ASHRAE leads the way in public health standards with innovative resource

Pathogen control standard is beneficial during peak virus periods. ASHRAE remains committed to prioritising the health and well-being of building occupants. Standard 241 is a blueprint for building designers, owners and operators with long-term benefits.

In the face of a resurgence of COVID-19, the flu, and RSV, ensuring clean airflow within buildings has never been more crucial. ASHRAE Standard 241, titled “Control of infectious aerosols”, is pioneering in empowering building owners, operators, and professionals to safeguard indoor environments during the upcoming fall and winter virus season.

ASHRAE Standard 241 offers comprehensive guidance on planning, installing, commissioning, and maintaining HVAC systems to control the spread of infectious aerosols. This standard includes recommendations regarding ventilation rates, filtration, and air purification technologies. It also explains a building readiness plan outlining procedures foshr evaluating existing and new HVAC systems to ensure their proper functioning.

ASHRAE Standard 241 sets the minimum requirements to minimise the risk of airborne transmission of aerosol-borne pathogens such as the SARS-COV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 and the flu virus. It applies to many building types, including single and multi-family homes, offices, schools, and healthcare facilities.

The Standard 241 was released in June and garnered praise from Dr. Ashish Jha, the former White House Covid Response Coordinator, who described it as “one of the most significant public health measures in recent years.” Notably, Standard 241 is the inaugural consensus-based and enforceable code of its nature, and it carries the potential for federal-level adoption, impacting all types of buildings.

The 2023-24 ASHRAE President Ginger Scoggins, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, said, “The world knows ASHRAE’s leadership in sustainable, energy-efficient building technology, but we are also leaders in the development of public health standards that are making incredible impacts on building occupants around the world.” The importance of improved indoor air quality and ventilation became topics of mainstream concern during the pandemic, and ASHRAE remains committed to prioritising the health and well-being of building occupants. Standard 241 is a blueprint for building designers, owners and operators with long-term benefits.”

He explained that as the autumn and winter virus season approaches, it becomes even more crucial to reduce the transmission of airborne infections. Embracing the recommendations outlined in Standard 241 can represent a significant step forward in addressing clean air flow goals.

 For more information on ASHRAE Standard 241, visit ashrae.org/Standard241.