HVAC Servicing
A certified BC Comfort Technician can:
Verify that there is proper separation between outdoor air intakes and exhaust discharge outlets. This prevents/limits re-entrainment of potentially contaminated exhaust air.
Measure and balance your airflow and building pressurization.
- Review whether additional ventilation can be provided without impacting current equipment performance.
- Verify coil velocities and coil and unit discharge air temperatures required to maintain desired indoor conditions.
- Review if outdoor airflow rates are up to the most current ASHRAE standards or province-adopted code requirements.
- Verify that all system filters are installed correctly and that they meet and exceed the latest building code standards.
Perform an initial air-flush of all spaces prior to all occupants re-entering the building.
- We recommend that all mechanical systems be operated in occupied mode for a minimum period of one week before occupants return.
Install UV-C lights arrays in select air handling units around your building to add another layer of defense against potentially harmful pathogens.
HVAC Operations
A certified BC Comfort Technician can setup your system to:
Maintain proper indoor air conditions (temperature and humidity) to limit potential for mold growth in the building.
Set up a scheduled maintenance plan to ensure that systems regularly maintained, properly serviced and that filters are replaced in the timely manner.
Maintain humidity between 40-60% to reduce potential for airborne viral transmission.
- Changes in humidity during heating season in cold climate could increase potential for condensation in/on building envelope.
- Please consult with a BC Comfort technician to see if this is appropriate for your system.
Incorporate use of tools (BAS, portable data loggers, etc.) to monitor and track humidity levels in each space.
Disable Demand-Controller Ventilation (DCV) systems using carbon dioxide (CO2) systems where possible.
Set up a scheduled maintenance plan to ensure that systems regularly maintained, properly serviced and that filters are replaced in the timely manner.
Plumbing
A certified BC Comfort Technician can:
- Ensure all plumbing systems are flushed to remove potential contaminants from stagnant equipment, piping, fixtures, etc.
- Domestic cold-water systems should be flushed for a minimum period of 5 minutes.
- Domestic hot-water systems should be flushed for a minimum period of 10 minutes.
Operations
Things you can do to minimize risk:
Minimize item sharing (such as printers, appliances, and other communal items) around the office as pathogens can lives on surfaces for hours after contact.
Set strict boundaries on health and safety protocols, such as no handshaking, no physical greetings (hugs and high-fives), social distancing and wearing masks.
Reconfigure your floor plan to include well-spaced desks and partitions to keep people safely distanced.
Consider adjusting employee working hours by creating a rotating team schedule with flexible work hours to decrease traffic.
Place easily identifiable sanitizing stations around the building to ensure that employees and guests have access to sanitizer, particularly upon entering your building.
- Hand sanitizer should have a minimum of 60% alcohol to be effective.
Set rules about face mask use based on the configuration of your building.
- Check with your province or city to see what the most updated regulations are.
Restrict common gathering areas (such as the break room) where employees may have used as communal areas.
- You may need to stagger break times to minimize people gathering in communal areas.