Current Trends in Design and Installation of Filtration Systems for Building HVAC Security

Nationwide, HVAC designers have recently started including more outside air, up to 60cfm/person, to meet IAQ concerns through dillution.  Complicating the dillution strategy are ASHRAE 90.1 guidelines calling for higher efficiency in building design.  As a result, costly heat exchange devices have become prevelant.  Since September 11th though, the use of outside air has taken on a darker element as designers are asked to protect buildings from potential terrorist attacks that could come in the form of toxic gases released into a building air intake system.

Additionally, 20 - 60 cfm of untreated air presents air quality problems where heavy smog exists, such as hospitals near freeways.  Further, the possibility of a terrorist exposing the occpuants to a simple gas such as chlorine or a virus such as anthrax makes the use of dilution potentially all the more hazerdous.  Large office buildings, airports, government labs, stadium arenas, and other buildings containing large crowds or key societal functions are suceptable to such an attack.

Bring your Vallentine!