The built environment is changing and complex. Building owners and engineers are aware of this. Every building has its own unique challenges, which can change from one hour to the next and season to another.
Health experts agree that indoor disease transmission risk varies based on factors such as occupant density, traffic and work flows, and “hot spots”, like food preparation areas. Hand-washing practices, personal protective equipment, and social distancing are all factors. The most difficult of these to assess is the airborne threat from droplet nuclei or aerosols that are suspended in the air for long distances. In a letter signed by over 200 scientists and engineers in July 2020, they concluded that there is “every reason to expect” SARS-CoV-2 spread by airborne microdroplets. The authors suggested that additional attention be paid to effective ventilation, along with measures designed to improve airborne infection control.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in response to this information, concluded that short-range aerosol spread in crowded indoor spaces with inadequate ventilation over a long period of time among infected people “cannot ruled out”.

A recent evaluation of virus contained in air-handling system also recommended a number measures that can improve the effectiveness of an HVAC system in reducing transmission. These findings, while still being analyzed, reinforce that buildings are an important part of the first-line of defense for reducing COVID-19 spread. The importance of indoor air quality is crucial to the defense. Owners may take specific measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Some owners may seek specific actions to reduce the threat of disease transmission. IAQ optimized to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), increase carbon dioxide, and improve outdoor air ventilation has shown to significantly enhance cognitive function of office workers in nine different measurements, including crisis response, strategy, and information usage. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommends that building owners perform a “tactical Commissioning” of the system in order to make sure that it’s operating according to design conditions and current operation strategies. It is typically done with the assistance of a certified and licensed commissioning provider, test and balance companies and/or building automation systems companies.