Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
HoweD  
#1 Posted : 27 August 2020 12:15:18(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
HoweD

Hi

I have been doing some research into HVAC systems in relation to the current Covid-19 situation and wondered whether anybody had sought professional advice on the matter? I have perused the HSE website (https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation.htm) and CIBSE guidance (https://www.cibsejournal.com/technical/cleaning-the-air/) and whilst the HSE suggests you need not make changes to systems that mix some of the extracted air with fresh air, the CIBSE recommends reducing CO2 setpoints to 400ppm. Our office system is currently set to 600ppm and the facilities manager is reluctant to change this due to his fear that the increased air flow rate will facilitate the spread of potentially infected droplets further distances. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Roundtuit  
#2 Posted : 28 August 2020 21:43:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Too much gut feel and media driven presumption amongst the "sanitise it to death / fear for our life /scared of litigation" brigade. There is only one sure route to prevent transmission which is to remove the source, then it does not matter what setting the HVAC is on.

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
toe on 01/09/2020(UTC), toe on 01/09/2020(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 28 August 2020 21:43:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Too much gut feel and media driven presumption amongst the "sanitise it to death / fear for our life /scared of litigation" brigade. There is only one sure route to prevent transmission which is to remove the source, then it does not matter what setting the HVAC is on.

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
toe on 01/09/2020(UTC), toe on 01/09/2020(UTC)
HSSnail  
#4 Posted : 01 June 2021 15:20:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
HSSnail

This has been a problem for many of us. We dont have true airconditioning, and had to turn off our units at the very begining, as the instalation company could not give us a straight answer about how much fresh air we were bringing into the building. Fortunatly most of our staff were working from home, but we are getting complaints about drafts from open windows - personaly i am happy to put a jumper on if it reduces the risk of covid. We have had a couple of HSE visits to our sites recently and they are realy pushing the need for ventialtion, even if thats just open windows.

As for the vaccination programme meaning we dont need to do anything else, we are a long way from that at this moment in time.

peter gotch  
#5 Posted : 02 June 2021 13:50:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Brian

That might have something to do with the return of those questioning the risks of the pandemic to these Forums. An ad (as you have reported) one day and look at their input a day later and who "thanked" their contribution.

P

Users browsing this topic
Guest (2)
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.