COVID-19 Update: Preparing Smithsonian Buildings
Readying buildings as large and complex as Smithsonian’s for staff after months of limited occupancy is quite the undertaking. Doing this while increasing cleaning measures makes for an even larger challenge. This responsibility is falling on the Office of Facilities Management and Reliability (OFMR).
Not only is OFMR doing the routine maintenance needed to welcome staff and, eventually, visitors back into the doors, but they’re also investigating improvements and making adjustments to help limit the spread of COVID-19 within the facilities.
For example, OFMR has been following guidance from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to improve ventilation in Smithsonian facilities. Changes include increasing outdoor air intake where possible, reducing the amount of air that is recirculated, improving filtration, and replacing the air filters more frequently. OFMR is also considering increasing the strategic use of ultraviolet germicidal illumination technology in the buildings’ HVAC systems. All of this work will be done in a way that balances indoor air quality with the environmental controls that Smithsonian collections require.
Free, clean, and safe drinking water must be available for staff and visitors alike. Water fountains fill that need, but special steps need to be taken to provide water safely. First, OFMR flushed all domestic water systems, with special emphasis on drinking water fountains and water bottle filling stations, to eliminate stagnant water and replenish fresh drinking water. After thorough flushing, the water was tested to ensure it is safe to drink. Filter changes, where applicable, followed the flush/test process. Moving forward, water will be tested periodically until building occupancy and water consumption rates return to steady state.
OFMR is taking additional steps to ensure the safety of the fountains. Proper maintenance will provide a water stream adequate for the drinker to be able to consume water far from the nozzle. Signs explaining the proper way to use a fountain and the importance of hand sanitizing will be placed by each fountain. The cleaning of water fountain and bottle filling station surfaces will be performed more frequently. Hand sanitizer stations will also be placed nearby.
Additionally, OFMR’s Research and Assessment Group and Smithsonian’s Safety Working Group are currently looking into the differences between hand dryers and paper towels. While dryers may be more environmentally friendly and cost effective (no need to buy towels or have employees restock), some studies have shown they can aerosolize germs left on the hands after improper handwashing. Using paper towels avoids that particular risk. Additionally, paper towels can also be used to safely open doors without directly touching door handles. This information may be used for future restroom improvements.
These and other measures, combined with OFMR’s increased cleaning of high-touch areas, will help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Smithsonian facilities. Please support OFMR in this effort by only coming to the workplace when requested to do so, only coming to work when healthy, practicing proper handwashing hygiene, wearing face coverings, and maintaining a safe social distance. To learn more about the steps you should take to maintain a clean and hygienic workplace, please view this video on PRISM.
For more information on Smithsonian’s response to COVID-19 and to stay up to date on reopening plans, visit the COVID-19 Response Team website.
Stay safe and be well,
The COVID-19 Response Team
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Posted: 9 July 2020
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