Higher Education: Design Guidelines for Infection Control

HIGHER EDUCATION: DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR INFECTION CONTROL. HE N D E R S ON IN SIG HTS | COVID-19 SERI ES

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, campuses across the country have closed their classrooms, dining areas, libraries, residence halls, recreation facilities, and student life spaces, all in an effort to mitigate the potential spread of infection. To help ensure colleges and universities are safe to reopen their campuses this fall, our team of education design experts have put together a set of guidelines for infection control. From social distancing to technology integration, these design guidelines outline important strategies that can help create safer environments for returning students and faculty.

A IR BO R N E

SURFACES

BIOAEROSOL TRANSMISSION

SURFACE CONTACT TRANSMISSION

▪ Increasing outside air when outside air conditions allow

▪ Touchless fixtures at restrooms

- Monitor indoor humidity and temperature during increased ventilation

▪ Upper room UV lighting in restrooms ▪ In experiential learning environments limit sharing of hard to clean equipment or objects

▪ Improve filtration - Set a higher minimum (MERV 13 Filters) ▪ Operate systems delivering outdoor air earlier in the day to improve indoor air quality ▪ Consider design strategies for new construction that improve fresh air delivery to breathing zone ▪ Consider design strategies that increase outdoor air ventilation ▪ Inspect outdoor air dampers to ensure fresh air delivery to spaces

CON TI N U ED

> H I GHER EDUCATION: DES IGN GU ID E L IN E S FOR IN FE CTION CON TR OL

SOC I A L D I STAN C IN G DROPLET TRANSMISSION ▪ Provide hybrid learning to facilitate staying home when sick or at higher risk of illness

▪ Improve broadcast capabilities for hybrid or remote classes

▪ Separate groups by minimum of six feet in experiential learning environments. Consider cloth face coverings.

▪ Support inclusive student success with safe access to online classes

▪ Symptom screening at building entry ▪ Use of larger classrooms with smaller quantity of students

CARL HOLDEN HIGHER EDUCATION PRACTICE DIRECTOR carl.holden@hendersonengineers.com

There are many considerations when making changes to your existing building. When it’s time to talk logistics, our Henderson Building Solutions group can help get these updates done fast and efficiently through product sourcing and installation. Speed to market and making changes in a seamless manner both matter as people come back to your spaces. Let us know how our team at Henderson can help.