Using Standards to Protect Building Occupants from Wildfire Smoke

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Guidelines for Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events Committee (GPC44).

Early in 2020, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and Office of Research and Development (ORD) worked with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to propose that ASHRAE develop a guideline for protecting building occupants from smoke during wildfire and prescribed burn events. ASHRAE approved the proposal and a Committee (GP44) was formed in mid-2020. EPA's objectives are to ensure that the developed guideline includes the best technology and science related to monitoring of wildfire smoke and mitigating its health impacts. EPA also wants to ensure that the guideline aligns with current interagency guidance on mitigating the impacts of wildfire smoke. Because of the urgent need to protect building occupants from infiltration of wildfire smoke, a subset of this committee developed interim guidance in the fall of 2020. EPA was an integral part of this group that identified technical information from a range of disciplines (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers, epidemiologists, public health officials, architects) and synthesized it into an easy to understand process for building managers. The interim guidance emphasizes the importance of a smoke readiness plan, and addresses issues such as upgrading air filters, use of portable air cleaners, and HVAC system management during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This interim guidance was approved by the full ASHRAE committee ahead of the 2021 wildfire season.