28th May 2020

Monodraught have prepared some ventilation guidance to help advise building occupants where our ventilation products are installed.  Our guidance is based on that issued by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

The Importance of Ventilation

There is evidence that Covid-19 can be spread by very small particles which are released by an infected person when they cough, sneeze, talk and breathe. Larger droplets will fall by gravity and this influences the 2m social distancing measures. However fine aerosol particles can remain airborne for several hours.

Although it can be difficult to definitively prove airborne transmission, we recommend increasing the rate of supply of outside air to occupants wherever it is practical as a precautionary measure.

The underlying principle is to dilute and remove airborne pathogens as much as possible, exhausting them to the outside air and reducing the chance that they can become deposited on surfaces or inhaled by room users.

Direct transfer of air from one room to another should be avoided unless this is the only way of providing adequately high ventilation to all occupied rooms.

In rooms and zones where there is no direct supply of outside air, then consideration should be given to prohibiting access to these spaces, especially where it is likely that they would be occupying such a space for considerable lengths of time (longer than 30 minutes).

Practical actions to improve ventilation

  • Where possible ensure that windows and external doors are opened.
  • Ensure that heating systems remain active despite summer settings that may not run the heating in summer periods. This will prevent discomfort due to increased ventilation.
  • Avoid recirculation/transfer of air from one room to another unless this is the only way of providing adequately high ventilation to all occupied rooms.
  • Run mechanical ventilation systems at higher volume flow rates

Recommended approach where Monodraught ventilation systems are installed

Hybrid ventilation systems provide high levels of external fresh air to single rooms and it is therefore beneficial to utilise these systems to provide ventilation. No alterations are needed.

It is recommended to open windows to aid ventilation. For rooms fitted with Windcatcher natural
ventilation systems,the wall controller should be overridden to force the system open.

Should the room be utilised for long periods you will need to isolate the power for this unit to ensure that the system does not revert to an automatic operation and potentially close.

It is recommended to open windows to aid ventilation.

For further guidance on general ventilation systems advice is available from CIBSE

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