control
ventilation and energy
recovering systems
Enable outside air economizer
mode and increase minimum
outside air settings.
Maintain relative humidity between
40 percent and 60 percent.

32

CONDOMEDIA December 2020

Dilution is the process of decreasing the
concentrations of indoor contaminants
by diluting interior spaces with outside air.
Check airﬂow to larger areas such
as lobbies, conference rooms, gyms,
and other shared spaces.
Maintain proper pressurization
(both building pressure and
toilet exhaust).
Air ﬂush the building two hours
before and post occupancy every
day. This includes operating the
exhaust fans as well as opening
the outside air dampers.
Germicidal Ultraviolet Light
Germicidal UV (GUV) refers to using
short-wave ultraviolet radiant energy
to inactivate viral, bacterial, and fungal
organisms so they are unable to replicate
and potentially cause disease. When the
process is applied in a given location,
it is generally referred to as ultraviolet
germicidal irradiation (UVGI). There
are three main types of UVGI; At the Air
Handling Unit (AHU) Coil Cleaning,
Upper-room UVGI, and Portable UVGI.
Upper-room and portable UVGI can be
implemented in various parts of a building or only in high risk areas. UGVI is a
proven and effective inactivation method
for mold, bacteria, and viruses in the air
and on surfaces. When employed at the

AHU coils, UV helps maintain system
efficiency and airﬂow, saving energy and
money. When using UVGI, operators
must strictly follow protocols to reduce
exposure to UVGI light, as it can cause
serious harm to eyes and skin.
Bipolar Ionization
Bipolar ionization (BPI) technology releases negatively and positively charged
atoms that attach to and deactivate
harmful substances like viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, and volatile organic
compounds (VOC's) in the air and on
surfaces. BPI has been laboratory tested
to be effective at killing or deactivating
a myriad of viruses and bacteria and
is presumed highly effective against
SARS-CoV-2.
With building operators, property
managers, and associations facing
many challenges as they reopen, the
recommendations above provide added
savings and ensure a safer indoor environment for employees, customers,
and residents.
QCHUCK HURCHALLA,
IS PRESIDENT OF EVOLUTION
ENERGY PARTNERS.
Condo Media - December 2020

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