When news that confirmed COVID-19 being airborne broke out, everyone understandably got more cautious. By that time, it’d been almost a year since initial evidence suggested that the virus could spread within one meter of an infected person. More people have either fallen ill or succumbed to the disease over
The removal of most Covid restrictions in the UK has increased calls for clearer practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminant targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has, therefore, produced a concise guide to good
It is common that one of the main concerns to take into account when travelling is the hotel where you are going to stay, especially if you are going to stay for a long period of time. Clients tend to look for a hotel in accordance with their economic possibilities
Two tech companies have joined forces to create a new turnstile with an in-built software system to improve safety and security on construction sites across the UK and Ireland. Security technology company Envision Intelligent Solutions, which also has offices in Northern Ireland, England and the USA, teamed up with software
The popularity of indirect free cooling of data centres in the Nordics region could place facilities at risk of corrosion if conditions are not correctly controlled this summer, according to temporary solutions specialists Aggreko. According to a recent market report by Arizton, the Nordic region can facilitate up to 8,400
A leading independent lighting manufacturer says retrofitting outdated lighting systems will be key to improving energy use across the public sector, as more local authorities commit to beefing up their net zero plans. UK100, a network for UK locally elected leaders, recently announced that nearly 60 local authorities, representing 35%
Perimeter security is a vital element of any construction project, but getting the right design, the best products and a quality installation can be a real headache for developers. With so many points of contact typically involved, from designers, engineers, and installers, this often leads to conflicting views, constant design
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has praised the British Standards Institute (BSI) for deciding to speed up the development of a new standard for measuring indoor environment quality (IEQ). Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 3003 was championed by engineering firm EFT Consult, which has been working on it for six
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Specialists S&P UK have released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural ventilation
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Ventilation specialists S&P UK has released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural
When news that confirmed COVID-19 being airborne broke out, everyone understandably got more cautious. By that time, it’d been almost a year since initial evidence suggested that the virus could spread within one meter of an infected person. More people have either fallen ill or succumbed to the disease over that timeframe. As the United States and most parts of the world slowly regain some normalcy, various industries aren’t leaving anything to chance. Offices and stores will be reopening, and adequate ventilation—reorienting vents, installing high-efficiency filtration systems—and adopting new workplace safety protocols can’t be stressed enough. In other words, the new status quo demands rethinking the way air flows within a building. While such changes are no substitute for health protocols (i.e., physical distancing, wearing face masks, etc.), an efficient ventilation system can contribute to a safer workplace. With that said, in this post, you’ll get to know some ways offices and stores can safeguard the well-being of their customers and employees. Displacement ventilation Proper building ventilation warrants deriving more air from outdoors. While the downside is an increase in energy consumption, this system will expel airborne pathogens and other particulates more often. You might have to shell out few extra dollars in utility costs, but that’s a small price to pay for keeping everyone safe. (1) If a higher energy bill is out of the question, consider refitting the facility with a displacement ventilation (DV) system. First implemented in Northern Europe, DV relies on fluid dynamics—namely, how cold and warm air move. (2) Cold air enters the room through vents placed close to the floor, where it gets heated and rises to the ceiling. The warm air then exits the building through vents in the ceiling. Unlike traditional ventilation systems, DV only requires less velocity in taking outdoor air in, meaning the fans can run more slowly and for a more extended period. (2) However, DV works best under the following conditions: Contaminants are light enough to move with the rising warm air Incoming outdoor air is much cooler than the air inside the room Minimal disturbance to the room’s airflow The minimum advisable ceiling height is nine feet Noise should be as low as possible (2) Layered approach Since COVID-19 made landfall in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have introduced guidelines in minimizing its spread. While most of these are related to personal hygiene, there are also guidelines on proper ventilation. The CDC COVID ventilation requirements include taking a layered approach to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Aside from increasing outdoor air intake, the requirements justify adding new exhaust fans, repositioning existing exhaust fans closer to windows, and installing air filters in high-risk areas. Improving ventilation is just one layer in this multifaceted method. The office management also plays a role, keeping a skeletal force as much as possible, rearranging office cubicles and rooms, and regularly disinfecting surfaces. The more safety protocols offices and stores introduce, the lower the risk of COVID-19. (3) Filtration and ionization Just as in overall COVID-19 risk reduction, the ventilation system should also have multiple layers. Every part, from intaking and removing air, must be active in ensuring everyone in the office or store breathes safe air. At the heart of this system is the air filter. Commercial spaces should employ high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems designed to capture particles as small as 0.01 microns. The COVID-19 virus is estimated to be around 0.125 microns (contrary to popular belief that it’s 0.3 microns small)—well within a HEPA filter’s capture range. (4) Augmenting the filtration system with standalone air cleaners can add an extra protective layer. However, be aware that some portable air cleaners in the market generate ozone, which can be harmful at high levels. