ASHRAE publishes Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols

trade war between the United States and China is one of the main factors clouding Chinese HVAC exports. SEMI – the Global Electronics Suppliers Association – has been monitoring the situation. It is concerned about a potential disruption that could jeopardise access to global markets, essential for maintaining free and open trade. Currently, many different consumer goods are manufactured in whole or in part in China. While the new tariffs aim to stop importing consumer goods from China, this may also affect semiconductor supply. They are essential for producing consumer electronics. As the cost of semiconductors increases, electronic circuits are likely to rise, making ACs more expensive.

Society calls it a significant advancement in reducing the risk of disease transmission in buildings

Edited by CCME Content Team

ASHRAE said it has published its pioneering consensus-based, code-enforceable standard, developed to reduce the risk of infectious aerosol transmission in buildings.

expand capacity, and quantitative quality is more important than quantity. The degree of impact of the trade war on different industries varies. For example, supply issues in semiconductors will quickly drive the development of domestic chips rapidly, and this global high-tech push is also beneficial in the long run.” control design and operations is introduced.

Counting Goals Beyond The Great Wall

• Requirements for Equivalent Clean Airflow Rate – Sets requirements for equivalent clean airflow rate target per occupant of pathogen free air flow, reducing the risk of infection.

The ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols, establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission, such as SARS-COV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, the flu virus and other pathogens in buildings, like single- and multi-family homes, offices, schools and healthcare facilities, ASHRAE said. The standard applies to new and existing buildings and major renovations and provides requirements for many

Nevertheless, Chinese manufacturers are bullish about the future. “Crisis and opportunity coexist at any time,” the Dunli spokesperson says. “At present, there are many factors affecting the growth of export volume. Our company believes companies should not blindly

Gas aspects of air system design, installation, operation and maintenance, ASHRAE said.

According to ASHRAE, important topics addressed in the standard are:

• Infection Risk Management Mode (IRMM) – Establishes requirements for an infection risk management mode (IRMM), which applies during identified periods of elevated disease transmission risk. Authorities having jurisdiction can determine when the enhanced protections of Standard 241 are required. Resilience (the ability to respond to extreme circumstances outside normal conditions) in Indoor Air Quality

The global chip shortage has also affected equipment manufacturers. Wen says: “In the last year, chip shortage has been a key issue. Fortunately, because we have a massive manufacturing capacity in China, that has a competitive supply chain to support our manufacturing process. We are paying extra attention to optimising our supply chain and choosing suppliers who ensure sustainable chip supply.” Meanwhile, Midea, apart from making a certain number of reserves of imported brands, is moving to domestic production to shorten the supply cycle.

Chinese manufacturers have lofty dreams. They are looking at ramping up product development and establishing a striking brand image. Elaborating on Hisense’s regional targets, Dick Shi, General Manager of Hisense HVAC Middle East, says, “Hisense HVAC Middle East wants to be among the Top 3 AC providers in the region by 2025. In addition to working with partners in the ecosystems, we would like to support the region in achieving their sustainability goals by improving the energy efficiency of products approved by Barjeel, Saafat, ADQCC and ESMA.”

• Requirements for Use of Filtration and Air Cleaning Technology –Provides extensive requirements for use of filtration and air cleaning (such as HEPA filters, air ionizers or UV lights) to achieve equivalent clean airflow requirements and be costeffective, effectively and safely.

• Planning and Commissioning –Provides assessment and planning requirements for being ready for the times when there is an event with increased disease-causing pathogen transmissions. The standard has a building-readiness plan that documents procedures for assessing existing or new HVAC systems to determine if they are working properly and attributing to the equivalent clean air delivered to spaces.

Lee expects the regional projects market to pick up the pace. He says that even with soaring prices of bulk raw materials, the annual year-on-year growth has also achieved a year-onyear increase of 25% in 2022. He is emphatic when he says, “I believe this trend will continue.”