ASHRAE forms epidemic task force
1st April 2020
USA: ASHRAE has created a task force of experts to address the challenges of the current coronavirus pandemic and the effects of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
ASHRAE says its Epidemic Task Force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE’s technical resources to address the current challenges and future epidemics as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments.
The task force will also provide recommendations for setting up temporary field hospitals in convention centres, arenas and indoor stadia.
ASHRAE says the primary role of the task force will be to maintain communication with members, industry partners, building owners, facility operators, government agencies and the general public.
Its function will be to review all technical questions and requests for technical guidance submitted to ASHRAE and publish clear and concise information pertaining to the built environment
Chairman of the task force, 2013-14 ASHRAE presidential member William Bahnfleth, said that “an outstanding group of experts” had been assembled to serve the task force.
“They are high-level building professionals with collective experience in design, construction, operations and research, who are well qualified to offer guidance on how to protect building occupants and support healthcare facility needs during the uncertainty of an epidemic.”
