Breathe Easy During A Pandemic: Preventing Virus Transmission

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One year ago, few people were concerned with air filtration, HVAC systems or the fact that so many entryways require pulling a handle, turning a doorknob or pressing buttons. These details escaped our collective attention until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, these details are of the utmost importance, especially when it comes to where we and our loved ones live.

The Seneca, a brand-new assisted living and memory care community opening in July at 55 West Gude Drive in Rockville, was designed and built to reduce and prevent the transmission of viruses.

The building boasts an enhanced HVAC system, with systems consisting of Dedicated Outdoor Air Units (DOAUs) that supply fresh, outdoor air into apartment homes and community amenity spaces via dedicated ductwork that is heated and cooled by Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) or Direct Expansion (DX) within the dedicated HVAC zone. This enables the creation of smaller HVAC “zones” which limit cross contamination of re-circulated air and the assurance that fresh, outdoor air is always provided in all spaces.

The HVAC systems installed also featured enhanced air filtration. Upgraded air filters are installed within the HVAC system to a minimum of MERV-13, which has a higher than 90% efficiency on particles that are 3 to 10 micrometers in size, at least 85% efficiency on particles 1 to 3 microns in size, and up to 75% efficiency on particles 0.3 to 1 micron in size (bacteria, mold spores, smoke, and droplet nuclei - moisture, sneeze, cough).

Systems also feature Cold Plasma Bipolar Ionization, which adds a controlled amount of both positive and negative air ions to the supply air, which causes a particle to attract to other particles and become larger and heavier in a process called “agglomeration.” These larger particles are more easily captured by a central filtration system.

In addition, bi-polar air ions can surround surface proteins that form on organisms and trigger infections and destroy a virus surface structure so that it is rendered inert even if it enters the body. Bi-polar ionization works well when combined with enhanced filtration.

The Seneca will maintain a relative humidity (RH) between 40% - 60% to help limit the spread and survival of coronavirus. Water droplets within the air can “catch” the virus causing it to fall to the ground more quickly.

To address the issues of droplet contamination on shared surfaces, The Seneca features touchless technology at frequent touchpoints, including but not limited to touchless faucets in common area restrooms and automatic door operators for common area doors.

The Seneca offers private residences that allow for residents to “shelter-in-place” which allows proper social distancing, and self-isolation, when necessary.

The community has ample and safe access to outdoor space where proper social distancing guidelines can be followed. Thoughtful site planning and building design allows for controlled ingress and egress for residents, visitors and associates for check-in and screening.

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