CIBSE News

CIBSE Covid-related ventilation guides

CIBSE has published three new guides intended as an aid to all involved in the specification, design, installation and maintenance of ventilation systems for both newbuild and retrofit applications. They specifically address Covid-related issues and are designed to satisfy the emerging ventilation challenges presented by the pandemic. They can be accessed at www.cibse.org

Ventilation guidance

This Covid-19 ventilation guidance is aimed at business owners, employers, building owners, managers, operators and those maintaining buildings. It is intended to give business owners and managers an outline of ventilation systems commonly encountered in buildings and to advise on how they can be used, now and in the future, to maintain adequate air quality and reduce the risks of airborne infection.

It can also assist building managers and those who operate and maintain building systems in identifying the areas of a building, and elements of ventilation systems, that may need particular attention in order to reduce risk to building occupants.

It is relevant to all types of building ventilation systems, whether natural, mechanical or full air conditioning.

Air cleaning technologies

Air cleaning technologies allow users to assess the variety of air cleaning devices currently marketed for the removal of SARS-CoV-2, and to discover which air cleaner, if any, will effectively reduce transmission risk in a given space.

This guidance document will be of use to those requiring a detailed background of air flow performance metrics, pollutant and viral decay, and tools assessing the performance of air cleaners in context.

Relative exposure index calculator

This relative exposure index calculator provides a method for the risk of airborne transmission of SARSCoV-2. A simple method is provided, allowing the user to describe the dimensions, breathing rate, respiratory activity, occupation duration and ventilation provision in a given space. It allows users to compare scenarios that involve air cleaners with those that do not.

A more complex calculation is also provided, allowing users to assess the impact of mitigation measures in reducing relative risk of secondary transmission.

If you wish to fi nd out more information about these publications or any other CIBSE matters, send an email to CIBSEIrelandContact@gmail.com or visit cibseireland.org