For years now, the industry has stressed upon the need to create education and leadership that is conscious and aware of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ). This in addition to the need for driving up skilled personnel within the industry for the sake of carrying out reasonable Measurement and Verification (M&Vs).
The April 2020 issue of the Cooling India magazine pays special heed to understand IAQ, especially since this is a very well-highlighted subject in light of the pandemic COVID-19. Our cover story for this month focuses on combating COVID-19 through achieving good IAQ.
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic which is now a global issue, REHVA – The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Associations drafted a guidance document on how to operate and use building services in areas with a COVID-19 outbreak to prevent its spread, depending on HVAC or plumbing systems. However,
due to the changing nature of the disease, amends have been made to the guidance document with revisions and additions.
We cannot affirm with conviction that filters can or cannot capture and deal with the virus with the help of an air filter; however, Vikram Murthy, Former President of ISHRAE and Director, Univac Environment Systems, gives industry insight. He says: “At present, it is reasonably known that the COVID-19 virus is microscopic, hence it cannot be trapped even by absolute filters unless it is aerosolised into droplets or moisture or the virus adheres to indoor dust and is then trapped inside such filters.”
Though difficult situations might present itself, we as Cooling India urge the industry to stay positive and push forward. Do feel free to write to me with input and industry insight as we value our sources.
Write to me at ranjana@charypublications.in
