Ventilate in fight against corona With 3 practical tips!
Ventilation has always been important, but now it has received even more attention. A healthy indoor climate is important for your health, concentration and feeling comfortable. However, ventilation has become even more important with the advent of corona. But why is it so important and what is the best way to ventilate against corona? We tell you here.
Why is it important to ventilate well, especially with corona?
Corona is mainly transmitted when a person is in close contact with an infected person (within 1.5m). WHO research shows that the virus can spread through an infected person's mouth or nose. The virus spreads in smaller liquid particles when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, breathes heavily or talks. These smaller particles can vary in size, from the slightly larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. Under some circumstances, aerosols can even travel a distance greater than 1.5m. This is the case, for example, in rooms where there is no or little ventilation and/or many people are together for an extended period of time. Proper ventilation can reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in indoor spaces.
In Belgium, the government has established 3 guidelines to reduce infections:
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly; hygiene measures remain essential
- Keep 1.5m distance from others
- Outdoor activities should be preferred wherever possible. Where necessary, indoor spaces should be adequately ventilated
The WHO has recommended ensuring good ventilation in indoor spaces, to which it has responded the government with the following basic measure: Ideally, keep CO2 levels below 900 ppm.
Aero…what?
Aerosols are very small particles that can remain in a room for an extended period of time. We all produce aerosols, for example when coughing and sneezing, but also when talking. It has recently been shown that corona can also spread through these smallest particles. For example, these "corona droplets" can linger in the lift for 15 minutes after a coughing fit. There are also situations where extra-large aerosols can be produced, for example in the ICU or in dental practices.
air purifiers including a HEPA filter can remove these particles from the air.
How can I properly ventilate against coronavirus?
You can ventilate well and get fresh air into your home through various ways. For instance, you can use balanced ventilation (system D) where the room is ventilated while heat is not lost, or mechanical ventilation (system C). You can also opt for natural ventilation. You can then install ventilation grills in walls and/or doors. How long should you ventilate? It is best to ventilate all day. Within half an hour, clean air becomes polluted again. To ventilate optimally, windows should be open for at least 15 minutes every hour and ventilate mechanically 24/7. The government recommends that CO2 levels in a room should ideally not exceed 900 ppm and under no circumstances exceed 1,200 ppm. You can measure this well with a CO2 monitor.
Note: Make sure these systems are on or open all day. If this is not the case, the clean air becomes polluted again within half an hour and health risks arise again.
While purchasing and turning on/opening the ventilation are the first steps to a well-ventilated space, it is also incredibly important to maintain the ventilation systems. This is partly done by replacing filters and cleaning the ventilation ducts. When this is not the case, the air can still be harmful to your health. You can read more about maintenance and cleaning of ventilation systems in this blog.
CO2 too high? Time to ventilate!
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the key indicator of a healthy indoor climate. When there are (too) many people in a room, a lot of CO2 is exhaled. When there is too little fresh air in proportion, the CO2 level becomes too high, the indoor climate becomes unhealthy and the risk of corona spreading increases. A CO2 monitor indicates indoor air quality by measuring carbon dioxide. With a CO2 meter, you learn to ventilate, so to speak. As a human being, you cannot perceive a healthy or unhealthy indoor climate. When you experience complaints such as headaches, fatigue, etc., the CO2 level is extremely high. With an air quality meter, you know when it is time to improve the air quality in your home. Read more about this in our blog How does a CO2 meter work?
Humidity and the coronavirus
Besides good ventilation, a good balance in humidity can also help reduce the spread of corona virus. Especially in winter, indoors can get very dry. The government recommends keeping humidity between 40 and 60%. Humidity can be measured with CO2 meters, among other things. You can increase the humidity in your home by putting more plants in the house, letting laundry dry in the room or buying a humidifier.
Air currents and corona
When you ventilate indoors, attention should be paid to the air currents. When there are many air currents, the clouds of aerosols are disrupted. This prevents corona particles from being transferred from one person to another. However, when there is one strong airflow, the chances of corona transfer are higher. So when you want to keep corona out and ventilate with an air conditioner or swing fan, you need to ensure multiple air flows and not strong air flows going from person to person. Are you alone in a room? Then, of course, this is not a problem.
Our tips on ventilation to fight corona
TIP 1: VENTILATE 24/7
The REHVA states that it is really necessary to ventilate 24/7. Even when no one is present in a room, it is necessary to ventilate. This way, you always ensure adequate air circulation and a healthy indoor climate. By using demand-controlled ventilation, the system always provides the required air circulation in a certain room.
TIP 2: ENSURE AIR FLOW
Just using an extractor while cooking or showering, for example, is not enough to ventilate a room. A supply of fresh air is also needed. Opening a window will then not suffice. If you want to open the window, make sure there are two of them instead of one. Also make sure these windows face each other and keep them open for at least 15 minutes.
TIP 3: MEASURING = KNOWING
You can use a CO2 monitor to measure air quality in the home. Preferably keep the air around 600 ppm (parts per million). By using a CO2 monitor, you will know exactly when the indoor air is no longer optimal or healthy, and you can take action based on the monitor.
Also view
- How pure is the air in your home?
- Where are CO2 meters mandatory?
- The importance of air purifiers
Products
- Air Purifier
- CO2 monitors
- Mechanical ventilation
- Humidifier
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