CREJ

September 2020 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 23 ELEMENTS Air Quality • Adjusting the ventilation system controls so that the amount of outside air delivered to the space was in- creased from 25% to 50% of the total circulated air. • Running the restroom exhaust fans 24 hours per day. • Running the ventilation systems on 100% outside air prior to building occupancy to flush the building with fresh air. • Upgrading the ventilation system air filtration from a filter efficiency rating of MERV 11 to MERV 13. Based on current information, MERV 13 filters entrap particles of the size of the airborne virus. We recently supplemented these efforts with the in- stallation of a Needle Point Bipolar Ionization system into the supply air ductwork serving our office space. This system was chosen because it has undergone ini- tial independent testing that indicates it is 99.4% effec- tive in killing the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen responsible for COVID-19, and is used in many health care facilities. Its primary purpose is to provide an additional level of pro- tection from the potential of aerosol-based contaminants in the air stream. We are working with the manufacturer to test the effectiveness of the system in the office envi- ronment. James Moilanen, vice president of real estate at Zaser & Longston, said the result was a win-win. “The costs of the adjustments themselves are minimal, and while we expect an increase in energy usage for the building over- all, we want to take every positive step possible toward ensuring the safety for all tenants and visitors in our building,” he said. We have taken a phased approach with managing our workload by successfully working remotely at the on- set of the pandemic, implementing these air quality im- provement efforts as we reintroduced the opportunity to return to the office. We are working at a reduced den- sity of 40% capacity within the office and implemented health screening including temperature checks for any- one entering our office space, new cleaning protocols, hand sanitizers throughout the office, mandatory masks and social distancing within the office. Teamwork and interaction is key to successful design and construction projects. While technology offers op- portunities to collaborate and develop solutions remote- ly, the physical spaces we occupy and the human interac- tionwithinalso contribute toworkplace culture. Building owners and operators should be taking a close look at the HVAC and controls systems as an important compo- nent in their overall COVID-19 mitigation strategies.\\ gorazio@swansonrink.com WE SPECIALIZE IN: Permit Management Project Submittal Oversight Electronic Submittal Pre-Construction Consulting Commercial Construction Permitting Ground-up/Phased Construction Submittal Strategy Residential Construction Permitting Zoning Resolution Complete Building Permit Management and Consulting Services LET USMANAGETHE PERMITTING PROCESS SOYOU CAN FOCUS ONYOUR PROJECT! 888.755.2469 info@s1permits.com