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of bipolar ionization against harmful pathogens and particulates, but it’s better not to rely on them too much. (5) Regular maintenance No amount of advanced ventilation technology will reduce a commercial space’s risk of COVID-19 if it doesn’t work as intended. Ventilation systems should undergo systematic maintenance every three to five years to clear out the buildup of particulates in the ducts. Even as ducts, filters, and fans grow more reliable, maintenance shouldn’t still be taken lightly. Conclusion It’s unlikely COVID-19 will go away anytime soon, especially with its more contagious variants still running rampant. While waiting for more people to be immunized from the disease, preparing safe spaces for customers and employees should be a priority for reopening offices and stores. Updating or overhauling ventilation systems will go a long way in doing so. References “Is the Air in Your Office Fit to Breathe?” https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-07-13/covid-stresses-need-to-regulate-and-improve-office-ventilation “When, where to use displacement ventilation”, https://www.csemag.com/articles/when-where-to-use-displacement-ventilation/ “Implementing a Layered Approach to Address COVID-19 in Public Indoor Spaces”, https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/implementing-layered-approach-address-covid-19-public-indoor-spaces “Can HEPA Air Purifiers Capture the Coronavirus?” https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/can-hepa-air-purifiers-capture-coronavirus/ “Air Cleaners, HVAC Filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19)”, https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19
The removal of most Covid restrictions in the UK has increased calls for clearer practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminant targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has, therefore, produced a concise guide to good practice: ‘Indoor Air Quality for Health & Well-Being’, which is designed to help building owners, managers and engineers interpret IAQ data and turn it into useful strategies for improving the indoor environment. The UK’s chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance and the British Medical Association (BMA) have emphasised the role of building ventilation and IAQ in helping the country navigate the next stage of the pandemic. The BSI is also fast-tracking a new British Standard that will help to define the UK’s future approach to IAQ. The BMA, which represents all UK doctors, says setting legal standards for ventilation, should be part of the government’s strategy for dealing with the next stage of the pandemic. It added that financial support for businesses and educational settings should be made available “to implement these requirements ahead of the autumn and winter period, when respiratory viruses spread more easily and buildings must be kept warm, limiting options for natural ventilation”. The new BESA guidance, which is part of the Association’s wider Buildings as Safe Havens (BASH) campaign, sets out target limits for a range of airborne contaminants in a variety of indoor spaces. It explains how air quality data gathered during specialist surveys or from the wide range of low cost real-time and continuous IAQ monitoring devices, can be interpreted and acted upon. Achievable The advice it provides is also based on the experience of practitioners in the field who see what is possible and achievable in the real world. It is designed as a follow-up to the BESA publication H&W001: A Beginners Guide to Indoor Air Quality published in March in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric. Public Health England estimates the annual death toll in the UK from air pollution at between 24,000 and 36,000 with associated healthcare costs as high as £20bn. The role played by indoor air both in transmission of disease and the general health and wellbeing of building occupants became headline news during the pandemic and has prompted unprecedented interest in how buildings are ventilated. The BESA Guide has also been produced in the wake of a report commissioned by the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, which highlighted the importance of building ventilation in reducing the risk of Covid-19 and other infections. The report was published by the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), which is a group of 43 professional engineering organisations representing 450,000 engineers. It found that ventilation was often neglected, and that the Covid-19 crisis had revealed flaws in the design, management, and operation of buildings. It advised Sir Patrick that, unless these flaws were addressed, they could disrupt the management of this and future pandemics and impose high financial and health costs on society. Nathan Wood, chair of the BESA Health & Wellbeing in Buildings group, said this was a significant moment for anyone working to improve the indoor environment. “The very fact that such a senior adviser is taking a close interest in how the engineering profession can be deployed to tackle a health and wellbeing issue shows just how high this has risen up the political agenda,” he said. “People now need reassurance that buildings are being adequately ventilated, and the air monitored to minimise the threat from contaminants and viruses. This new BESA Guide aims to do just that, but it also goes further. “Rather than purely focusing on preventing infection and