ASHRAE Developing IAQ Pathogen Mitigation Standard
December 7, 2022 | By HPAC Magazine
The goal is to achieve an enforceable national standard within six months.
The COVID-19 virus (photo: ASHRAE)
ASHRAE has committed to the expedited development of a national indoor air quality (IAQ) pathogen mitigation standard with a goal of achieving an enforceable standard in the U.S. within six months.
“The health and well-being of building occupants are crucial factors that must be considered during the design, construction and operation phases of the building process,” said 2022-23 ASHRAE president Farooq Mehboob.
“ASHRAE’s long history of leadership in IAQ science and technology, will provide broad-reaching guidance through this standard to help ensure the use of best practices for pathogen mitigation, which will assist in creating safer indoor spaces for us all.”
ASHRAE will set up an international team of experts to work on an accelerated timeline to develop the standard. Delivery of the standard will include:
- Both design and operation
- Alternative paths (prescriptive or performance), in which equivalent clean air would be the goal
- Testing, verification, documentation (commissioning) and periodic re-commissioning
The increased focus on IAQ by governments and the public, along with the convergence of the flu, respiratory syncytial (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) threatening public health, makes ASHRAE’s development of the pathogen mitigation standard of even greater importance, as jurisdictions and building owners look to a reputable and non-biased source for guidance and science-based building standards.
