VENTILATION BEST PRACTICES FOR BUILDINGS

At Foothill-De Anza Community College District, focus has been placed on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and naturally ventilated spaces. Staff are making every effort to ensure the buildings at the district have adequate ventilation, either using mechanical or natural means. In addition, the district has met Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requirements by enhancing ventilation, air flow, and filtration in the buildings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a layered approach to this mitigation, including appropriate ventilation of indoor spaces. In addition to ventilation improvements, the layered approach includes physical distancing, wearing face masks, hand washing, and vaccination. It is worth noting that there is little evidence to suggest that COVID-19 is spread through HVAC systems.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requires the district to maximize ventilation with outdoor air and install the highest level of filtration efficiency compatible with the existing ventilation systems, all of which the district has done wherever possible. Though research is ongoing, the District’s Facilities and Operations department continues to follow the guidance provided by Cal/OSHA to reduce risk for faculty, staff, students, and visitors at all campus sites.