11.195 PREFACE 1) The seriousness of the current COVID-19 pandemic is understood by most people and we are united in accepting that we must address the threat. 2) Most people also understand the seriousness of Climate Change and we are united in accepting that we must address that threat. 3) The HVAC suggestions via ASHRAE and REHVA alter the fan systems from mixed air to maximum fresh air, which can increase the systems’ negative impact regarding Climate Change via increasing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere by 700% in some cases. 4) If the suggested improvement to MERV13+ filters will capture the total airborne COVID-19 virus, we may provide protection from the virus and not increase Climate Change. 5) The assumption that the virus can travel from an infected person, through the occupied space and then through the route to the fan system in a remote fan room and back to the occupied space seems questionable when social distancing rules maintain the virus cannot travel more than two metres. 6) A study is required that identifies the virus content in the HVAC air at the defined locations of the drawings on page three of this report. We have to know where the virus actually exists before logical solutions can be established. 7) ASHRAE and Dr. Stephanie Taylor present the fact that relative humidity levels between 40% RH and 60% RH are beneficial to human health and detrimental to viruses. REHVA does not support this claim. This relationship of humidity level is very important in COVID-19 considerations in that introducing larger amounts of cold outdoor air will reduce humidity levels in the occupied space, which will benefit viruses and negatively impact human health, if Dr. Taylor and ASHRAE are correct on this matter. 8) Persons assessing the HVAC situation regarding COVID-19 virus airborne characteristics must not lump all HVAC airflow into one category. They must separate the airflows into: a) Airflow from the supply fan to the point of entering the occupied space. b) Airflow through the occupied space. c) If the virus transmission is in the occupied space, while the supply fan’s air is virus-free, no changes such as more fresh air or better filtration will improve the situation.
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