Ventilation for COVID-19, and beyond

If there is anything that the pandemic has helped us to manifest, it is the importance of ventilation in the fight against the pandemic, eliminating contaminated air in enclosed spaces and sanitizing our interiors.

From the beginning, the use of masks, maintaining social distance, or hand washing has been promoted. But as we have learned more about the virus and its contagion, one measure has gained ground due to its proven effectiveness in preventing contagion: proper ventilation of enclosed spaces. In the following lines, we explain the fundamentals of why ventilation is here to stay, and it will improve the air of our interiors even long after this current pandemic ends.

What general aspects should be considered regarding ventilation for Covid-19?

The WHO itself, the World Health Organization, has emphasized how vital it is to ventilate and has provided some guidelines regarding ventilation systems for Covid-19 . This organization is working with the World Meteorological Organization through the Joint Office for Climate and Health.

One of the main means of transmission of the coronavirus is aerosols, small particles exhaled by people when they breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze. These small particles can remain in the air for a long time and transmit the disease. Proper ventilation is the best way to reduce the risk of contagion by eliminating stale air that may contain aerosols within enclosed spaces.

When carrying out the ventilation of these spaces, it is good to combine natural ventilation, i.e., opening windows, with mechanical ventilation . In some cases, where adequate natural ventilation is not possible, this latter option will also be the only alternative. In fact, ventilation systems are the most effective way to renew air. Furthermore, they help control both temperature and humidity levels.

Here are some of the recommendations provided by WHO regarding this:

1. Increase the total airflow of enclosed spaces.
2. Deactivate the demand control mechanisms for ventilation (leave on “on” instead of “automatic”).
3. Increase air filtration as much as possible without reducing airflow.
4. Check the cases and supports of the filter to ensure they fit well and that air passes adequately over the filter.
5. Activate the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system with the highest possible flow of outside air 2 hours before a space is occupied and 2 hours after.
6. Generate clean air flows to areas of dirty air.
7. Check that the extractors work correctly and at maximum capacity when the space is occupied.

Types of ventilation systems

Regarding ventilation systems, there are two types, depending on whether only the extraction of air from the rooms is carried out or if the admission is also done mechanically:

Simple flow ventilation. This system extracts air through the controlled mechanical ventilation (VMC) equipment, which will be responsible for removing the loaded air and thus renewing it. While the incoming air is done naturally by the depression created by the extraction of the equipment, bringing outside air in through admission openings made in the window and blind carpentry.

Double flow ventilation. This system performs both extraction and admission mechanically. It is the safest option, as the incoming air is filtered before being pushed into the home. Furthermore, it allows for much more efficient air renewal in the rooms.

How should ventilation equipment be used for Covid-19 in enclosed spaces?

It is vital that in workplaces, study centers, and restaurants, efforts are made to ensure that the air is clean. WHO recommends in this regard to increase the ventilation rate.

It is necessary to clean the filters frequently, especially in those spaces where the possibilities of contagion are higher, such as in those mentioned (work, study, or restaurant centers).

Of course, to enjoy pure and clean air, it is important to have ventilation equipment, as they are a vital tool to ensure correct removal of stale air, and proper sweeping of all the volume of ventilated rooms with filtered air.

Ventilation during COVID-19 and beyond

During the pandemic, we have learned the necessity of renewing the indoor air. This measure not only prevents the spread of COVID-19 but also helps improve the performance of workers, students, or simply enhances the experience of customers in public establishments, providing fresh and healthy air at all times.

Thus, when we soon look back at the pandemic, ventilation should not be forgotten; rather, the need to maintain fresh and healthy indoor air will be a lesson we will incorporate and learn to value when designing, building, or simply enjoying as users in indoor spaces.

You can make any inquiries at siber@siberzone.es