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Proper Ventilation
Today's
building ventilation systems are complex. Occasionally, expectations
of the system go beyond the limits of its design capability. The system
may malfunction and need repair; lack of understanding of some of
the basic system functions lead to unintentional misuse of the system.
Any of these problems may result in an environment that does not meet
the comfort requirements of its occupants making the work place temperature
too warm or too cool. Because an individual's comfort is determined
by temperature, humidity and air movement, the following items can
be checked to help locate the problem:
- Check to see if vents are open.
- Make sure that supply or return
grilles, radiators, or baseboards are not blocked. If a supply
air vent is blowing directly on you and is affecting your comfort
move your work space or consult Physical Plant. Do not block the
vent.
- If temperatures are too high,
check adjacent rooms to see if an open window could be causing
a cool draft over the thermostat.
- Examine supply and return grilles
to determine if they are plugged with dirt and debris.
- Try to determine exactly when
the problem occurs and under what conditions.
- If the problem is not remedied
by one of the previous items, contact the Physical Plant and give
them all pertinent information.
The Massachusetts Department of Labor
and Industries guidelines give a minimum temperature range of 60-68o
F for public buildings and recommend a temperature range in offices
of 68-78o F.
The University of Massachusetts
has a policy (#525) on Extreme Temperatures in Work Locations which
states in part that, "The consistent practice of the Personnel Office
has been to delegate to the Department Head, or his/her designee,
the authority to release employees due to extreme temperatures...before
releasing employees, every effort should be made to temporarily
reassign employees to other work locations within the department
where temperatures and other working conditions are normal...Any
questions concerning this notice should be directed to the Personnel
Office (5-0380)".
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