Tag: Ventilation

ASHRAE Releases Indoor Air Quality Guideline to Protect Against Wildfires

By Joe Bebon, Editor Dec 20, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Dec 20, 2024

As wildfires and prescribed burns increasingly impact communities worldwide, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published a new resource aimed at safeguarding indoor air quality (IAQ) during these events. ASHRAE Guideline 44-2024, Protecting Building Occupants From Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events, outlines best practices for building design, operation, and […]

The Importance of Air Conditioning and Air Quality in a Workplace

By Howie Robleza, Contributing Writer Nov 26, 2024 Building Controls

Updated: Nov 26, 2024

It’s Monday morning in the summer. You shuffle into the office, your laptop’s fan kicking in to do its best impression of a struggling jet engine. The air feels thick, the windows are fogging, and the thermostat might as well be set to “uncomfortable.” Suddenly, the whole day feels heavier. It’s no secret—air quality and […]

CDC Releases Infection Prevention Guidance for K-12 Schools

By Joe Bebon, Editor May 20, 2024 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: May 20, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools across the country and made health and safety top priority once they reopened. Although the pandemic is thankfully behind us, it remains essential to protect students and staff from all types of infectious diseases. As leaders plan for the new school year ahead, now is a good time to double […]

Experts Call for Mandating Indoor Air Quality in Public Buildings

By Joe Bebon, Editor Apr 3, 2024 Design and Construction

Updated: Apr 9, 2024

In a new scientific paper, a global group of experts has called for mandating indoor air quality (IAQ) in public buildings and presented a blueprint for national standards. The group is headed by Professor Lidia Morawska, a distinguished professor at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology and vice chancellor fellow at the U.K.’s University of Surrey. […]

EPA Awards Nearly $11M to Help Community Buildings Combat Wildfire Smoke

By Joe Bebon, Editor Jan 26, 2024 Fire Safety

Updated: Jan 26, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected nine applicants throughout the West to receive nearly $11 million in funding through the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program. The new federal program aims to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness by providing grants to states, federally recognized Tribes, public preschools, local educational agencies, and […]

Poor Indoor Air Quality Could Impact Worker Creativity: Study

By Joe Bebon, Editor Dec 22, 2023 Green Building

Updated: Dec 22, 2023

Air quality in the office may affect our level of creativity at work, according to scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). Working with global air filter manufacturer Camfil on a shared research project, the NTU scientists found in a study that high levels of volatile organic compounds—gases released from products such as detergents, pesticides, perfumes, aerosol […]

4 Ways to Prepare Your Facilities for Winter

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor Nov 15, 2023 Emergency Preparedness

Updated: Nov 17, 2023

With winter on its way, it’s time for facilities managers not only to prepare for snow and ice and winterize their irrigation systems, but also to examine the interior and exterior elements of their facilities. Whether you manage a large facility like a college or hospital campus or a small facility like a small office […]

Managing VOCs and Odors in Commercial Workspaces

By Chester Avey, Contributing Writer Oct 3, 2023 Heating and Cooling

Updated: Oct 3, 2023

Facilities managers know the importance of maintaining proper indoor air quality (IAQ). As far as critical issues go, air quality, ventilation, and the prevention of pollutants are up there, as they pose a severe health risk to workers, not to mention productivity and efficiency. One of the most prevalent indoor air contaminants is volatile organic […]

How Facilities Can Improve Their Air Quality

By Corey Sipe, Associate Editor Sep 22, 2023 Building Controls

Updated: Sep 22, 2023

As facilities managers continue to improve their buildings’ indoor air quality (IAQ), they should learn about the new American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 241; the different types of air-cleaning technologies and their costs; and their occupants’ needs. Facilities Management Advisor had an educational session on August 17 as part of […]

Combat Wildfire and Infection Hazards with Good Indoor Air Quality

By Guy Burdick, Contributing Writer Sep 11, 2023 Heating and Cooling

Updated: Sep 11, 2023

How is the air quality inside your facilities? Is it time to reevaluate your HVAC systems and maintenance procedures? Proper ventilation and air filtration can lower indoor concentrations of both infectious disease particles and particulate matter from wildfires, protecting a facility’s employees, customers, and visitors. Particulate matter from wildfire smoke—material less than 2.5 micrometers in […]