CSA Z317.2:24

Preface This is the sixth edition of CSA Z317.2, Special requirements for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in health care facilities , one of a series of Standards on the design, construction, and maintenance of health care facilities and systems. It supersedes the previous editions, published in 2019, 2015, 2010, 2001, and 1991. This Standard is intended for use by architects, engineers, planners, consultants, and health care facility staff to ensure the efficient planning, design, construction, and maintenance of HVAC systems. In addition to design and construction requirements, this Standard includes commissioning, operational, maintenance, and monitoring requirements for HVAC systems that will reduce the risk of transmission of infection among building occupants, including patients, staff, and visitors. Significant changes in this edition include the following: a) clarification of HVAC requirements for rooms and areas used for similar or different functions, including more stringent requirements for areas in a facility used for more than one function; b) additional guidance on HCFs providing services when outdoor conditions are extreme and when indoor conditions are outside of the HVAC design ranges; c) new guidelines on portable air handling units; d) updated guidance on adiabatic humidification systems; e) revisions for HVAC system upgrades associated with renovations or additions; f) guidance on catastrophic HVAC equipment failure in alignment with the requirements of business continuity in CSA Z8000; g) addition of Table 7 to show the breakdown of requirements in Clause 6, as per HCF classification; h) expansion of molecular filtration requirements, as per Table 6; i) updated requirements in Table 1; and j) updated examples of health care facilities according to class in Annex B. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, as administered by the Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC). CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was also made possible, in part, by the financial support of Standards Council of Canada (SCC). This Standard was prepared by the Subcommittee on Special Requirements for HVAC Systems in Health Care Facilities, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Health Care Facilities and the Strategic Steering Committee on Health and Well-being, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Scope 1.1 General This Standard provides requirements for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of HVAC systems in HCFs. In general, these requirements are more stringent than those applied to non-health care facilities. Note: See Annex A for general guidelines on HVAC system design. Table 1 provides specific design parameters for HVAC systems. 1.2 Description This Standard a) specifies minimum values for certain parameters; b) establishes the suitability of different design options; c) establishes recommendations for zoning, controls, and monitoring; and d) outlines best practice for energy conservation, decarbonization, and adaptation to climate change. 1.3 Inclusions This Standard is not intended to preclude the use of design concepts and the adoption of installation, operations, and maintenance procedures more stringent than those specified in this Standard. In cases where clinical evidence supports additional measures to improve the safety and efficacy of HCFs, such additional measures should be considered in the design, installation commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the HVAC system. 1.4 Applicability This Standard applies to new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and alterations to existing buildings (alterations include changes in function or size of spaces and the rearrangement, replacement, or addition of HVAC equipment). Note: "Like for like" replacement of worn or failed components is generally considered to be routine maintenance; however, a more in-depth analysis should take place when replacing major components. See Clause 5.8.4. 1.5 Exclusions This Standard does not address requirements for other elements of a building that are not directly a part of the HVAC system but can affect the design, performance, or operation of these systems, including but not limited to a) building envelope; b) structure; c) electrical power and lighting systems; d) plumbing system; and e) fire protection system. 1.6 Terminology In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 1.7 Dual measurements The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.