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Auditoriums present unique air quality concerns because of their intermittent occupancy. When fully occupied, they may hold 150 people per 1,000 square feet of space. When unoccupied, HVAC operation is required to maintain temperature. ASHRAE 62-1989 recommends an outside air introduction of 15 CFM per person for these applications. The minimum filtration efficiency should be 30-35%6 dust spot as defined under ASHRAE Standard 52.1-1992. Economics and geographical concerns with respect to equipment cost of operation indicate filtration as a precursor to the introduction of outside air. Outside air may be reduced to 5 CFM per person through the application of 80- 85% ASHRAE particulate filtration in conjunction with carbon. Since the gaseous contaminant is primarily bio-effluent in composition, reduced application amounts of carbon may be applied to reduce the initial investment.
Since the primary challenge of the air filtration is during occupied periods, having unoccupied periods with little challenge except re-circulation to maintain temperature, the change-out period on the final filters and the carbon is extended. Outside air introduction can be kept to bare minimums during unoccupied periods, saving energy expenditures.
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