The ANSI Federation and standardization community are stepping up with guidance, resources, and initiatives to support public health, safety, and infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak. ANSI is monitoring, sharing, and promoting appropriate news to highlight these efforts. Suggestions for news items may be submitted to [email protected]. All submissions are published at ANSI's discretion.
ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Offers HVAC, Water Supply System Guidance for Polling Places
Election season is here, and ASHRAE has launched new guidance for polling place HVAC systems. ASHRAE's Building Readiness Guidance provides practical information and checklists to help minimize the chance of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The guidance elaborates on recommendations including space selection, inspection and maintenance, and air distribution, among other tips.
"Protecting our voters and poll workers from increasing the spread of COVID-19 at polling places is essential to protecting the health, welfare and safety of the entire population," said Dennis Knight, ASHRAE epidemic task force vice chair. "Many different HVAC system types are used in polling places, so adaptation of these guidelines to specific cases is necessary."
View ASHRAE's complete guidance on HVAC and water supply systems in polling places, along with other COVID-19 resources, via ashrae.org/COVID-19.
NFPA Offers Infographic on Remote Video Inspection Programs
NFPA recently released a new infographic, illustrating five key considerations for Remote Video Inspection (RVI) programs. The graphic emphasizes the "need for defining procedure, communication, technology, verification and completion steps," as national code officials, enforcers, and building professionals re-open occupancies and face an uptick of inspection backlogs.
NFPA reports that video inspections help accomplish critical and emergency permit work; they are not intended to be less complete than an on-site inspection. It elaborates on its blog that RVI is currently in use in select jurisdictions across the United States, although no formal standard currently governs its use. NFPA also notes that NFPA 915, Standard on Remote Inspections, is in the early development stages.
Download the infographic via the NFPA RVI landing page at www.nfpa.org/remoteinspections.
See more ANSI member efforts in the ANSI COVID-19 Resource Webpage Highlighting Standardization Community Response Efforts.