Air-movement control for treatment and isolation rooms

Baird, G. and Whyte, W. (1969) Air-movement control for treatment and isolation rooms. Journal of Hygiene, 67(2), pp. 225-232. (doi: 10.1017/S0022172400041620) (PMID:5255884) (PMCID:PMC2130721)

Abstract

The degree of protection provided by various air movement control systems, as applied to isolation and treatment rooms, has been assessed. The main factors influencing the efficiency of isolation were the air supply rate to the room and the time the door was left open. The effect of some other possible factors, such as temperature differences and method of air distribution, are discussed. The type of facilities provided must depend on the type of patient and economics, but prediction equations, which allow the assessment of positive, negative and balanced ventilation systems, are presented. The ventilation requirements for isolation rooms should be assessed individually, but for a treatment room a balanced system of ventilation with between 500 and 1000 ft.3/min. should be very effective. Precautions should be taken to ensure the air quantities are balanced and temperature differences are minimized. An air lock should not be necessary for balanced systems provided these rooms are in a mechanically ventilated ward.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Full text is available via the link/s.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Whyte, Dr William
• Authors: Baird, G., and Whyte, W.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering
• Journal Name: Journal of Hygiene
• ISSN: 0022-1724