Ashraestandard170pdf17
Demi Kemmeries
ASHRAE Standard 170: Ventilation of Health Care Facilities
ASHRAE Standard 170 is a national voluntary consensus standard that provides minimum requirements for the design, construction, and operation of ventilation systems in health care facilities. The standard aims to protect the health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors from airborne infections and contaminants, as well as to provide thermal comfort and indoor air quality. The standard applies to a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, clinics, ambulatory care centers, nursing homes, isolation rooms, operating rooms, laboratories, pharmacies, and more.
The standard was first published in 2008 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in collaboration with the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The standard has been updated several times since then, with the latest edition being ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017. The standard is also referenced by other codes and regulations, such as the International Mechanical Code (IMC), the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation.
What does the standard cover?
The standard covers various aspects of ventilation design and performance in health care facilities, such as:
- Ventilation rates and air changes per hour (ACH) for different types of spaces and functions.
- Airflow direction and pressure relationships between adjacent spaces.
- Air filtration and disinfection methods and efficiencies.
- Temperature and humidity ranges and control.
- Ventilation system commissioning, testing, balancing, monitoring, and maintenance.
- Special considerations for infection control, emergency preparedness, energy efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.
The standard provides tables that specify the minimum ventilation requirements for various types of spaces in health care facilities. For example, Table 7.1 in the standard lists the minimum total ACH, outdoor ACH, filtration efficiency, temperature range, relative humidity range, and airflow direction for spaces such as patient rooms, operating rooms, isolation rooms, laboratories, pharmacies, etc. The standard also provides guidance on how to adjust the ventilation requirements based on factors such as occupancy level, risk assessment, climate zone, etc.
How is the standard updated?
The standard is updated through a continuous maintenance process that allows for regular publication of addenda or revisions. The process involves a Standing Standard Project Committee (SSPC) that consists of experts from various fields related to health care ventilation. The SSPC reviews and responds to change requests from stakeholders and develops addenda or revisions based on consensus. The addenda or revisions are then subject to public review and comment before being approved by ASHRAE, ASHE, and ANSI. The latest addenda or revisions can be found on the ASHRAE website.
Why is the standard important?
The standard is important because it provides a basis for designing and operating ventilation systems that can protect the health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors in health care facilities. Ventilation is a critical factor in preventing the transmission of airborne infections and contaminants in health care settings. Ventilation can also affect the thermal comfort and indoor air quality of occupants. By following the standard's requirements and guidance, health care facilities can ensure that their ventilation systems are adequate, effective, reliable, and compliant with codes and regulations.
Where can I find more information?
If you are interested in learning more about ASHRAE Standard 170 or obtaining a copy of the standard or its addenda or revisions, you can visit the ASHRAE website. You can also find more information on the ASHRAE Learning Institute website, which offers online courses on various topics related to health care ventilation. Additionally, you can contact ASHRAE Customer Service at ord...@ashrae.org or 1-800-527-4723 for any questions or inquiries.
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