As the world continues to grapple with a resurgence of COVID-19, along with the flu and RSV, the importance of clean airflow in buildings has never been more critical, ASHRAE said in a Press release. The society said ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols, is empowering building owners, operators and professionals to proactively protect indoor environments during this fall and winter virus season.

ASHRAE said Standard 241 establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of airborne aerosol transmission, such as the SARS-COV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, the flu virus, and other pathogens in buildings like single and multi-family homes, offices, schools, and healthcare facilities. 

Published in June and praised by former White House COVID Response Coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha as one of the most important public health interventions seen in years, ASHRAE said that its Standard 241 is the first consensus-based, code-enforceable standard of its kind, having the potential for adoption at the federal level for all buildings.

Ginger Scoggins, P.E., President, ASHRAE, said: “The world knows ASHRAE’s leadership in sustainable, energy-efficient building technology, but we are also leaders in the development of public health standards that are making incredible impacts on building occupants around the world. Moreover, improved indoor air quality and ventilation became topics of mainstream concern during the pandemic, and ASHRAE remained committed to prioritising the health and well-being of building occupants. Standard 241 is a blueprint for building designers, owners and operators with long-term benefits.”

ASHRAE said its Standard 241 provides comprehensive guidance on designing, installing, commissioning, and maintaining HVAC systems to control the spread of infectious aerosols. The society further said the standard also includes recommendations for ventilation rates, filtration and air cleaning technologies, and a building readiness plan that documents procedures for assessing existing or new HVAC systems to determine if they are working properly. 

With the fall and winter virus season approaching, Scoggins said, mitigating the spread of airborne infections will be of even greater importance and incorporating the guidance in Standard 241 can be a major step forward in addressing clean air flow goals.”

For more information on ASHRAE Standard 241 and related resources, visit ashrae.org/Standard241.