Building Air Quality due to Wildfire Smoke

Smoke from wildfires in Canada are impacting local air quality.

Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) is doing what they can to minimize the smoke entering the building. This means they are closing outside air dampers on HVAC systems where possible for office, classroom, and general-purpose spaces. Where possible, IPF has put HVAC systems on full recirculation operation.

All HVAC systems have filters that vary from MERV 8 to MERV 14 depending on system design. IPF cannot increase the rating due to the design of the system and impact on safe fan operations. Laboratory spaces and other systems that must bring in higher outside air volumes due to specific building needs cannot be altered.  

As a reminder there are approximately 586 structures with 25.5 million square feet of space on campus. There approximately 12 staff members in IPF that are responsible for the on-site repair and maintenance of the HVAC for all of that space. 

Q) Is it safe to work in my building?  

IPF has done everything we can to minimize the risk and smoke infiltration.  Our buildings are still open and available for use. 

Q) What filters are in my building?  

At this time we cannot get your building specific information, but all our HVAC systems range from MERV8 to MERV14, as good or usually better than household systems.

Q) Can IPF install better filters, or deploy an air cleaner? 

We can only use the filters that the system is designed to use.  IPF does not have air cleaners we can deploy.  You are allowed to put one of your own in your space though.

Q) Can IPF measure my indoor air quality.  

IPF does not have the resources to do this. Contact Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for more resources.