HVAC (which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) distributes air around an interior space. These systems control the amount of air in an indoor area, the cleanliness of that air, and the overall thermal comfort that the air can provide.
Shared Workspaces (formerly called CoWorking Space) have to heed to the need to have the air in their facilities cleaned several times an hour.
- New evidence finds that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread through microscopic respiratory droplets up to several meters in enclosed indoor spaces.
- Research has found that people with the virus can expel pieces of it when they exhale, talk, or cough.
- This risk of infection is higher indoors. Outdoors, the aerosols evaporate and disperse much more quickly.
…source, HealthLine.com
Got To Keep the Air Cleaned
The air we breathe is always an important aspect of any office—and with COVID-19 it is even more so. The HVAC systems distribute air around the space, so they have a huge impact on the spread and survival of airborne viruses in the air and on surfaces. That’s why WeWork is closely monitoring guidance from industry and health experts to ensure that our HVAC systems are reducing the risk of transmission through airborne particles.
ASHRAE has published two statements to define guidance on managing the spread of COVID-19 with respect to the operation and maintenance of HVAC systems in buildings.
Excerpt from ASHRAE guidelines…
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air is sufficiently likely that airborne exposure to the virus should be controlled. Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.
Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and thus the risk of transmission through the air. Unconditioned spaces can cause thermal stress to people that may be directly life-threatening and that may also lower resistance to infection. In general, disabling of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems is not a recommended measure to reduce the transmission of the virus.
So I would say the Shared Workspaces in Dallas need to get after keeping their tenants safe. Here are a few steps that they need to adapt to.
1. Dilution
Dilution refers to replacing “used” air with “fresh” air. There is a need to maximize the outside air that’s brought into the building by modifying. This is done by using economizer cycles or resetting the minimum damper position to 100 percent open—both allow a higher amount of outside air in.
These systems have to have On-Sight Control.
There has to be a focus on the operating hours of the HVAC system, aiming for run times that continue before and after buildings reach design occupancy.
These measures bring more outside air into the building for longer periods of time, and displaces (or dilutes) more of the recirculated air from within.
2. Filtration
Filters help reduce the amount of particulate matter in the airstream before that matter enters the office space.
Shared workspaces need to review their maintenance and replacement schedules of these filters, and ensuring they’re in line with manufacturers’ requirements. They will need to keep a close eye on industry standards to watch for requirements as they arise.
3. Thermal conditioning
Thermal conditioning refers to how the air is monitor.
Shared workspaces will need to monitor the airflow using building management systems.
Shared workspaces will need to step up the monitoring of their space’s temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2). They will provide key data on ventilation effectiveness and will
Got To Keep Members Safe and Healthy
The priority has to be with keeping all members of shared workspaces Safe and Healthy. Yes, this is tough to do and there will be those who resist cooperating. Shared Workspace management has to stand to keep everyone safe and healthy or go out of business.
It would only take one member of a shared workspace to contract COVID-19 from the community environment to run off all the rest of the membership and tenants.
Lawsuits Are On Their Way
Another consequence Shared Workspace owners and franchisors will ultimately experience if they do not provide their members with a safe and healthy environment are the Lawsuits. Lawsuits are coming..so they need to get ready for it.
I’ll report more later on the consequences Shared Workspace businesses will experience.
Until then, let me know how I can help.
