Ventilation and Air Conditioning During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Natural ventilation is possibly the easiest and most cost-effective method of improving ventilation with in a workplace, this can be achieved by fully or partly opening windows, air vents and doors. Don’t prop fire doors open, unless a fire door retainer is effective.

Where there is a risk that a person could fall from a window consider installing window retainers.

You should explain the importance of adequate ventilation to your workers so they can play their part in reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission.

Mechanical systems will provide adequate ventilation if they are set to maximise fresh air and minimise recirculation.

If your system draws in fresh air, it can continue to operate. It’s healthier not to recirculate air from one area to another.

Recirculation units for heating and cooling that do not draw in a supply of fresh air can remain in operation as long as there is a supply of outdoor air. This could mean leaving windows and doors open.

If you are unsure of your systems seek advice of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer or adviser.

CO2 measurements should be used as a broad guide to ventilation within a space rather than treating them as ’safe thresholds’.

Outdoor levels are around 400ppm and indoors a consistent CO2 value less than 800ppm is likely to indicate that a space is well ventilated.

An average of 1500ppm CO2 concentration over the occupied period in a space is an indicator of poor ventilation. You should take action to improve ventilation where CO2 readings are consistently higher than 1500ppm.

The use of desk & freestanding fans to increase the effectiveness of ventilation in the workplace can safely be achieved by correct fan placement and will vary based on room configuration.

Avoid placing fans in a way that could potentially cause contaminated air to flow directly from one person to another.

Fans are no substitute for good ventilation and should only be used as a vehicle to enhance an already good ventilation provision and should not be used in poorly ventilated areas.