Analysis of Educational Building's Ventilation Suitability to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)

ABSTRACT

In a larger educational building in Slovenia, we examined the efficiency of ventilation systems by analysing the operation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in several classrooms. Using the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) COVID-19 ventilation calculator, the probability of infection due to the spread of coronavirus through aerosol particles and the reproduction number were calculated based on the classroom occupancy, ventilation rates, and other parameters (i.e., classroom characteristics, preventive measures). Firstly, different levels of ventilation capacity (50 % and 80 %) were applied. Considering the distance between occupants 1.5 m and wearing the masks of all participants, the probability of infection during lectures was always lower than 1 %. Secondly, the maximum number of students that can attend lectures is about 30 %, as calculated according to the legal requirements, recommendations, and given conditions.