ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 170-2021

Products Related to ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2021

HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics, 2nd Edition

ASHRAE Standard 62.1

ASHRAE Standard 52.2

ASHRAE Standard 55

ASHRAE Standard 154

ASHRAE Handbook—Applications

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What ASHRAE 170 means for healthcare ventilation

ASHRAE 170, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, defines minimum ventilation, filtration, pressurization, temperature, and humidity requirements for healthcare environments such as hospitals, clinics, operating rooms, isolation rooms, and diagnostic spaces.

1. Establishes consistent indoor air quality requirements to reduce infection risk.
2. Standardizes airflow, pressure relationships, and filtration.
3. Supports patient safety, staff safety, and regulatory compliance.

Video credit: ASHRAE on YouTube.

Core building blocks of ASHRAE 170

1. Ventilation rates: minimum outdoor air changes per hour (ACH) by room type.
2. Pressure relationships: positive or negative pressurization to control airflow direction.
3. Air distribution: defined supply, return, and exhaust placement.
4. Filtration: minimum MERV ratings for healthcare HVAC systems.
5. Temperature and humidity: controlled ranges for comfort and infection control.
6. Continuous operation: required in critical healthcare spaces.

Video credit: ASHRAE Learning Institute on YouTube.

High-value use cases of ASHRAE 170

1. Hospitals and acute-care facilities.
2. Outpatient clinics and procedure rooms.
3. Diagnostic and pathology laboratories.
4. Healthcare renovations and expansions.
5. Compliance documentation for inspections and audits.

Video credit: Trane Commercial HVAC on YouTube.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

1. Misclassifying healthcare spaces.
2. Incorrect pressure relationships between adjacent rooms.
3. Undersized or poorly installed filtration systems.
4. Inadequate commissioning and airflow verification.
5. Failing to reassess compliance during renovations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does ASHRAE 170 cover?
ASHRAE 170 defines ventilation, filtration, pressure, temperature, and humidity requirements for healthcare facilities.

2. Is ASHRAE 170 mandatory?
ASHRAE 170 becomes mandatory when adopted by building codes, healthcare regulations, or accreditation bodies.

3. How is ASHRAE 170 different from ASHRAE 62.1?
ASHRAE 170 is specific to healthcare environments, while ASHRAE 62.1 applies to general commercial buildings.

4. Why are pressure relationships important?
Correct pressure relationships prevent airborne contaminants from spreading between healthcare spaces.

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