| CPC F24F 11/52 (2018.01) [A61L 9/20 (2013.01); B01D 46/0028 (2013.01); B01D 46/0049 (2013.01); B01D 46/442 (2013.01); B01D 46/448 (2013.01); B01D 46/46 (2013.01); F24F 3/16 (2013.01); F24F 8/108 (2021.01); F24F 8/22 (2021.01); A61L 2209/111 (2013.01); A61L 2209/14 (2013.01); A61L 2209/16 (2013.01); B01D 2273/30 (2013.01); B01D 2279/50 (2013.01); B01D 2279/65 (2013.01); F24F 2110/10 (2018.01); F24F 2110/20 (2018.01); F24F 2110/64 (2018.01)] | 3 Claims |
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1. A method for controlling air quality in an enclosed area of a plurality of enclosed areas within a building using an HVAC system to mitigate the risk of exposure to airborne contaminants, the method comprising:
mounting a plurality of sensors within each enclosed area of the plurality of enclosed areas, wherein the plurality of sensors within each enclosed area comprises:
a particulate matter sensor configured to measure a relative particulate count in the air within the enclosed area;
a humidity sensor configured to measure a relative humidity within the enclosed area;
a temperature sensor configured to measure a relative temperature within the enclosed area;
wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to continuously measure a parameter value for each of a plurality of operational parameters of the enclosed area;
disposing a first air filter within an air moving unit;
disposing a second air filter in a return duct that is in fluid communication with the enclosed area;
disposing an ultraviolet light within the air moving unit;
assigning a relative weight for each operational parameter of the plurality of operational parameters that are continuously measured in each enclosed area;
calculating an overall net condition of each enclosed area of the plurality of enclosed areas based on the relative weight;
determining, based on the overall net condition, if an operational parameter of the plurality of operational parameters fails to satisfy a predetermined threshold;
wherein the plurality of operational parameters is the relative particulate count, the relative humidity, and the relative temperature;
wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a maximum particulate count threshold, a maximum temperature threshold, a minimum temperature threshold, a maximum humidity threshold, a minimum humidity threshold, and a maximum overall net condition;
if an operational parameter fails to satisfy the predetermined threshold, then determining that the enclosed area is undergoing a triggering event and then:
continuously introducing supply air within the enclosed area using the air moving unit for a specified amount of time after the triggering event;
diluting the supply air within the enclosed area by continuously introducing an increased amount of outside air over a normal amount of outside air into the enclosed area;
flushing the air within the enclosed area by continuously introducing a second amount of supply air within the enclosed area using the air moving unit for a second specified time prior to and after the triggering event;
cycling the supply air within the enclosed area to provide an increased amount of air changes over a normal amount of air changes every hour during the triggering event;
balancing an air pressure of the enclosed area, wherein balancing the air pressure within the enclosed area comprises configuring the enclosed area to be negatively pressurized, such that, upon opening a door to the enclosed area, air flows inward and contaminants within the enclosed area are prevented from exiting; and
displaying an indication of the overall net condition of the enclosed area, wherein the indication specifies whether the overall net condition is in a safe state or an unsafe state.
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