ASHRAE compiled helpful Building Readiness information for building owners, facilities managers, and HVAC experts. The comprehensive report is meant to provide information and checklists for how your building should be operating and how to practically check its operation.
All buildings vary in terms of their conditions, local climate, complexity of systems, occupancy, and activities. For this reason, checklists are not always one size fits all. Careful consideration and cohesive decision making with an HVAC contractor is crucial for determining the readiness of your building. A key takeaway from this article is the importance of designating different modes for your system.
Building Readiness modes of operation should include the following:
- Epidemic Operating Conditions in Place (ECiP)
- Occupied – at pre-epidemic capacity
- Occupied – at reduced capacity
- Unoccupied temporarily, and
- Operation during building closure for indefinite periods
- Post-Epidemic Conditions in Place (PECiP)
- Prior to Occupying
- Operational Considerations once Occupied
In addition, this report from ASHRAE covers specific recommendations from the Building Guidelines such as:
- Increased ventilation
- Increased filtration
- Energy recovery ventilation systems operation considerations
- Building exhaust air re-entrainment
Lastly, this overview from ASHRAE covers Building Readiness Recommendations for Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning which show the typical maintenance that is necessary to ensure buildings are ready for operation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations include details on how to operate the HVAC systems in Occupied mode for at least 24 hours after completing previous steps.
In light of ASHRAE’s recommendations on building readiness, Enervise provides custom Building Health Assessments to ensure your facility stays safe during occupancy. Download our Building Health Assessment Checklist now.
