Air Quality
A good balance of indoor humidity can help reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19.
Current rules (dated May 1, 2022)
- There are currently no specific corona measures in force with regard to ventilation.
- However, it is advised to follow the generally applicable advice: provide sufficient fresh air and at least meet the requirements of the Building Decree and existing advice and guidelines.
The general advice: provide plenty of fresh air. RIVM advises to at least comply with the requirements of the Building Decree and existing advice and guidelines. In addition, RIVM advises:
- Ventilate 24 hours a day.
- Use and maintain the ventilation system according to the manual.
- Check whether the ventilation capacity of the room is suitable for use.
- When in doubt, consult an expert as to whether adequate ventilation is provided.
- Air regularly (between meetings, during breaks).
What is important with air ventilation?
Good ventilation is important for a healthy indoor climate. Ventilation also helps limit the transmission of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19. However, ventilation can never completely prevent the (aerogenic) transmission of the coronavirus. For the full advice, see the website of the LCI and the information from RIVM.
Check the position of the ventilation system
It regularly happens that at event locations there is a ventilation system with sufficient capacity, but that capacity is not used because the ventilation system is in the wrong position or because there is a malfunction. To ensure that there is actually sufficient ventilation during an event, the following steps are recommended:
- Prior to an event, check whether the room has the correct ventilation facilities. For example, are there facilities for air supply and exhaust air and is there sufficient flushing?
- Before an event, check with measurements whether the ventilation capacity meets the requirements in practice.
- On the day of the event, check whether the ventilation system is in the correct position.
- During the event, check with CO2 measurements whether there is sufficient ventilation.
In case of increased risk, use the Events Ventilation Guideline
Although the ventilation requirements of the Building Decree apply to permanent event spaces, these requirements appear to provide insufficient protection against aerogenic transmission when visitors sing or dance at a time of high prevalence.
Furthermore, practice shows that existing ventilation facilities are not always optimally used during events. That is why a ventilation guideline has been developed specifically for the ventilation of events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the Events Ventilation Guideline here, drawn up by BBA Binnenmilieu based on the pilot events during Phase I & II of Fieldlab Events.
Points of attention
- Does the ventilation meet the requirements as laid down in the Building Decree?
- Has the installation been checked beforehand/periodically (report)?
- Is the installation in the correct position and who is responsible for this within the organization?
- In times of increased risk, is the increased guideline complied with and are CO2 measurements taken?