ASHRAE Journal - April 2021 - 4

COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY

180 Technology Parkway
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Phone: 404-636-8400
Fax: 404-321-5478 | www.ashrae.org
DIRECTOR OF ASHRAE PUBLICATIONS & EDUCATION
Mark S. Owen
EDITORIAL
Editor
Sarah Foster
sfoster@ashrae.org
Managing Editor
Mary Kate McGowan
mmcgowan@ashrae.org
Assistant Managing Editor
Jeri Alger
jalger@ashrae.org
Associate Editor
Rebecca Matyasovski
rmatyasovski@ashrae.org
Associate Editor
Tani Palefski
tpalefski@ashrae.org
Associate Editor
Chadd Jones
cjones@ashrae.org
PUBLISHING SERVICES
Publishing Services Manager
David Soltis
Production
Jayne Jackson
ADVERTISING
Associate Publisher,
ASHRAE Media Advertising
Greg Martin
gmartin@ashrae.org
Senior Coordinator-Advertising
Production and Operations
Vanessa Johnson
vjohnson@ashrae.org
Coordinator-Circulation Development
Austin Brafford
abrafford@ashrae.org
ASHRAE OFFICERS
President
Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E.
President-Elect
Michael Schwedler, P.E.
Treasurer
Farooq Mehboob, P.E.
Vice Presidents
Donald L. Brandt
K. William Dean, P.Eng.
William F. McQuade, P.E.
Tim McGinn, P.E.
Secretary & Executive Vice President
Jeff H. Littleton
POLICY GROUP
2020 - 21 Chair
Publications Committee
Hugh D. McMillan III, P.E.
Washington Ofﬁce
washdc@ashrae.org

Challenges Accepted
One year ago, to meet the challenges of the pandemic,
ASHRAE's Epidemic Task Force was formed; industry
conferences pivoted to virtual formats; and ASHRAE
Journal began receiving submissions of COVID-19
related articles.
As of this issue, ASHRAE Journal has published 30 articles, columns and news stories on this topic. ASHRAE Journal Newsletter
published seven original articles. There will be more articles to come.
In this issue, we have the second part of Jonathan Burkett's article on
virus transmission modes and mitigation strategies (page 10). This part
discusses airborne transmission and the effect of common air distribution methods on virus propagation including the challenges of using
displacement ventilation.
Part 1 (March) provides a foundational understanding of what makes
up a virus, how it can be released into the space through droplets and
aerosols and the effect of certain environmental conditions like temperature and humidity on the droplets.
This industry deals with many high-level challenges. When they arise
in existing building automation systems, what are the best practices for
resolving them? Three ASHRAE members give their insights in a column
on page 18. They provide accessible tips to diagnose problems ranging
from overloaded subnetworks to outdated sequences of operation.
Providing heating and ventilation in a building is challenge enough.
What happens when the structure is temporary and off-grid? The article on page 38 explores how to ditch the diesel generators and employ
a mobile modular energy unit with photovoltaic panels in these unique
applications.
When people talk about difﬁculties in falling asleep, they usually
don't consider indoor air quality. Fortunately, researchers do. In this
month's IEQ Applications column, the authors describe the relationship between bedroom air quality and sleep. They recommend using
CO2 as a marker of the outdoor air ventilation rate to the bedroom.
More research will be conducted to validate this recommendation as
part of an ASHRAE research project (page 56).
Improving the performance of an existing building can be hard.
However, a retroﬁt of a medical ofﬁce building in California achieved
big energy savings by implementing best-in-class control sequences
in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 36-2018, High-Performance
Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems (page 62).
This month's issue is full of challenges accepted. Enjoy the issue!
Sarah Foster, ASHRAE Journal Editor
Mission Statement: ASHRAE Journal reviews current HVAC&R technology of broad interest through publication of application-oriented articles. ASHRAE
Journal's editorial content ranges from back-to-basics features to reviews of emerging technologies, covering the entire spectrum of professional interest
from design and construction practices to commissioning and the service life of HVAC&R environmental systems.

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ASHRAE Journal - April 2021

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