Building Readiness for Infectious Aerosols

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our industry’s thinking about how heating, ventilation  and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems should function to make indoor air safer for the public.

Hanson has the expertise to help you upgrade your HVAC systems so you can reopen your facilities during this and future pandemics. We have applied our extensive experience in optimizing building systems through commissioning, retro-commissioning and design to education, healthcare, industry, aviation, laboratory and government facilities. Since the pandemic began, we have assisted several clients with evaluating their systems’ ventilation, filtration and performance capabilities and preparing future mitigation plans. Let us show you how to build confidence in your facility’s readiness.

Building reopening services we provide:

• building readiness plans
• systems evaluation
• outside air controls
• filtration improvement options
• sensor and device calibration
• improved sequence of operations for systems
• deferred maintenance evaluation
• work order development for improvements
• future-proofing options
• HVAC operational plans

Explore the following links to learn more about our knowledge of and involvement in pandemic building readiness:

• Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate webinar, Oct. 30, 2020: “Commissioning in the Age of COVID-19: Engineering Decisions for the New Normal.”
  Hanson’s Wade Conlan and Bill Bradford talk to Devesh Nirmul, managing director of CounterpointeSRE, about commissioning and energy auditing during the pandemic.
• U.S. House of Representatives, Energy & Commerce Committee Staff Briefing, May 18, 2020: "The ASHRAE's Epidemic Task Force and ASHRAE Guidance for Protecting Building Occupants from COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases." Conlan shared his thoughts on risk assessment for HVAC systems and reopening businesses and schools.
• ASHRAE Webinar, June 29, 2020: "Managing your HVAC Systems to Help Mitigate the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Buildings"
• Retrofit Magazine, July 2020: "The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Prepares for Future Epidemics: HVAC's Role in Reducing Spread of Infectious Aerosols"
• Institute for Real Estate Management, From the Front Lines Podcast on HVAC Operations, July 2020: Hanson Commissioning Discipline Manager Wade Conlan, P.E., CxA, BCxP, LEED® AP, of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, discussed best practices around HVAC operations, including air filtration, potential supply chain issues and best practices for reopening (listen to the 17-minute episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts)
• Joint Energy Management Association/APPA(Leadership in Educational Facilities) webinar, Aug. 6, 2020: "The Future Isn't What it Used to Be: Occupied Space in the COVID-19 Era"
• Tampa Bay (WTSP-TV) interview, Aug. 6, 2020: Using ASHRAE-recommended MERV 13 filters for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems to increase the ability to catch viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19
• New York Times, Aug. 8, 2020: "Your Hot-Weather Guide to Coronavirus, Air-Conditioning and Airflow" interview with Conlan and other scientists and engineers
• Airport Improvement Magazine interview, Aug. 25, 2020: “Show and Tell with Kristin Shaw: Featuring Hanson Professional Services, Expert Advice: Preparing Airports for the Return of Travel”

Learn more about ASHRAE’s building readiness guidance.

Facing the HVAC triple threat: COVID-19, flu and cold weather

With the temperatures falling, flu season starting and SARS-CoV-2 continuing to infect tens of thousands of Americans each day, facility owners and managers need methods to reduce virus transmission indoors. In this video, Hanson's Wade Conlan discusses how to prepare for the increased occupancy, viruses and indoor air in buildings during the fall and winter.