Latest from Commercial HVAC

31351904 © Jeff Wasserman | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_31351904
An in-depth look at the 2024 OSHA workplace safety violations, offering a comprehensive overview of the most cited federal standards.
May 20, 2025
P1 Construction
P1 Construction holds a safety meeting with employees.
Discover the crucial role of safety in HVACR contracting, from financial savings to employee retention. Learn how safety programs impact insurance, project bids, and employee ...
May 13, 2025
199844510 © Juan Pablo Muñoz León | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xl_199844510
HVAC systems are evolving to meet new building requirements, environmental goals, and regulations, with a focus on energy efficiency and occupant needs in commercial spaces for...
March 21, 2025
PremiStar
premistar
PremiStar acquires Dahme Mechanical's HVAC division, expanding its service capabilities in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. The acquisition brings new expertise and growth...
March 18, 2025
Sylvester & Cockrum, LLC
lowry_acquisition_announcement_1
This strategic partnership represents a significant step in S&C’s growth strategy and further strengthens its position in the Carolinas and surrounding areas.
Feb. 25, 2025
337399837 © Wirestock | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_337399837
This decision, driven by the advocacy of HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International), provides much-needed flexibility for distributors and end...
Feb. 13, 2025
ahr_press_releaseimg
Visitors to Delta’s booth explored three immersive zones featuring solutions tailored for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
Feb. 13, 2025
premier_logo
Premier is a commercial and industrial HVAC and mechanical services company based in Lima, Ohio. This acquisition marks Exigent’s second acquisition in Northwest Ohio, following...
Jan. 28, 2025
fw_webb_rheem
Through this expanded partnership, F.W. Webb now offers Rheem’s residential and commercial HVAC solutions, all of which are R-454b compliant and engineered to meet the latest ...
Jan. 24, 2025

ASHRAE Releases Updated Guide to Reopening Schools

The guide is formulated to help designers retrofit and plan for the improvement of indoor air quality, and to slow the transmission of viruses via the HVAC systems.
July 30, 2020
2 min read

ATLANTA , Ga. July 22, 2020 – The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on the operation of HVAC systems to help mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic year.

The 41-page Presentation includes convenient checklists to prepare educational buildings to resume occupancy such as starting up HVAC systems as well as checks and verifications to maintain during the academic school year. The guidance is meant to provide practical information to school districts and university campus environmental health managers, facility managers, administrators, technicians and service providers.

“As schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic semester, it's important to keep children and school staff safe,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “ASHRAE’s school reopening guide will serve as a resource to school leaders as they work in lockstep with health experts to finalize plans to keep everyone safe.”

The guide includes the following topics:

  • Determining Building Readiness
  • Equipment & System Specific Checks & Verifications During the Academic Year
  • New/Modified Facility Design Recommendations
  • Filtration Upgrades
  • Operations of Occupied Facilities
  • Controlling Infection Outbreak in School Facilities
  • Higher Education Facilities Recommendations.

The guide is formulated to help designers retrofit and plan for the improvement of indoor air quality and to slow the transmission of viruses via the HVAC systems as well as new guidance on student health facilities, laboratories, athletic facilities, residence halls, and large assemblies, lectures and theatres.

“School and university officials are challenged with making very difficult decisions on how to best protect both students and staff as education facilities reopen, said Corey Metzger, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Schools Team lead. “This guidance offers a solid framework on ventilation control, filtration and maintenance that can be applied to different climate zones, building types and HVAC systems.”

For the complete ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force school reopening guide and other COVID-19 resources, visit ashrae.org/COVID-19.

Sign up for Contracting Business Newsletters
Get the latest news and updates.