Updated: March 25, 2022
Due to the airborne nature of COVID-19, Laurier has taken significant steps to update our ventilation to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.
Facilities Asset Management (FAM), with support from Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management (SHERM), began making updates on the ventilation in the summer of 2020.
Laurier has been following the best practices in building design by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which provides guidance on the control of COVID-19 in schools and universities. FAM and SHERM have reviewed this guidance along with guidance from provincial and federal health agencies.
What Has Been Done
Filtration
Filtration has been increased from MERV 8 to MERV 13 in all buildings that have forced air systems. MERV 13 has been recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditions Engineers (ASHRAE) and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Both the CDC and Health Canada recommend the highest filter rating without affecting airflow; MERV 13 is the highest filter rating that can be installed without significantly affecting airflow in our systems.
Ventilation
Ventilation and specifically increased outdoor air and air exchanges are far more important than filtration to reduce transmission risk of airborne viruses. Laurier has increased both in buildings that have forced air systems. In addition, Laurier is performing air flushing, one hour before and one hour after occupancy every day, to replace indoor air with outdoor air.
Testing
Laurier continues to conduct HVAC testing throughout Waterloo and Brantford campus buildings, insuring that the ASHRAE-recommended target ventilation rate of six air exchanges per hour is met. We are working with third-party contractors to verify that systems are being properly maintained and are operating optimally.
Controls are being adjusted to bring in the correct amount of outdoor air and provide the recommended air flow For some of our older building systems. Laurier is also installing permanent airflow monitoring units to conduct real-time measurements.
Focus on Prevention Practises
While filtration and ventilation play a role, our vaccination and face-covering policies, as well as staying home while sick, are more effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Laurier will continue to follow public health guidelines as they evolve to keep faculty, staff and students safe.