|  | Administration and Finance
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
P 617.287.5100
| | |
|
To the Campus Community,
As we begin this academic year, we do so with a continued commitment to the health and safety of our campus community. As part of this effort, we would like to update the campus community about air flow in campus buildings.
The campus has taken a multi-layered approach to fighting COVID-19, including vaccination requirements, COVID-testing, and upgrading our HVAC system to operate with MERV-13 filtration. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can help to reduce the airborne concentration of the coronavirus if it is present in the air, and MERV-13 filtration is among the most efficient to filter out small airborne particles.
Previously we have reported that the university had engaged an environmental consultant, Environmental Health and Engineering (EHE), to conduct a thorough study and engineering evaluation of the campus’s HVAC systems to ensure they are in good working order. Outside air ventilation provided to occupied spaces was reviewed to optimize outdoor air intake in accordance with OSHA recommendations. Additionally, EHE has been working with the campus during the pandemic to help ensure we are incorporating the latest guidance into our operations.
During academic year 2021-2022, many spaces in Wheatley and McCormack halls were reviewed to determine if industry standard effective air-exchanges per hour (eACH) were met. The focus was on classrooms and shared office space. The eACH for classrooms is four; office spaces vary depending on size. The initial testing indicated that six out of seven classrooms in McCormack that were tested met the recommended target, while results in Wheatley were mixed, with some spaces not meeting the target.
In April 2022, UMass Boston developed initial short, medium, and long-term plans to evaluate and address these identified ventilation and filtration issues, including air testing in Wheatley, McCormack, and Healey. Additional testing was conducted in May and June 2022, where 74 additional spaces in these buildings were assessed. Sixty percent met the eACH target, with non-classroom spaces meeting the target more often (76%) than classrooms (42%).
Additional short-term steps that have been taken are to provide supplemental HEPA air filtration units to spaces where testing reported low airflow. Fifteen units were deployed to selected classrooms in the spring 2022 semester and an additional 30 units have been deployed for the start of the fall 2022 semester. Broken controls wiring and sensors have been fixed as they have been encountered and selective rebalancing of troubled areas as they occur has also been completed.
The university has begun a retro commissioning study of Wheatley and McCormack as a mid-term solution to study the buildings with the goal to produce better functioning systems. The study is an iterative process and will help Facilities develop a targeted strategy to improve the functioning of the HVAC system. Initial findings are being looked at for possible fixes, including controls, localized air balancing, and adjustments to system air handling units (AHUs).
As part of the FY23-27 capital budget, long-term solutions have begun to be funded. The replacement or rebuilding of air handling units in Healey and Wheatley are included. The air handling units in Healey will be installed in the second part of the current fiscal year, and the planning and design for four of Wheatley’s AHU’s will be completed.
A proposal was submitted to the state’s Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) in 2021 as part of the state capital budgeting process to renovate the first and second floors in Wheatley. The scope would be to right size the classrooms, upgrade the HVAC, lighting and electrical systems, build more modern collaboration and teaming spaces outside of the classrooms, and rebuild the lobby vestibule. Unfortunately, UMB’s project was not selected this year for DCAMM funding, but the campus received favorable feedback and will strengthen the proposal and resubmit as part of next year’s budget process.
We will continue our efforts to ensure that the air quality in our campus buildings, and out of doors on campus, are the best and safest they can be as we return to campus this fall. We will update the campus community about these matters over the next several months, including at the next Capital Projects Lunch and Learn on October 6.
For any air flow concerns, please contact Facilities at facilities@umb.edu or at 617-287-5450. We continue to work to ensure that the air in our campus buildings and out of doors on campus are the best and safest they can be as we return to campus.
Kathleen Kirleis
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
| |
|
|
|
|
