Boring but important: HVAC and Covid-19

[Dan Alaimo]

With the school district's fall plan in place, and as questions are being debated about opening local businesses, I want to know if the air filtration systems in local buildings are up to the task of removing the Novel Coronavirus from the air. Recent studies have shown that one of the main ways the virus is transmitted is through the air and that it stays in the air longer than originally thought.

Modern air filtration systems - air conditioning aka HVAC - can do this if they have the right HEPA or MERV filters. I understand that the MERV-13 is ideal, followed by the 12 and 11. The problem is using these on older HVAC equipment. We have many old commercial buildings, but our school buildings are new.

So, straight up, do our school buildings have MERV-equipped HVAC systems, or can they be retrofitted? What is in the codes or standards for school buildings. Once parents understand what this is about, it could make them more, or perhaps less, comfortable sending their children back to school.

Finally, what about the many, many, many small commercial structures in town? What is in the code book for them or what can be reasonably added?

To anyone who knows more than me, feel free to correct, elaborate, and explain. As you can see, I have nothing more than a superficial knowledge of the topic, but I believe it is an important one to put on the table. I would like to learn more about how HVAC filters relate to Lakewood in this time of Covid-19.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Dan-- Thank you for posting this. It's not boring at all when it involves life and death which it does. I'm surprised this discussion wasn't started long ago and it is maybe the first question we need to put to the school district, regarding all of our schools. Part of the high school isn't that new, etc, And even if the buildings are new, do they have the correct kind of filters?

As for the rest of the buildings in Lakewood--- it seems like HVAC and filter salespeople should be having the best sales of their lives.

Please always bring your "boring" ideas to the Deck!

Betsy Voinovich

[pj bennett]

I'm aware of WKYC doing 2 reports on the importance of HEPA filters and their connection to coronavirus.

Here's the link to the first report: https://www.wkyc.com/video/news/health/ ... d976e60dab

The second report was just today at 5pm. I don't see a link for that yet, but the bottom line is that they are essential for people in enclosed spaces. Hospitals already have them in place, but malls, schools, etc. need them.

Problem is....they are expensive.

[Dan Alaimo]

Meanwhile across our Western border...

"HVAC improvements in Rocky River schools to cost $455K; all-day kindergarten will be eliminated this year" https://www.cleveland.com/community/202 ... utType=amp

The story does not specify what the improvements are but says they are.advanced air filtration systems installed because of the coronavirus.

So if a family was looking to buy a house in Lakewood or Rocky River, would this make a difference? Would this make a difference in parents' comfort level in sending kids back to school? Absolutely. So how are the Lakewood schools doing in regard to advanced air filtration?

[Dan Alaimo]

We posted this topic last month and we stll still don't know any more about air filtration in Lakewood than we did then. With Covid-19 transmitted through the air, one would expect this somewhat technical subject to be of high interest, and it is being discussed currently on Facebook of all places. So I post here again to bring the topic to the top.

Surely someone can contribute more informed and substantial content than we started with.

With the changes in school re-opening plans, maybe the District can fill us in on the HVAC systems in the new buildings. Good news there would be reassuring.