Page 11 - NY Cooperator September 2020

COOPERATOR.COM THE COOPERATOR — SEPTEMBER 2020 11 We handle all sprinkler system inspections and violations. • Sprinkler System Design and Installation • Maintenance, repair and service • Flow and Pressure tests • Violation Removals • Monthly Inspections • Stand Pipes and Fire Pumps Big Apple Fire Sprinkler Co. Inc. 64-20 Laurel Hill Blvd. Woodside NY 11377 • 718-205-8580 • Fax 718-205-4590 Email: alevitt@bigapplesprinkler.com = Big Apple Fire Sprinkler_Oct2011.qxp:Layout 1 9/20/11 2:07 PM Page 1 the virus if properly administered,” he says. theoretically that you may have a greater But unfortunately, “\[o\]ne of the hazards of concern about COVID-19 as well, because UV is that it’s also detrimental to humans. air isn’t being properly exchanged or ex- It causes skin cancer, and can cause blind- ness, and it also causes plastic substances to deteriorate. However, it’s been tested and explains, your building should be slightly documented that if properly applied for a positively pressurized, meaning there specific period of time, it will destroy the should be more fresh air coming in than virus.” William T. Payne, a mechanical engi- neer also with O & S Associates, adds that tems are taking fresh air from the roof to “UV has been widely used in healthcare the basement, and pressurizing the build- and hospitals for a long time. It’s a tried- and-true technology, but there is a debate ment doors. That means you shouldn’t use a as to whether or not anyone should be ex- posed to that light—whether the building you need that under-door airflow. That air has to be empty or not \[during treatment\]. is then exhausted through roof fans, or So, running it at night in common areas some other type of equipment through the when no one is around could be an answer kitchens and bathrooms. If you’re smelling to this question, but I would say absolutely someone else’s cooking smells, that means that it’s a viable technology to consider that there’s a problem with the pressuriza- when seeking to kill the virus on surfaces.” Considerations Beyond COVID While technologies and treatments for continues. “The first strategy for dealing COVID-19 are of course foremost in every- one’s mind these days, there’s much more to ing sure that your building pressurization be considered when evaluating the qual- ity of air and venti- lation in your build- ing. In the end, the most important fac- tor for all air quality questions is ventila- tion—how air moves around the building. To a great extent, the analysis and re- mediation required for proper ventila- tion depends on the type of building, as well as its age, size, and design. Prewar buildings are generally when dealing with air quality and ventila- ventilated by windows and courtyards, for tion problems, the first and probably most example, while post-war high-rise build- ings benefit from advances in technology of the problem in the first place. That’s eas- that usually include mechanical ventilation ier said than done, of course. If you have systems within the building core. According to Payne, “Prewar and lower leak that’s letting moisture accumulate, and to mid-rise buildings fall into two catego- ries: You have mechanical ventilation, or out and disinfect the problem area, and you you have ventilation by typical courtyards. should be good to go. That strategy doesn’t Even way back when these properties were work on smokers, however—or on viruses. built, there was a \[building\] code… that You also can’t remove people who have said if you have open windows, they ac- count for some amount of ventilation. Over the decades these codes have gotten more certain conditions,” Payne explains. So and more complicated. In newer buildings, for the moment, in the midst of the CO- we have mechanical ventilation—which, by VID crisis, the answer may not be limited the way, gives us more options dealing with to simply improving ventilation. Buildings contaminants like the COVID virus.” When it comes to air and ventilation their property’s ventilation systems in top systems in multifamily buildings, among mechanical shape, while making special the most common complaints is the trav- eling, lingering smells of cigarette smoke safe from COVID-19 as well. and cooking odors. “If you smell cigarette or marijuana smoke, or cooking odors,” says Payne, “that tells you that your build- ing isn’t breathing properly. Which means hausted.” To achieve proper air exchange, Payne leaving. “If you look at apartment buildings that have mechanical ventilation, their sys- ing, typically pushing air under the apart- towel or other device to reduce that draft— tion balance of the building.” This problem can be managed, Payne with smoke and cooking smells is mak- is correct—that you have proper positive pres- sure from the corridors into the apartment. After you solve that problem, t e c hn o log ies such as charcoal filters and other products that are known to absorb odors can be put to use.” At the end of the day, however, efficient method is to eliminate the source a problem like mold, that’s easy—find the get rid of it. Then clean up the mold, dry contracted COVID. “Source control really only applies to must develop aggressive policies to keep consideration for keeping the community n A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for The Cooperator, and is a published novelist. “If you’re smelling someone else’s cooking smells, that means that there’s a problem with the pressurization balance of the building.” —William T. Payne