death, which is often the approach of academic and regulatory work, it also promotes a positive approach to setting IAQ standards that will give people a healthier, more comfortable, and more productive experience inside buildings.” He pointed to research carried out by Harvard University in the US that showed a 61% improvement in cognitive function for students in a well-ventilated, clean environment. “The outdoor, ambient air pollution guidance levels adopted by governments are usually based on mortality and morbidity, tempered by what is regarded as economically feasible. That compromise reduces investment in the health and wellbeing benefits,” added Wood. Enjoyment “By contrast, a health and wellbeing approach considers how good IAQ can improve productivity and enjoyment of a space and supports the principle that people should be able to inhabit ‘safe havens’ where the indoor air is better than the polluted outdoors. Unfortunately, in too many cases, the opposite is currently true.” The BESA Guide refers to established guidelines including those provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which are due to be updated later this year. It also signposts other sources of authoritative advice on volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide/oxides, ozone, radon, and airborne micro-organisms. It also recommends monitoring CO2 and a range of IAQ factors to balance good air quality with reduction of internally and externally sourced contaminants. Its guidance will also be offered to the BSI to help shape the draft BS40101 ‘Building performance evaluation of occupied and operational buildings’, which is due to be published in November and is currently the subject of a public consultation. “I would like to thank the amazing people who contributed so much of their time and expertise to the preparation of this guidance, particularly Douglas Booker, Craig Booth, Peter Dyment, and Shaun Hill; supported by the wider membership and staff of BESA,” said Wood. The guidance can be downloaded for free here.
It is common that one of the main concerns to take into account when travelling is the hotel where you are going to stay, especially if you are going to stay for a long period of time. Clients tend to look for a hotel in accordance with their economic possibilities and always taking into account their needs. It is true that the design of the hotel, the construction of the building, the reception area and the lounge/dining room for meals are one of the main attractions before deciding to stay in a specific hotel. But what really pleases a client the most and what he/she will notice the most is the room where he/she is going to stay and feel comfortable after a whole day working or sightseeing. That is why every detail counts, from a comfortable bed to a warm and pleasant light. So, what about the security in a room? Can we guarantee the safety of our most precious valuables or the money we want to keep in the room? In this sense, it is important to have an electronic lock with an attractive design and which, of course, fulfils its main function: guaranteeing security through state-of-the-art opening systems such as Bluetooth, numerical code or proximity cards. A good combination of design and functionality will make the customer feel in his comfort zone and give the hotel in question a good appearance and care for its guests. In the following, you will find two types of electronic locks chosen for their design and minimalism and which can be found for sale at Omnitec Systems, a company with more than 25 years of experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of locks, minibars, access controls and safes. Therefore, it is a company that manufactures and offers solutions for hotels, always focusing on the most appropriate and minimalist design possible that enhances the guest experience and the feeling of luxury. The EVO electronic lock This first type of electronic lock, noted for its minimalism and subtlety, is often one of the best and most common choices for hotels looking for high technological features combined with a minimalist, attractive and user-friendly design. What is most striking about this electronic lock is its mechanism, as it is fully integrated into the door. The only thing that is visible is the doorknob, the keyhole and the reader that works via Bluetooth and Smartphone or with a MiFare proximity card. Depending on the preferred configuration, no electronic mechanisms will be visible, thus fully respecting the decorative concept of the hotel and the interior of the room. It is a very discreet, elegant electronic lock that fits both classic and more modern styles. In addition, this type of lock guarantees maximum security for guests and their belongings, as the system used to open and close the door can always be synchronised with the hotel’s reception computers, and you can alway opt for remote opening and management. OS-SLIM Secondly, there is the OS-SLIM option, an electronic lock with a high technological level in a sleek profile design. As mentioned in the previous case, this lock is also a very elegant option and stands out for its modern anddetailed technological configuration system. This model offers a clean, modern and innovative feel to the door and the surrounding space, both to the guests in the room and to anyone passing by. Its finishes are combined with black, white and gold; these colours use a VPD (Vapour Phase Deposition) lacquering process that makes the lock highly resistant and prevents any possible future corrosion. Thus, this model is currently very popular in the hotel sector, especially because of its design that integrates perfectly into any type of design, as well as for its results of use. It has a Bluetooth opening system with a MiFare proximity card or remotely through the Gateway. In short, this type of electronic security system is becoming more and more common in the hotel sector, which is why it is recommended that you contact the Omnitec team if you have any doubts about this type of electronic lock, as they will be fully prepared to help you and provide your hotel’s security system with modernity and comfort.
