TEST & MEASUREMENT SPECIALISTS
GOVERNMENTS ARE NOW SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING A COVID-19 SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN PREMISES TO BUSINESS OWNERS AND MANAGERS... Ventilation – The answer to reducing Covid-19 transmission
A fter almost 18 months of lockdowns and stringent restrictions, offices, schools, factories and entertainment venues have been allowed to open again. Although the majority of restrictions have been lifted, governments are now shifting the responsibility for ensuring a Covid-19 safe environment in premises to business owners and managers. Specifically, they are advised to carry out risk assessments to identify areas with poor ventilation so that they can improve air quality and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Irish Health and Safety Authority (HSA), specifically their Health Protection Surveillance Centre, are asking businesses to look particularly at areas where people work and where there is no mechanical ventilation or natural ventilation coming from open windows, doors, or vents. Site managers also
need to check mechanical systems that provide outdoor air, temperature control, or both. If a system only recirculates air and has no outdoor air supply, the area is likely to be poorly ventilated, which means there could be an increased risk of the virus spreading. Natural ventilation is prone to be worse in the winter when doors are closed and more time is spent indoors, so this should also be taken into consideration. The approach suggested by the HSE and HSA is to use a carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to assess the level of ventilation and air quality in rooms or other enclosed areas. Although CO2 levels are not a direct measure of possible exposure to Covid-19, checking levels using a monitor can help identify poorly ventilated areas so that appropriate adjustments can be made. It should, however, always be kept in mind that CO2 measurements are a broad
guide to the effectiveness of ventilation within a space rather than a tool for establishing ‘safe’ thresholds. More detailed guidance on the use of CO2 monitors can be found here: www. hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment- and-machinery/air-conditioning-and- ventilation, but it’s worth looking at some of the key points. The type of monitor recommended is a portable unit that uses NDIR (non- dispersive infrared) technology and is capable of showing the amount of CO2 in the air in parts per million (ppm). A wide measuring range is useful, as CO2 concentrations can vary widely – from around 400 ppm in locations that are open to the outside air to 1,000 ppm or more in poorly ventilated spaces. (As a guide, values below about 800 ppm are generally considered acceptable for indoor locations). Further, to ensure that the monitor consistently delivers
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