BSEE


David Cook, technical product manager at Vent Axia, discusses the essenal role of venlaon in migang virus transmission in crowded indoor spaces, such as the gym, and how consultants can help clients by evaluang exisng venlaon and improving or upgrading it as necessary


‘Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19): Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities’2 reflects this with an entire section dedicated to ventilation stating clearly that: “Ventilation is an important part of mitigating against the transmission of COVID-19.” With gyms now allowed to re-open, it is vital businesses evaluate their ventilation to ensure it works effectively and does not under- ventilate - which is critical to help reduce airborne transmission of COVID-19. Here consultants’ expertise comes to the fore as they are the experts ideally placed to help and are now becoming the new unsung heroes of the pandemic. Working with gyms, consultants can evaluate existing ventilation and then advise on the best solution, ensuring it is in line with Government guidelines.


V Government Guidance


When it comes to ventilation and helping prevent the spread of Covid- 19, fresh air is vital to dilute the virus in buildings. This is clearly stated within the ventilation section of the Government’s new gym guidance ‘Air extraction and ventilation measures’ where it lays out that ventilation into the building should be optimised ensuring a fresh air supply is provided to all areas of a facility and increased wherever possible.


Sennel Totus2


Gyms have been one of the later businesses to reopen after lockdown due to the higher risk of virus transmission. According to researchers, the moist, warm air combined with turbulent air flow from exercising may create an environment in which airborne virus droplets can readily spread. People breathe harder when they exercise, which makes it easier for the virus to spread from person to person. It therefore makes sense that higher intensity exercise increases the risk of virus transmission and because of this the Government guidance advises gyms pay particular attention to these areas to ensure they are well ventilated. With ventilation so key to reducing virus transmission in gyms the guidance provides clear advice on how to optimise ventilation by implementing specific measures regarding occupancy and airflow:


entilation continues to rise up the


agenda in the fight against COVID-19. The Government’s recent guidance


AIR CONDITIONING & AIR QUALITY A Safer Work Out


“The maximum occupancy of each indoor facility should be limited by providing a minimum of 100sqft per person. For this figure, the area is the net useable indoor facility space available to members to use, including changing rooms, toilet and wash facilities. Reducing capacity in this way whilst sustaining ventilation flows, will increase the typical current 10l/s/p (litres per second per person) flow rate of ventilation to at least 20l/s/p, as fewer people are being served by the ventilation system.” Although this will be clear guidance for consultants it is here engineers can help gyms understand what this means and how much airflow is needed in an individual property, as well as individual parts of a gym. Another key point in the guidelines that gyms should consider is that ventilation systems should also provide 100% fresh air with no recirculation of air from one space to another. Plus, other important considerations include fans running at full speed to maximise airflow; ventilation running 24/7; regular filter changes to help ensure optimum airflow; and CO2 sensors to be used if air changes are unknown as a surrogate indicator to switch on additional mechanical ventilation or open windows.


Within the CIBSE guidance it is also important to note that additional fresh air should be bought in if recirculation systems, such as air conditioning, are in use; thermal wheel systems should have the wheel bypassed or turned off; all heat recovery systems should be inspected for leaks between supply and extract; and filters should be clean and regularly changed.


REHVA Guidance LoCarbon TSeries Window Model CIBSE Guidance


For further in-depth guidance the document then directs readers to ‘CIBSE COVID-19 Ventilation Guidance’ which gives detailed guidelines for building


managers/operators to minimise the risks of airborne transmission of COVID-19. Similar to the Government guidance the overarching advice is to increase the air supply and exhaust ventilation, supplying as much outside air as is reasonably possible to dilute and remove the virus as much as possible. More detailed advice includes: extending the operation times of supply and extract mechanical ventilation systems; start ventilation at nominal speed at least 2 hours before the building usage time and switch to lower speed 2 hours after the building usage time; in demand- controlled ventilation systems lowering the CO2 setpoint to 400ppm to maintain operation; and to keep ventilation on 24/7 with lower ventilation rates when people are absent.


24 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2020


The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) has also just updated its ‘REHVA COVID-19’3 guidance giving further weight to the vital role ventilation plays. The guidance states that new evidence on airborne transmission has developed recently: “This has made ventilation measures the most important engineering controls in the infection control.” It adds that although physical distancing is important to avoid close contact “the risk of aerosol concentration and cross infection from 1.5m onward from an infected person can be reduced with adequate ventilation and effective distribution solutions.” This guidance seems particularly applicable to gyms with their increased risk of transmission. REHVA includes recommendations that can be applied to existing buildings to reduce the number of cross-infections indoors. Top of the list is: “Provide adequate ventilation of spaces with outdoor air” again cementing the importance of ventilation.


Ventilation Solutions


So, to comply with the guidance and create a safer indoor environment, there are a range of options consultants can recommend to businesses keen to improve their ventilation and indoor air quality. The first step is for consultants to evaluate current systems and where possible increase airflow from existing systems to meet the necessary air changes an hour. It is also important to switch ventilation to full fresh air mode where possible rather than recirculating air and adding fresh air where there is only air conditioning. Where gyms are keen to add extra airflow easily and quickly rather than upgrading a whole building system, consultants can consider adding commercial extract fans to increase


fresh air. For example, Vent-Axia’s T- Series commercial fan offers high performance ventilation with low running costs. With both window and wall options available, as well as Lo-Carbon models, it is both durable and reliable. Available with four sizes of extract/intake fans and an easy fit connector Top Socket allowing fast and trouble-free mains connection, the T-Series is easy to install and replace. Vent-Axia also has an extensive spares department if a fan replacement part is needed. Alternatively, if gyms are planning to upgrade a current ventilation system, consultants can suggest demand ventilation as a solution to gym owners. D-ERV systems have sophisticated controls and sensors that can be used to easily adapt the system to the new COVID-19 requirements, providing ventilation appropriate to occupant needs. When it comes to specification, any new system being installed should allow added capacity for airflow to meet potential future pandemics. This means correct sizing is imperative so systems are not working at full tilt to achieve required airflows.


For instance Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Totus² Demand Energy Recovery Ventilation system (D-ERV), offers an effective solution to ensure good ventilation, with a range of sensors, such as CO2, PIR occupancy detection, humidity or temperature which are employed to determine the room’s air quality, adjusting the ventilation requirements automatically and managing the system’s ventilation rates accordingly. The levels for these sensors can also be adjusted to ensure they provide the higher levels of ventilation now required e.g. lowering the CO2 setpoint to 400ppm.


With ventilation repeatedly cited by Government as a way to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 indoors, coupled with a raft of academic papers suggesting aerosol transmission of the virus, the Government is now clearly advocating ventilation in the fight against COVID-19. With gyms beginning to open their doors again, now is the time for consultants to assist them in ensuring there is enough airflow to dilute the virus in the air and improve indoor air quality. The latest extract and demand ventilation solutions can provide the ideal solution.


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