World experts discuss the impacts of Covid-19 in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings

Manuel Gameiro da Silva, scientist at the University of Coimbra (UC) and vice president of the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning associations (REHVA), will participate, tomorrow, April 8, in an international seminar about the implications of Covid-19 in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings, especially public buildings.

The seminar “Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning response to COVID-19 Pandemic” results from an invitation made to REHVA by the China Innovation Alliance for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (CAHVAC) for the joint organization of this event. The live debate, which takes place between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm (Portuguese time), will be streamed at: http://m.edu.zhulong.com/live/see_live?id=16367 and http://jungreen.gensee.com/webcast/site/entry/join-9c31876781b645ec81285cce5ebeb0cd

In this seminar, experts from China and Europe will discuss questions about the operation and use of technical building systems in areas with a Covid-19 outbreak, aiming to prevent the spread of the disease by factors associated with HVAC or sanitary distribution systems, especially in public and commercial buildings (offices, schools, shopping centres, sports facilities, etc.).

In the current pandemic context of Covid-19, Manuel Gameiro da Silva supports the position of REHVA, which argues that it is of paramount importance, for example, “in buildings with mechanical ventilation, to extend the periods of operation of ventilation systems and provide as much outside air as is reasonably possible. The key parameter is the amount of fresh air supplied per person. If, due to changes in the work carried out on the site, the number of employees is reduced, the remaining employees should not be allowed to concentrate on smaller areas of work, but the spacing between them should be maintained or widened, in order to improve the effect of cleanliness by ventilation”.

On the other hand, the UC climate specialist recommends that “People should stay away from crowded and poorly ventilated places. In buildings without mechanical ventilation systems, it is recommended to actively use operable windows (even more often than usual, despite causing some thermal discomfort)”