As wildfires and prescribed burns increasingly impact communities worldwide, ASHRAE has published a new resource aimed at safeguarding indoor air quality during these events.
ASHRAE Guideline 44-2024, Protecting Building Occupants From Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events, outlines best practices for building design, operation and maintenance to reduce the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to wildfire and prescribed burn smoke. To purchase, visit ashrae.org/bookstore.
Key features include:
- Applicability: Designed for commercial buildings, institutional facilities (including healthcare), multiunit residential buildings and designated safe spaces for temporary occupancy during smoke events
- Focus on vulnerable populations: Tailored recommendations for spaces occupied by at-risk groups, such as children and the elderly
- Comprehensive guidance on best practices: Considerations during design phase for new and retrofits, as well as the installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of building envelopes, ventilation systems and air-cleaning technologies to mitigate smoke infiltration and improve IAQ.
