City fast-tracks purchase of air change measuring machine to aid Anti-COVID measures
11 August 2021 β Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city is fast-tracking the purchase of air change measuring equipment to aid the city in determining areas at risk for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission due to poor air circulation.
He said that with the thermal anemometers, the city will be able to measure the air change flow in schools, offices, business establishments and industries having congestion to make sure that their air change readings are within the standards and not at risk for virus infections.
This will guide the city in improving its health and safety rules as well as the establishments in adopting engineering interventions to remedy the problem and ensure the health and safety of their employees.
The mayor said the City Health Services Office (CHSO) under Dr. Rowena Galpo is procuring two units of thermal anemometer to be managed by the Sanitation Division Chief Engr. Charles Bryan Carame.
Carame said the machines will determine sufficiency or insufficiency of air circulation in a place in terms of Air Change per Hour (ACH).
He said Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standard is 8 ACH but experts say 12 ACH is required for a COVID-free room.
The city had stressed the importance of having proper ventilation in preventing the spread of the virus.
This can be achieved by opening windows and doors, removing curtains and using electric fans.
Businesses lacking in ventilation were also encouraged to adopt remedial measures or do necessary structural changes if possible to ensure that they can have proper aeration system in their spaces. β Aileen P. Refuerzo
