In our current situation, indoor air quality has gone from a very important issue to a critical one. Healthcare experts say the most dangerous situation for possibly contracting a transmitted airborne virus is indoors, in a contained environment.
Typical HVAC distribution in offices, manufacturing, institutional or retail spaces, distributes the airflow horizontally from grilles high in walls or in the ceiling, using entrainment and mixing to evenly condition the space. This works well in maintaining comfort but is a direct distributor of air in a space; moving potentially contaminated air through the space, to be shared by many in that space.
ATS Engineers, Inspectors & Surveyors (ATS), MEP team has vast experience with options to address this distribution of potentially contaminated air and is ready with over 60 years of combined experience to help you improve existing systems or do a better job for new projects.
One of the best options is a different distribution system, noted as Displacement Ventilation. This is a link to a description of the benefits of displacement ventilation to dramatically lower the distribution of airborne contaminants in an internal occupied area: https://blog.priceindustries.com/improve-air-quality-in-schools-with-displacement-ventilation
The staff at ATS designed the displacement ventilation for Zach Topfer Theater. This has mixed temperature air rising under the seats, up past the audience member then up to a high return, such that no air is shared with others. Adding HEPA filters and UV-C disinfection in the unit can result in the lowest possibility of sharing contaminated air.
Displacement ventilation can be retrofitted to most existing buildings. It is an ideal system for large open areas, such as auditoriums, retail spaces, open offices, etc. Perforated low speed airflow air devices can replace the typical distribution grilles. These allow the airflow to spill across the floor, seeking any heat source, then rising to a high-mounted return, again limiting the sharing of contaminated air.
ATS also has experience designing filtration, UV-C treatment and clean room environments.
Let us help you build or retrofit a space to be safe for all your occupants!
David Mitchell P.E.