Back to Work: What Facilities Staff Can Do Right Now Offices are virtually empty, as are classrooms, museums, performing arts venues, fitness centers, and those weekend destinations we’d all like to visit. We don’t know when our buildings will next see occupancy. But before we go back, here are some things we’d like to see these facilities consider, and some practical actions many of our clients are already taking, for our health and wellness.
The intended audience for this publication is Facility Management – the building engineers, operators, property managers, who keep our infrastructure running behind the scenes. HGA is producing an accompanying document that focuses on more specific changes to the Workplace. Watch for this to be posted soon at: https://hga.com/experiencing-covid-19-coronavirus-through-the-design-lens/
Key Messages & Takeaways Ventilation with clean air, particulate filtration and UVGI treatment reduces viral transmission. Keep HVAC systems operating and increase ventilation rates if the system allows.
Besides disinfection, facilities managers are actively maintaining building systems to: •
Replace air filters in HVAC systems
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Monitor ventilation and exhaust rates
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Review occupancy patterns, and potentially at-risk populations
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Ensure regular water flow in all domestic water piping (hot and cold) to eliminate stagnant water that could lead to other health impacts (i.e., legionella)
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Maintain floor traps in plumbing systems to prevent dry trap and sewer smells
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Regular cleaning, even antimicrobial surfaces
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Test electrical systems while the facility is in reduced demand, coordinating with tenant IT groups so as not to disrupt WFH connections
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UV lights for portable disinfection by custodial in areas of concern
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Floor and carpet cleaning
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Painting projects, hallway restorations
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Remove public seating to encourage social distancing
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Continue regular custodial activities within the building to retain workers
Humidity levels between 40-60% RH may reduce infection rates. Balance increased ventilation rates with maintaining indoor humidity levels, and avoid condensation.
Antimicrobial surfaces, like copper, may be more effective on high-touch surfaces than conventional disinfection methods alone. Perform a walk-through to document high frequency touch-points. Then evaluate cleaning program and effective antimicrobial surfaces.
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What are facility managers doing in our nearly vacant buildings during widespread WFH?
Isolating potential sources of the virus is important.
Handwashing further reduces the spread of viruses on surfaces
Document a plan to support social distancing.
Make it easy for people to find a handwashing station, wash their hands, and dry with paper towels.
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How will building design change as a result of COVID-19?
Lighting fixtures and controls can reduce germicidal transmission: •
System design strategies that can actively reduce transmission between occupants: Prioritize ventilation and control air mixing in the HVAC system: •
Consider underfloor air distribution (UFAD) for improved ventilation effectiveness.
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Consider systems that condition the air locally, fed with centralized dedicated outside air system (DOAS), i.e., Fan Powered Induction Units (FPIU with DOAS).
HVAC and Building Envelope design to maintain 40-60% RH inside: •
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Research shows reduced risk of infections when relative humidity is maintained between 40-60%. HVAC systems can add or remove humidity. However, especially in cold climates, building envelope design is crucial to avoid moisture problems - warm moist air inside the building can condense inside exterior walls and cause other serious health problems. Evaluate exterior walls and windows to maintain safe indoor humidity levels.
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Evaluate visible light disinfection luminaires, which emit at 405 nanometer wavelength, for fitness centers, food prep and other surfacesensitive environments.
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Copper cover plates for antimicrobial properties.
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Consider materials that are inherently antimicrobial, but avoid materials that have antimicrobial surface treatments. Surface treatments are generally considered less effective.
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Capacitive cover plates for less grooves and improved cleanability.
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More wipeable or washable fabrics and diffusers for decorative lighting. Fewer open cove and light reveals due to maintenance.
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Technology to use voice and gesture recognition for touch-free as a touch-free interface.
Technology systems to reduce touchpoints: •
Touchless automatic door operators for contactless entry/exit.
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App-based temperature and lighting controls so everyone will use their own personal devices.
DECREASE IN BAR WIDTH INDICATES DECREASE IN EFFECT
OPTIMUM ZONE BACTERIA
IT and networked systems to advance virtual meetings and work sessions:
VIRUSES
FUNGI
MITES
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Deployment of more video conferencing and lecture capture systems to allow for remote participants.
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Live streaming options built into performance venues.
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS* ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND ASTHMA CHEMICAL INTERACTIONS OZONE PRODUCTION 0
10
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50
60
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RELATIVE HUMIDITY % * Insufficient data above 50% rh
More frequent WFH–pandemic or not! •
Supportive workspace occupancy tracking to automatically mark where staff are seated or working remotely.
Fig. 1: Optimum Humidity Range for Human Comfort and Health Reference: 2016 ASHRAE Handbook—HVAC Systems and Equipment
April 15, 2020
Health & Wellness will be an even stronger driver for company success.
The WELL Building Standard® is a great resource for evidence-based design strategies, including: •
HVAC filtration
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UV light disinfection in the air handler/ductwork
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Material selection for durability/cleanability
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Material selection for infection control at high touch surfaces
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Handwashing stations (including paper towels)
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Cleaning procedures, and specifications for cleaning products
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Learn from design standards and practices from health care settings: •
Rimless integral sinks
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Thoroughly cleanable corner details
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Greater attention to how finishes are joined to eliminate microbial harbors
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Need continued research to evaluate building design impact on health and wellness
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Our buildings should be one of our strongest public health interventions
Consider operable windows to boost ventilation. •
In existing buildings without Dedicated Outside Air Systems (DOAS) or HEPA filtration, consider using operable windows to boost ventilation. Provide guidance to occupants for when to open/ close windows given local temperature and humidity conditions.
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In new construction, design building envelope and maintain indoor humidity levels to avoid condensation in the wall cavity or inside of windows.
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Evaluate operable window impact on ventilation and exhaust systems, building pressurization, and air mixing.
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Document an operational procedure for closing all windows if the outside air is more polluted than inside.
The value of flexible HVAC system operations during hazardous events:
April 15, 2020
TEMP 68-74° F
RH 40-60%
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Install high performance air filters during critical times (HEPA, MERV-14, activated carbon).
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Ventilate the building with more outside air to flush out potential contaminants.
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Develop a plan for how to adjust building systems (interior temperature setpoints) to appropriate levels that will reduce energy consumption but also maintain a healthy indoor environment (consider humidity inside and outside, potential for condensation).
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Active air system response (similar to how critical government facilities respond to airborne attacks).
April 15, 2020
CONTACT INFORMATION:
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL HGA INSIGHTS
Peter K. Dahl, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C & O+M, CEM Principal – Energy and Infrastructure Group Cell: 612.859.0898 PDahl@hga.com
MORE RESOURCES & INFORMATION https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19. pdf?sfvrsn=359a81e7_6 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/ cooling-center.html https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/resources https://www.rehva.eu/activities/covid-19-guidance