SAGE EMG guidance on ventilation and COVID-19
On 23 October 2020, the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) published an Environmental and Modelling Group (EMG) paper on the Role of ventilation in controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission. This paper examines public and workplace settings. Ventilation in domestic environments was covered in the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) and EMG paper, MHCLG housing impacts paper published on 10 September 2020.
[edit] Highlighted recommendations
The paper includes guidelines for better ventilation and indoor air quality in buildings, and introduces proactive measures that should be taken as facilities management teams prepare for employees to return to the workplace.
Recommendations include:
- Developing a risk mitigation plan to weigh up the consequences of opening windows to minimise the spread of infection against thermal discomfort, energy cost, noise disruptions, security and health and wellbeing impacts from exposure to pollutants.
- Identifying parts of the building that have poor ventilation rates (less than five litres per second per person or more than 1500ppm CO2) and prioritise them for remediation.
- Increasing ventilation in areas where there is a greater chance of virus transmission (either through greater concentration of employees or activities that occur in those areas).
The guidance was updated on 23 December 2020 to reflect the more aggressive variant of COVID-19 that was identified in the UK in late 2020.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Back to the workplace: are you prepared?
- Coronavirus and the construction industry.
- Designing HVAC to resist harmful microorganisms.
- Facilities management.
- Health performance indicators in the built environment.
- IAQ developments accelerated by COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ventilation and control of COVID-19 transmission.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.