Upcoming Changes to ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170

Jeremy Fauber, HEAPY’s Engineering and Digital Strategy Manager, recently wrote about upcoming changes to the ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE* Standard 170, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, which was published in the Nov/Dec edition of Healthcare Facilities Magazine.

Standard 170 has a 15-year history of impacting healthcare facilities across the country and is now a frequently referenced standard document for healthcare facilities managers and designers. Jeremy has committed to a four-year term as a voting member for the ASHRAE Standing Standard Project Committee 170.

“As we navigate the evolving landscape of health care, the updates to ASHRAE Standard 170 are more than just technical revisions; they represent a significant stride towards enhancing patient safety and facility efficiency. By integrating the latest research and feedback from diverse stakeholders, we’re ensuring that our health care facilities are not only compliant with current standards but are also prepared to meet future challenges.”

Jeremy Fauber PE, CGD, LEED AP BD+C Engineering and Digital Strategy Manager, Principal jpfauber@heapy.com

Highlights of the article include:

• Insight into the process to update Standard 170 and how it impacts the health care industry.
• Summary of recently published addenda to the 2021 edition of Standard 170, including guidelines for Outpatient Facilities (Sec 8) and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic when it comes to airborne infection isolation (AII) room exhaust.
• Analysis of changes and updates to expect in the upcoming 2025 edition of Standard 170, including improved clarity on room recirculation units.

Read Jeremy’s article in the recent edition of Healthcare Facilities Management magazine and learn how a Southern Ohio Medical Center outpatient facility used Standard 170 to improve the quality of care and infrastructure operations and resiliency.

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*Abbreviations

ANSI – American National Standards Institute
ASRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
ASHE – American Society for Health Care Engineering