IAQ and occupant health

Almost everyone who works on HVAC in Australia would be familiar with the AS 1668 series. Right now, AS 1668.2 and AS 1668.4 – which between them cover mechanical and natural ventilation in buildings – are open for public comment.

AIRAH’s Infection Control and Operating Theatre Practices Special Technical Group is taking a close look at hospital air quality guidelines.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) using electromagnetic radiation in the UV‑C wavelength band of 200–280nm can prevent the reproduction of microorganisms. Several factors related to UV fixtures, HVAC layout and the resulting airflow flow patterns can affect the performance of upper‑room UVGI applications.

With the release of a fast-tracked pathogen mitigation standard and updates to advice on building ventilation from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the US seems to be taking the lead on indoor air quality. Ecolibrium asked three local experts for their views. Mark Vender reports.

A recent event in Melbourne explored how the themes of sustainability and indoor air quality are intrinsically linked.

The recent Clean Air Forum in Canberra brought together stakeholders across various disciplines to discuss the next steps to improving indoor air quality. AIRAH attended as a peak engineering body.

An innovative research project initiated by the City of Melbourne has increased energy efficiency in office buildings while also decreasing COVID-19 transmission. Louise Belfield reports.

It is now widely accepted that ventilation plays a major role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens, but what are we doing about it? Professor Lidia Morawska fills us in on what is happening – and what we need to tackle next.

There is a growing chorus that now, perhaps more than ever, institutionalised professions need to question conventional practices in response to evolving public need.

As we learn to live with COVID-19, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) has been touted as a potential solution in our return to the workplace. Sean McGowan explores the issues with VA Sciences national division director Simon Witts, M.AIRAH; Mechanical project engineer, principal and Australian discipline leader at Stantec Patrick Chambers, Affil.AIRAH; Litmas technical and managing director Claire Bird, Affil.AIRAH; and Probuild technical director Sean Treweek, F.AIRAH.

AIRAH launches COVID-19 knowledge hub: the IAQ Assembly

A finalist in the Excellence in Sustainability category for the 2021 AIRAH Awards, The Annex at 12 Creek Street is set among Brisbane’s heritage-listed fig trees. As Sean McGowan reports, the building’s design promotes connection with the outdoors, as well as with others.

Hotel quarantine has officially ended in Victoria, with the purpose-built Victorian Quarantine Hub becoming the sole quarantine site for unvaccinated travellers as of this month.

One question that has generated debate in clinical settings is whether UV disinfection contributes to health outcomes when added to existing HEPA filtration systems.

AMCA Australia is hosting a Building Ventilation Summit as a virtual event on February 24 and 25.

AIRAH’s Infection Control and Operating Theatre Practices Special Technical Group has published a document considering common COVID-19 practices in operating theatres.

AIRAH has launched the IAQ Assembly, a free suite of videos, guides and articles that reflect the latest thinking on indoor air quality and preventing the airborne spread of COVID-19.