Post-Pandemic HVAC Systems Strategies For High-Rise Office Buildings

ABSTRACT

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on building design and strategy will be as revolutionary as the rise of the first skyscraper. COVID-19 and potential future pandemics have forever changed the design approach and methodology for high-rise office buildings. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) operational changes since the onset of the pandemic have been important to improve wellness and increase occupant comfort. These include moves recommended by ASHRAE (such as more outside air, better filters), along with air-cleaning technologies that can readily be added to existing systems, such as Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) and Bipolar Ionization (BPI). But what if future tall buildings were designed to better respond to a pandemic from the start? Moving forward, high-performing buildings should be configured with mechanical systems that minimize or eliminate air mixing between floors. They should optimize ventilation effectiveness within the space. In the increasingly connected world, intelligent sensors can provide air quality data that is useful for both operators and occupants. With forward-thinking transparency, the data can be compiled into meaningful metrics and shared with occupants to give them insight into building operations and performance. © 2020, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. All rights reserved.