Two tech companies have joined forces to create a new turnstile with an in-built software system to improve safety and security on construction sites across the UK and Ireland. Security technology company Envision Intelligent Solutions, which also has offices in Northern Ireland, England and the USA, teamed up with software development firm NTD (North Time and Data) to launch the latest development of their bespoke security turnstile that uses facial recognition technology and records temperatures to help ensure a Covid-free workspace. The Gateway Turnstile, which is manufactured by Envision, incorporates a new cloud-based software system that links directly to the company’s payroll and HR systems. The first turnstile with the new cloud-based software has rolled off the production line and has been shipped to a large building site in Chepstow in Wales for construction fit-out company Beacons Business Interiors (Bbi Group). Philip Murdock, Envision IS Managing Director said: “Our clients in the construction industry asked for a bespoke security system that incorporated facial and thermal access readers with a time and attendance system, which is completely cloud networked. During the pandemic, they needed a contactless product that could link back to their head office and provide the data in real time.” Amanda Campbell Envision IS Commercial Director added: “Envision moved quickly to get contactless turnstiles to the marketplace to support construction companies to keep sites open and personnel safe.” Envision partnered with NTD to create the cloud software for the new turnstiles that gave construction companies improved security and communications between the sites and their head offices. NTD adapted its successful NT Pro Workforce Management System to the requirements of the construction industry. NTD Managing Director Stephen Brown explained: “The Biometric Facial Recognition Terminals and NT Pro Software not only record the time and date of an employee coming onto a construction site, but it also takes their temperature and alerts management if an employee has a high temperature. We believe that with this partnership, there will be a well-structured and user-friendly system that makes it easy for smooth operations and overall profit maximization.” The software comes with modules that are particularly useful to construction site security. For example, it allows companies to upload CSR/CSCS qualifications and gives access to personnel training files that can all be viewed from the live dashboard ensuring health and safety qualifications are up to date. Additionally, the software provides full job costing, financial reporting and statistics. The first turnstile was shipped to commercial fit-out specialists Bbi Group, which design, fit-out and refurbish commercial premises across the UK. The company has secured a contract to completely refurbish a 20,000m2 storage warehouse in Chepstow and will have approximately 100 people working on site over the 13-month period. Dave Bastier from Bbi said the company chose the Envision Gateway turnstile as it needed an efficient means to control access to and from site that would not cause an issue with social distancing and contamination of touch surfaces. He said: “The Envision Gateway has been positioned between the car park and the principal entrance to site and provided the perfect solution to that need. Training and backup for our site administrator has also been excellent.” For more information on the Gateway Turnstile go to www.envision-is.co.uk
The popularity of indirect free cooling of data centres in the Nordics region could place facilities at risk of corrosion if conditions are not correctly controlled this summer, according to temporary solutions specialists Aggreko. According to a recent market report by Arizton, the Nordic region can facilitate up to 8,400 hours of data centre free cooling annually due to its colder climate. Though incoming ambient air is filtered before entering the controlled data centre environment, this process can result in temperature rises of two to four degrees. When combined with rising summer temperatures, data centre sites may experience higher moisture levels that could lead to condensation forming and rising water temperatures. Keeping key data centre components like electrical distribution systems dry and within a certain temperature band phase is crucial to ensuring its continued running. According to Aggreko, not taking steps to account for changing temperatures during the construction phase could lead to long-term damage that could impair functionality and void warranties. “The ability to use the climate as a resource to help free-cool facilities is one of many reasons the Nordics region appeals to organisations looking to construct data centres,” says Greger Ruud, Sector Development Manager – Nordic Datacenters at Aggreko. “However, it must be noted that like any other region, there are fluctuations in temperature depending on geography and the seasons, so conditions will occur that make free cooling more challenging. “Site managers must therefore be aware that a rise in ambient air temperature will be reflected