I have a small question regarding ASHRAE standard 170-2008.
On page 5, Table 6-1 which specifies what type of filter to be used within a health care facility, according to the different uses of spaces, and it states that "Inpatient care, treatment, and diagnosis, and those spaces....." should have a MERV 7 filter on the first filter bank, and MERV 14 on the second filter bank.
My question is does it means "Inpatient care, treatment, and diagnosis" as one type of space, or "Inpatient care", "treatment", and "diagnosis" as three separate types?
The reason I want to ask this is because we are doing a LEED HC project at the moment, but there will be no inpatient, only outpatient in the facility, so depends on the interpretation of this table, it will have very different impact on our project.
Your help on this will be very much appreciated, cheers.
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
February 8, 2012 - 9:11 am
Not having the ASHRAE standard handy, I would think that the phrase is to be considered as one type of space covering things like patient rooms (inpatient care), procedure rooms (treatment), and Ultrasound (diagnosis). The odd thing to me is that the ASHRAE standard is lower than the FGI standard which is double filtered air (each filter being equivalent to MERV 15).
Looking at the HC reference guide, it says to follow the ASHRAE standard AND for mechanically ventilated areas to also follow the 2010 FGI Guidelines. LEED has a policy of following the more stringent guideline.
But you are doing an Outpatient facility which in the US is normally a Use Group B function. I suspect that in your case, the ASHRAE standard is more stringent that the FGI Guidelines. Consider the type of outpatient services that are being provided, the patient population and implement a solution that protects those needs. You may have an AHU that follows the MERV 7/14 in a outpatient surgical suite but another area may be a basic doctor's office that would have a different system.
james moler, p.e.
mgr systems engineeringturner healthcare
46 thumbs up
February 8, 2012 - 9:38 am
Table 6-1 permits a single filter bank of MERV 7 efficiency for "All other outpatient spaces." However, the FGI Guidelines - also referenced in the EQ pr1 requirements have additional filter requirements for certain special spaces within chapter 3 Ambulatory Care Facilities