With the current air quality advisory due to wildfires in BC and Washington, UFV is being especially mindful of building heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Most UFV buildings utilize MERV 13 air filters, removing up to 95% of airborne particles. UFV Safety and Security can also provide an N95 mask if requested – which offers some limited increased filtration for particulate matter.
Weather models indicate that air quality is anticipated to improve this weekend.
Until then, please:
- Close windows to minimize the passage of particulate matter into buildings
- Minimize time spent outdoors
- Continue to manage medical conditions like asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, and heart conditions. If symptoms continue seek medical attention or call 9-1-1 if in an emergency
- Stay cool and keep hydrated.
Environment Canada is recommending people with chronic underlying medical conditions postpone or reduce outdoor physical activity or strenuous exercise and follow the advice of their healthcare providers. To address specific health concerns related to poor air quality, please contact your instructor or supervisor.
Keep in mind that air quality will continue to be significantly better inside UFV buildings, where systems are programmed to start 2 hours ahead of people coming into the building and flush the space with 100% filtered air.
Besides the flush of filtered air in the morning all our systems are currently set to ensure at least 30% of filtered air is brought into the buildings consistently which meets the cubic feet per minute (CFM) per person requirements made by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Some of UFV’s buildings have CO2 sensors in the return air ducts, although not a requirement it is a best practice. These sensors will tell the system that further air exchanges are needed if high CO2 readings are found in the return air and will increase the air exchanges in the building. We have these CO2 sensors in our more modern buildings, for example, the student union building and the Gym at Abbotsford and A-building in Chilliwack. These sensors are set to trigger this increased air exchange at 800 Parts Per Million (PPM) of CO2.
If we receive air quality concerns inside UFV buildings, we will investigate based on the information provided. Once we know the cause, we will take actions to mitigate the issues to the best of our abilities.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding air quality, please email SafetySecurity@ufv.ca.