in the data centre environment, especially with filtration processes generating added heat. As such, plans should be put in place to cool facilities and maintain controlled conditions during the upcoming warmer months.” Additional cooling solutions like chillers and dry coolers may be used to ensure controlled temperatures during warmer periods. But with this further cooling capacity only required for a short but critical time period, expensive new equipment bought for this purpose will likely be redundant for long stretches. An innovative strategic hire approach may therefore represent the best way of alleviating both financial and humidity risks. “Optimum conditions for free cooling occur in the Nordics for the majority of the time, but crucially, not all of the time,” Greger concludes. “These temporary conditions require a temporary response, so hiring data centre cooling equipment like chillers and dry chillers may appeal. “Taking this approach can help site managers to alleviate damage risks without being shackled to expensive, permanent equipment that will not require year-round use. With COVID continuing to constrain budgets in all sectors, this freedom can allow contractors to be more dynamic as pandemic-enforced social restrictions are loosened and demand rises further.” For more information on chiller and dry cooler solutions for your data centre site, visit www.aggreko.com/datacentre.
A leading independent lighting manufacturer says retrofitting outdated lighting systems will be key to improving energy use across the public sector, as more local authorities commit to beefing up their net zero plans. UK100, a network for UK locally elected leaders, recently announced that nearly 60 local authorities, representing 35% of the UK population, had committed to meeting net zero at least five years earlier than central government1. Tamlite’s Head of Market Intelligence Colin Lawson says that whilst innovative technologies are quite rightly at the forefront of plans to achieve these ambitious targets, with 404 local authorities in the UK, more can be done, and there are simple and cost-effective measures that can be introduced by public sector organisations. Indeed, he believes many have forgotten the impact lighting can have on reducing carbon emissions and cutting energy bills. By replacing outdated lighting systems, coupled with intelligent control systems, it will help the public sector make their buildings more efficient. He comments: “Local authority leaders are showing real commitment to achieving net zero targets ahead of 2050. And whilst many are looking towards new technologies as the core of their decarbonisation plans, we cannot forget the simple steps that can be taken to make sure carbon reduction targets are met. “Lighting is a huge source of energy consumption in the public sector, and small changes can make a big difference. Replacing outdated lighting with modern LED systems can effectively reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Such retrofitting upgrades are easy to do and should be seen as the key component of the Government’s green strategy allowing public sector organisations to make a long-term commitment to net zero carbon emissions.”
Perimeter security is a vital element of any construction project, but getting the right design, the best products and a quality installation can be a real headache for developers. With so many points of contact typically involved, from designers, engineers, and installers, this often leads to conflicting views, constant design changes and, inevitably, higher costs. By working with Berry Systems at the planning stage of a project, contractors can benefit from their years of experience to expertly lead and manage the perimeter security requirements of a development, from design to completion. “Our knowledge of the perimeter security market means we are perfectly placed to provide the best possible solutions,” says Dannyjo Cox, Head of Commercial and Perimeter Security at Berry Systems. “We can ensure the most suitable, cost-effective designs, the correct products and expert installation – all with one point of contact. “Our extensive industry knowledge means we can identify important factors in the design process that can often get missed and lead to delays. We take a number of aspects into account including risk, buildability and cost to create the best possible outcome, eliminating the need to re-work any designs, as all potential issues are addressed early on.” 2020 saw Berry Systems become the latest member of HS Security, a collaboration of seven of the world’s leading physical security firms. As the installation arm of the group, Berry are able to provide a full end-to-end service. Dannyjo adds: “The more people that are involved in the production process, the more hurdles there are to overcome, as things are often missed by designers or suppliers. Our involvement with HS Security means that we can eliminate these hurdles to make the project run smoothly. “We can provide expert design, the best products and meticulous installation – all with one point of contact and a single guarantee – saving on time, hassle and cost.”
