On December 7th, 2022, ASHRAE’s board of Directors announced its support for the development of a national indoor air quality (IAQ) pathogen mitigation standard. The goal was set to finalize the consensus-based code enforceable standards within six months.
ASHRAE has been an HVACR industry leader in research, standards writing, publishing, certification, and continuing education since 1894. Along with various strategic partnerships, Standard 241 is one way that ASHRAE has illustrated their commitment to promoting healthy and sustainable environments across the industry.
ASHRAE anticipated and recognized an increase in focus on IAQ by governments and the public. They gathered a team of recognized experts to set and work an accelerated timeline for the development of the standard. Delivery of the standard was to include:
- Both design and operation.
- Alternative paths (prescriptive or performance), in which equivalent clean air would be the goal.
- Testing, verification, documentation, (commissioning) and periodic re-commissioning.
The development of science-based building standards for pathogen mitigation became of great importance with the convergence of flu, respiratory syncytial (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
In March 2022 launch by the U.S. government of the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan which included recommendations to improve ventilation and filtration in buildings. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge was also launched in spring of 2022. In response to COVID-19 the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force released IAQ resources that are now referenced by governments, building owners, and facility manager in the U.S. and internationally.
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