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ASHRAE 44 Compliance Services for Healthcare Facilities
Protecting Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Smoke and Prescribed Burn Events
As wildfires and smoke events grow in frequency and intensity, healthcare facilities that remain operational during emergencies must proactively address indoor air quality threats to safeguard patients, staff, and operations. The new ASHRAE Standard 44 – Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events provides critical guidance for preparing buildings to resist smoke infiltration.
At VERTEX, we help healthcare organizations navigate ASHRAE 44 through comprehensive assessments, planning, performance testing, and training. Our experienced team of engineers, industrial hygienists, and indoor air quality experts ensure your facility is ready to maintain safe, healthy environments even under extreme outdoor conditions.
Our ASHRAE 44 Service Offerings
1. Wildfire Smoke Risk Assessment
We begin by identifying vulnerability points within your facility. Our assessments focus on:
Smoke infiltration pathways
Envelope integrity and air tightness
Space pressurization effectiveness
Air handling system vulnerabilities
Our team performs building penetration inspections, pressure differential measurements, and tracer technology studies to pinpoint high-risk areas.
2. Smoke Readiness Plan Development
We help you create a site-specific Smoke Readiness Plan aligned with ASHRAE 44 requirements. This includes:
Emergency smoke event response protocols
Operations and maintenance procedures
Occupant communication strategies
System readiness checks
3. HVAC Filtration & Ventilation Evaluation
Our experts evaluate existing HVAC systems to determine:
Outdoor air management strategies We recommend system upgrades, filtration enhancements, and zoning approaches to optimize resilience during smoke events.
4. PM2.5 Testing and Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
Using high-resolution monitoring, real-time sensors, and particle counters, we measure particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations before, during, and after smoke events. We verify system performance under dynamic conditions, enabling data-driven decision-making.
5. Performance Testing Using Surrogates
To validate building system response under real-world scenarios, we conduct performance testing with safe surrogate aerosols. This allows us to simulate smoke infiltration and measure air handling effectiveness without compromising patient safety.
6. Supplemental Air Cleaner Selection, Testing & Maintenance
We identify, test, and deploy portable or supplemental air cleaning units (e.g., HEPA, carbon filtration) to support indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events. We offer:
Sizing and deployment strategy
In-situ testing and clean air delivery rate (CADR) validation
Maintenance guidance and filter lifecycle tracking
7. Staff Training & Response Readiness
We equip your facility team with hands-on training and documentation to ensure they’re prepared for wildfire smoke scenarios. Training includes:
HVAC system operational changes during smoke events
Recognizing pressure loss and filtration failure
Protective protocols for sensitive patient areas
Why VERTEX?
Healthcare-Focused Experts – Deep experience in hospitals, outpatient centers, and critical care environments
ASHRAE Standards Specialists – Mastery of ASHRAE 44, 62.1, 241, and related indoor air quality and infection control standards
Validated Performance Testing – Real-world simulations using surrogate aerosols and IAQ instrumentation
Integrated AEC Services – Engineering, Fire Protection, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental, and Architectural support under one roof
Don’t Let Smoke Compromise Your Care
Wildfire smoke is no longer a seasonal anomaly—it’s a persistent threat. VERTEX helps you stay ahead of the risk with proactive strategies rooted in ASHRAE 44.