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has praised the British Standards Institute (BSI) for deciding to speed up the development of a new standard for measuring indoor environment quality (IEQ). Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 3003 was championed by engineering firm EFT Consult, which has been working on it for six years. The BSI has now decided to accelerate that work into a full British Standard (BS 40101 Building Performance Evaluation) to be published later this year. The new standard will closely follow the work already completed by EFT Consult and its partners, including BESA’s Health & Wellbeing in Buildings group, providing guidance on efficient and suitable lighting, heating, ventilation, and minimising the unwanted and harmful effects of air and noise pollution to improve the health and wellbeing of occupants. The new standard may also provide benchmarks for a Wellbeing Performance Rating that could be applied to any building. Chris Jenkins, director at EFT Consult and lead author of the PAS, said the BSI’s decision was “good news for anyone who works in an office or regularly visits a building – and that’s just about everyone”. “Rather than simply being a recommended code of best practice…all of the important recommendations our combined work has highlighted will now be given the full weight of a British Standard,” he added. BESA chief executive David Frise said that by fast-tracking the PAS work into a full standard the BSI was responding to growing public understanding of the impact indoor environments had on health and wellbeing. He urged the team putting the standard together to be ambitious in the measures they set to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in particular. “This is an important piece of work because whatever standards we agree now will be applied for many years to come and could have an enormous impact on the health and wellbeing of future generations of building occupants,” said Frise. “The Association was grateful for the opportunity to support the development of the PAS and is standing by to provide any further assistance it can to those writing the new British Standard.” BESA said the standard should reflect the latest thinking from around the world including new air quality guidance about to be produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Union, which is expected to set new air quality targets this year. Frise added that any measures proposed should also be specific to conditions inside buildings. “The government’s primary focus tends to be on outdoor pollution, but IAQ is a very different challenge, and it can often be many times worse than the conditions around the building,” he said. “Our members repeatedly encounter the serious problems caused by poor IAQ and have good practical experience of what it takes to fix it. We have a duty to turn buildings into ‘safe havens’ that protect people from the worst effects of airborne viruses and particulate matter so everyone can enjoy better health and wellbeing.”www.theBESA.com/iaq
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Specialists S&P UK have released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural ventilation should be used to improve air quality and curb the risk of contracting airborne diseases such as Covid in indoor environments. With lockdown easing and the UK vaccination rollout on track, more businesses, office managers, headteachers and other building owners are seeking clarity from the government, the scientific community and industry bodies on how best to minimise the spread of Covid in an enclosed space. Covid is spread via infectious aerosols which can stay airborne for long periods, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. The study by S&P UK found mechanical ventilation systems reduce by half the risk of Covid aerosol transmission compared to natural ventilation, such as opening windows and doors which has the added disadvantage of letting in noise, pollution and cold air in the winter. The detailed scientific modelling and analysis by S&P researchers considered three scenarios: schools, offices, and bars/restaurants. After four days in a classroom of 24 students wearing masks and an infected teacher, the accumulated probability of infection is 21% with natural ventilation – or five pupils infected. With the mechanical one, it is 9% – or two pupils infected. With no ventilation, seven contract Covid. If a student is positive rather than the teacher, the numbers are halved. In the winter, opening windows for 10 minutes every hour results in a 4.8% infection rate, meaning four cases after day four – twice as high. Meanwhile, in a restaurant with 35 unmasked customers but a masked infected waiter, with natural ventilation, two customers are infected in the first two hours, and two more are infected over the second two-hour period, giving a total of four cases. With mechanical, it is halved to one infected customer in each two-hour period, or a total of two. In an open plan office with 40 workers where one is infected, with everyone wearing masks, there are four infected employees after four days with natural ventilation, and two with mechanical. With no masks, it rises to 13 with open windows and eight with mechanical. There are long-held concerns that most offices only recirculate existing air with air-conditioning units, rather than pumping in fresh air using mechanical ventilation systems. “Our research shows that investing in mechanical ventilation systems must be considered by anyone who helps to manage any indoor space, whether that’s a headteacher, an office manager or a restaurant owner. That’s because our evidence is clear: mechanised ventilation systems are twice as good as natural ventilation when it comes to reducing the risk of spreading airborne diseases like Covid-19 indoors,” said Alex Finch, managing director of S&P UK. “There’s plenty of generic advice on ventilation but so many sections of society are crying out for official and clear-cut guidance on the exact best ventilation for typical scenarios. We also recognise that the failure to distinguish between indoor mechanical or natural ventilation as part of this ongoing debate is not surprising as it’s a complex and new challenge. “But we believe our research, inspected by our technical teams, will add some weighty evidence for specialists across the H&V sector and can help provide clarity for those who are looking to actively improve their work environments to minimise transmission of Covid.”
