Creating a Healthy Workplace in the COVID-19 Era Making Strides Towards Safety

Each day, it seems, we are learning something new about the COVID-19 virus.  Whether it is about transmission, treatment, or increasing numbers; information is key in the ongoing fight against the virus.  This month, we will touch on Indoor Air Quality concerns and the challenges that COVID-19 presents as it relates to ventilation.   

We have seen hotels, indoor dining, and formal gathering sites re-open throughout the country with extensive assurances of sanitization, but have we seen any venue reopen declaring they have improved or increased ventilation? 

According to the current writings on the CDC website, “Engineering controls are favored over administrative and personal protective equipment (PPE) for controlling existing worker exposures in the workplace because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with the worker.”  High-touch surface sanitization is largely accepted as a way in which facilities can protect against the virus in common areas. The larger concern however, especially with the weather growing colder and fears of increasing outbreaks, is aerosolized COVID-19.  

Aerosolized COVID-19 can be diffused within a space.  However, the concern increases related to repeated exhalations of infected persons within a space, especially when asymptomatic persons are unaware they are doing so.  Stagnant air and recirculated air within offices or other indoor spaces increases the possibility of inhaling the

smaller airborne virus droplets.  Although HVAC systems can spread aerosolized particles, they can also provide fresh air that dilutes their concentration.

We are still researching several potential solutions for neutralizing the virus through HVAC within indoor areas, such as particle filtration, Bipolar ionization, and far-UVC light.    CDA is a leader in this technology, working with forward-thinking vendors and our clients who are planning to stay ahead of the curve.  We are operating with advanced planning, such as retrofitting with MERV 15 filters, adding UV light to HVAC system drain pans, exploring UV lighting, sizing of supply fans to increase air circulation.  At a time when there is so much uncertainty, we can work with you to evaluate possibilities to design a line of defense.

Engineering controls are favored over administrative and personal protective equipment (PPE) for controlling existing worker exposures in the workplace because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with the worker.

CDC

To Revit or Not to Revit

Revit is great for its powerful modeling capabilities and real-time editing features, which help both individual users who are tackling a big project by themselves and teams who are sharing the workload. Revit also gives you a better sense of how your design will interact in the real world, and you’ll be able to instantly incorporate that into your design.  –All3DP

Fortunately, our clients do not have to choose — CDA staff is fully trained in the latest Revit designs, and have been using AutoCAD for over 20 years.  Whichever program your project needs, or a combination of both, we’ve got your design!

MEET CHEWIE
You may have heard him in the background when calling our office, (sorry about that) or been graced by his presence at a prior office visit.   This is Chewie, an almost 2-year old Brussels Griffon, who is our official office mascot.  His likes are shredding drawings, scrounging around desks at lunchtime, and bribes treats.  Dislikes are car rides, baths, and the vet.