Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) If the TWH
facility or building has a mechanical ventilation system, the operator shall
maintain it according to the manufacturer's specifications and operate the
system to provide fresh and filtered air. The operator shall have building
maintenance staff or mechanical ventilation system contractors set the system
to increase ventilation or the percentage of outside air that circulates in the
facility or building and verify the following:
(a) The mechanical ventilation system is
fully functional.
(b) The
mechanical ventilation system filters have a minimum efficiency reporting value
(MERV) rating of at least 13 or equivalent. If the mechanical ventilation
system does not support MERV 13 filters, use the highest MERV rating filter
supported by the mechanical ventilation system.
(c) The mechanical ventilation system's
outdoor air intake is maximized. Reductions in outside air intake may be made
when external conditions pose health and safety risks to the
occupants.
(d) Maintenance checks
occur at the beginning of each growing season when preparing buildings to be
reopened. Additional maintenance checks must occur based on manufacturer
recommendations, usually quarterly or annually.
(e) Ensure written maintenance records are
maintained. The written record must include documentation of filter selection,
including a selection reason if less than MERV 13 filtration is used, and
filter conditions. Written records must be available for review upon request by
the state agency representatives.
(f) Filters in any mechanical ventilation
system used in a TWH facility or building must be in good repair and replaced
in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
(2) The operator shall instruct occupants in
housing with mechanical ventilation systems to:
(a) Turn on mechanical ventilation systems
whenever the TWH facility or building is occupied; and
(b) Temporarily shut down the mechanical
ventilation system when external conditions pose health and safety risks to
occupants.
(3) In
buildings without mechanical ventilation systems, the operator shall instruct
occupants to close windows and other outside openings when external conditions
pose health and safety risks to occupants.
