HVAC SYSTEM
Facilities Services has adjusted HVAC systems to provide the maximum possible outside air in most buildings. We have also performed additional mechanical maintenance and repairs to ensure the continued function of the systems.
VENTILATION
Ventilation is the introduction of outside air into a space. Under normal operations, most HVAC systems recirculate some air to save energy. The system will mix in some outdoor air based on the code requirements for the space type and its designed occupancy. A typical ventilation rate is 15 cubic feet per minute of outdoor air, per person.Both the outdoor air and the recirculated indoor air are filtered by the HVAC system before being supplied to the occupied spaces.
Other HVAC systems (primarily those serving lab and animal spaces) operate at 100% ventilation rates, meaning they supply only outside air to occupied spaces and do not recirculate any air.
During the pandemic, Cal OSHA guidelines have required the campus to “maximize ventilation and filtration” where feasible.
Facilities Services has done this by changing most buildings to 100% outside air, meaning no recirculation, in all buildings in which the system can perform this way. In the very few buildings which require some recirculation, the amount of outside air has been maximized as close as possible to 100%. Some campus buildings do not have mechanical ventilation at all. In most cases, these buildings have operable windows which can be used to provide air flow.
Facilities Services replaces building air filters as necessary to keep them at their highest capacity.
FS has performed repairs and preventive maintenance of fans and air handlers to make sure they are functioning as they should.