The proposed ASHRAE standard, SPC 170P, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, will define requirements for ventilation system design intended to provide environmental control for comfort, as well as infection and odor control, in health care facilities.

Currently, conflicting design codes, guides, and methods for ventilation in health care facilities exist, according to Frank Mills, chair of the ASHRAE technical committee on the topic. The proposed standard would recommend a single rate, drawing from different rates by different groups, such as the ASHRAE Handbook, American Institute of Architects guidelines and others, Mills said. ¿There is a need for guidance about types of ventilation systems, their application, operation, and maintenance procedures,¿ he said.

ASHRAE also is seeking persons to serve on SPC 113-1990R, Method of Testing for Room Air Diffusion. The standard defines methods of testing the steady state air diffusion performance of an air distribution system in occupied zones of building spaces. Air velocity and air temperature distributions at specified zone heating or cooling loads and operating conditions are the basis of the test.

Persons or organizations interested in serving on either committee should contact ASHRAE at 404-636-8400, ext. 507; by fax at 404-321-5478; or by e-mail at standards.section@ashrae.org.