VALIDATED INFECTION
CONTROL
- A RATIONAL APPROACH
MODERN BUILDINGS
CHALLENGES BEYOND COMFORT AND AIR QUALITY
VIRUSES: THE NEW CHALLENGE
Most infections including COVID19, are transmitted directly
- through contact with contaminated surfaces
- through droplets emitted while coughing or sneezing.
Such direct transmission can be mitigated to a large extent by
social distancing, hygiene practices, and use of PPEs etc.
However, significant quantity of agent embedded in water droplets
(less than 5 µm) remain suspended in air for longer period of time can
travel distances much larger than anticipated two meters.
RISKS IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
Commercial spaces are large enclosed HVAC systems. Such systems if
improperly operated and maintained, can become a reservoir for such
infections. With added concerns of poor indoor air quality.
Key factors compounding these risks are:
● Multiple interconnected zones without localised fresh/exhaust air
leading to unchecked transfer of microbial aerosols within them
● Individual climate control that potentially interfere with air mixing
efficiency and critical room air movement
● Ingress from potential contamination sources in absence of
optimum and controlled
● Invalidated Filtration systems – for design and efficiency both
NEW HVAC SYSTEMS – A RATIONAL APPROACH
• Firstly, we should not treat the current outbreak as a singular
emergency occurrence and design systems in a knee-jerk response.
• We must accept that we are in for the long haul and similar situations
will continue to present themselves in time to come. Infection control
will be a factor in modern HVAC design.
• Therefore what is required is a sustainable and long term approach to
mitigate these risks without tossing aside our indoor air quality and
energy goals.
NEW HVAC SYSTEMS – A RATIONAL APPROACH
• We have reasonable historical learning to assume that challenges of
infection control and air quality proliferate in closed spaces
• Thus common sense would lead us to focus on aspects like
ventilation, dilution, deactivation, and filtration of infection causing
agents, particles and NOXs.
• Ensuring COMPREHENSIVE AIR QUALITY would also meet our goals of
a safe indoor environment.
• With the help of optical particle sizer and building simulation tools we
can also analyse the fate and transport of such particles.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
THE NEW NORMAL FOR MODERN BUILDINGS
ACHIEVING COMPREHENSIVE AIR QUALITY
The solution lies in designing a system using multi zone transport analysis
of contaminants (including microbial aerosols), transient contamination
analysis and validation of building performance in terms of:
1. Ambient Air Quality 4. Infiltration & Exfiltration
contaminant sources are identified and of unwanted leakages are identified and
measured at intake accounted for
2. Ventilation Efficiency 5. Room Air Movement
ventilation is enhanced by multi zone controlling room to room air movement
ventilation efficiency (age of air) via pressure relationships
3. Air Mixing 6. Indoor Air Quality
for effective displacement of reduced the risk of exposure to
contaminants contaminants including microbial aerosols
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
Using historical
wind pressure and
contamination
data, a building
model is prepared
with appropriate
orientation
VENTILATION EFFICIENCY
In multiple
interconnected
zones, multi-zone
ventilation
efficiency is
evaluated.
AIR MIXING
In larger areas,
desired air mixing
efficiency plays a
crucial role in
removal of toxic
elements in indoor
air, thus impacting
the overall indoor air
quality.
INFILTRATION AND EXFILTRATION
• Predict uncontrolled
flow of outdoor and
exhaust air by using
effective leakages
based on various
building materials
and partition.
ROOM AIR MOVEMENT
Controlling
room to room
air movement
via pressure
relationships
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Room pressure
monitor for effective
indication of room
air movement with
indoor air quality
IMPLEMENTATION & OPERATIONS
ESSENTIAL CHECKPOINTS
ADEQUATE VENTILATION FOR DILUTION
Calculate outdoor air requirement based on the evaluation of
ventilation efficiency of the building and zones and deploy
• Monitor indoor air quality monitors with pressure sensors in the
critical zones.
• Monitor outdoor airflow to provide and check minimum specified
ventilation rates
CONTROLLING AIR MOVEMENT
Using Differential Pressure Relationship
• Optimise differential pressure relationship to create the ante room
effect by installing zone regulation devices at return air paths.
• Additionally, a protective environment room can also be created
having local exhaust ventilation as per requirement with bag in bag
out safe change housing.
ENSURING OPTIMAL FILTRATION
It is defined using building performance results and achieved by
deploying
• Additional contamination control unit with airflow monitoring control
stations to achieve necessary pressurisation
• Strategic use of room cleaner (fan filter unit) i.e. without disturbing
the room air movement
• Online filter scanning for checking the integrity and performance of
filters
• BAG IN BAG OUT FILTERS to be used wherever required for protective
environment
ACHIEVING OPTIMAL CLIMATE CONTROL
As individual climate control in different zones can disturb room air
movement, we should deploy
• Fan powered VAVs or VAV with reheat to provide precise climate
control (including humidity 40-70%) and at the same time maintaining
effective flow pattern in zones.
CREDIBLE VALIDATION
Going beyond fancy
interfaces displaying
sensor readings,
results are calculated
including the time
history of the airborne
concentration,
surface loading as well
as integrated exposure
that an occupant
might experience.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
IF YOU HAVE QUERIES OR DOUBTS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THEM WITH:
ANKIT JAIN
[email protected]
