The importance of infection control and the impact of operating conditions on the built environment have taken renewed focus in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of the ongoing response, industry organizations, such as the American Society of Heating and Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), have released updated considerations for design and construction professionals, including airflow strategies and temperature and humidity controls, as well as ventilation and pressurization.
The $48-million Aquatic Center at Mylan Park (ACMP), Morgantown, West Virginia, is a state-of-the-art indoor pool complex that stands as one of the country’s most advanced natatorium designs. The designers substituted metal duct with fabric to help cut HVAC material and labor costs and fast-track the project.
Building owners, designers, and residents/tenants are increasingly using exposed polished concrete floors for a variety of interior spaces because of its pleasing aesthetics. A polished concrete topping slab can be used to also encase embedded hydronic heating systems.
When Deloitte, a global professional services firm, set out to find a new building to house its Amsterdam office, it wanted one that would change the world, as well as comply with the European Union’s (EU’s) Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU.
To provide personalized temperature control, while maintaining low initial costs and simplified installation, hotels and dormitories often use packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC) units. However, penetration of façade systems with PTAC units compromised by poor detail design and/or improper installation has led to water infiltration and moisture-related problems.