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Ventilation specialists S&P UK has released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural ventilation should be used to improve air quality and curb the risk of contracting airborne diseases such as Covid in indoor environments. With lockdown easing and the UK vaccination rollout on track, more businesses, office managers, headteachers and other building owners are seeking clarity from the government, the scientific community and industry bodies on how best to minimise the spread of Covid in an enclosed space. Covid is spread via infectious aerosols which can stay airborne for long periods, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. The study by S&P UK found mechanical ventilation systems reduce by half the risk of Covid aerosol transmission compared to natural ventilation, such as opening windows and doors which has the added disadvantage of letting in noise, pollution and cold air in the winter. The detailed scientific modelling and analysis by S&P researchers considered three scenarios: schools, offices, and bars/restaurants. After four days in a classroom of 24 students wearing masks and an infected teacher, the accumulated probability of infection is 21% with natural ventilation – or five pupils infected. With mechanical ventilation, it is 9% – or two pupils infected. With no ventilation, seven contract Covid. If a student is positive rather than the teacher, the numbers are halved. In the winter, opening windows for 10 minutes every hour results in a 4.8% infection rate, meaning four cases after day four – twice as high as mechanical ventilation. Meanwhile, in a restaurant with 35 unmasked customers but a masked infected waiter, with natural ventilation, two customers are infected in the first two hours, and two more are infected over the second two-hour period, giving a total of four cases. With mechanical ventilation, it is halved to one infected customer in each two-hour period, or a total of two. With an infected customer instead of the waiter, with open windows, three customers contract Covid by the end of night. With mechanical ventilation, it is one. In an open plan office with 40 workers where one is infected, with everyone wearing masks, there are four infected employees after four days with natural ventilation, and two with mechanical. With no masks, it rises to 13 with open windows and eight with mechanical. There are long-held concerns that most offices only recirculate existing air with air-conditioning units, rather than pumping in fresh air using mechanical ventilation systems. The authors, S&P Global CFD (computational fluid dynamics) engineers Albert Carrasquer and Jordi Fabregat, concluded: “[Mechanical] ventilation can reduce more than twofold the infection risk when compared to open windows. If a lower infection risk is desired, installation must deliver higher ventilation rates than those defined by [British] standards.” The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) says building ventilation should be “integral to the Covid risk mitigation strategy for all multi-occupant public buildings and workplaces”. Alex Finch, managing director of S&P UK, said: “Our research shows that investing in mechanical ventilation systems must be considered by anyone who helps to manage any indoor space, whether that’s a headteacher, an office manager or a restaurant owner. “That’s because our evidence is clear: mechanised ventilation systems are twice as good as natural ventilation when it comes to reducing the risk of spreading airborne diseases like Covid-19 indoors. “There’s plenty of generic advice on ventilation but so many sections of society are crying out for official and clear-cut guidance on the exact best ventilation for typical scenarios. We also recognise that the failure to distinguish between indoor mechanical or natural ventilation as part of this ongoing debate is not surprising as it’s a complex and new challenge. “But we believe our research, inspected by our technical teams, will add some weighty evidence for specialists across the H&V sector and can help provide clarity for those who are looking to actively improve their work environments to minimise transmission of Covid.” S&P UK Ventilation Systems is the UK subsidiary of leading global manufacturer Soler and Palau, and is the sole UK distributor of commercial, industrial and residential fans and ventilation systems. Operating nationally, S&P UK Ventilation Systems is a leading fan, air movement and ventilation systems provider offering over 10,000 products along with technical sales support and consultancy. It is a subsidiary of Spanish owned S&P Group, whose global operations span over 90 countries and includes major R&D centres in Europe, Singapore, USA and Brazil.
