DUBAI, UAE, 26 March 2020: Eurovent Middle East has issued recommendations for ventilation and air filtration to address challenges related to COVID-19, the industry association announced in a Press release. Eurovent Middle East called on building owners, operators and facility management providers to carefully observe the recommendations from the industry to minimise risks related to the transmission of airborne viruses through ventilation and air-conditioning systems and to support the government in its efforts to contain the outbreak.

According to the release, the current crisis highlights the responsibilities of HVACR engineers, along with service and maintenance personnel, building owners and operators to carefully assess building ventilation systems and their conditions. The release further stated that proper ventilation, with a higher degree of fresh air supply and air exchange, the use of the correct filter types and careful maintenance can be important factors in the containment of the virus.

Brian Suggitt, President, Eurovent Middle East, said, “We all have our responsibility to support the government’s efforts to contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus and minimise its effects. We have put together several recommendations in regard to ventilation and air filtration, which we see as important to be followed. While just a small part of the fight against the virus, these measures can have an essential effect in reducing the impact of the disease on our healthcare system.”

The release said that the published documents with recommendations for building owners, operators and maintenance personnel on air filtration, ventilation and maintenance procedures can be accessed via the following links:

Industry Recommendations 

Healthcare Recommendations 

According to the release, the documents published by Eurovent Middle East outline basic recommendations, which directly or indirectly contribute to the spread of viruses and the wellbeing of people in occupied spaces. These recommendations are based on an industry-wide consensus and should provide guidance on best practices in relation to air filtration and ventilation in the current crisis, the release said. While in most cases ventilation systems are a given and cannot be modified in the short term, the release said, conducting careful assessment of the ventilation installations and carrying out the correct maintenance measures can assist in preventing the propagation of the virus.