Hidden cause for Fierce Covid Spread

Concerns rise about Substandard Ventilation and Air Conditioning in required places.

A Webinar was conducted by the Mechanical Engineering Section of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) two months ago on the topic “Non adherence of International Standards” pertaining to Air Conditioned Spaces in Sri Lanka.

Places such, as the Department of Registration of Persons, Garment Factories, Barracks, etc., where possibilities of triggering Fierce Covid-19 Spread is high, were discussed.

Air Conditioned Spaces and Naturally Ventilated spaces with high occupancy, not adhering to “Air Change Rates” specified by ASHRAE, ISHRAE (American/Indian Societies of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) or other such professional organizations, that lead to SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) and Respiratory Infections in occupants were discussed.

The Engineering Corps of the Indian Army, citing ISHRAE, warned the Indian Covid-19 Task Force in February, 2020.

All air conditioned garment factories, crowded offices, healthcare facilities, etc., should be checked with instruments to ensure required air change rates meet stipulated standards.

This would ensure that foul air is not kept recirculating without induction of fresh air and expulsion of foul air, resulting in high airborne virus density.

Split type ACs, installed in Sri Lanka, do not have provision to feed fresh air. Owners of Central AC installations shut their fresh air intakes incorporated in them to compensate for poor cooling.

BRANDIX Factory’s AC system should be checked.

If AC and Ventilation Standards are not maintained in enclosed spaces with high occupancy, where airborne virus density is bound to rise, the “3 golden rules” masks, social distancing and hand washing alone would not suffice.

NISSANKA SERASINGHE

Consultant – Risk Assessment and Reliability Engineer