Updates to the ventilation plan

McMaster’s Utilities team is working closely with Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) to ensure that the university ventilation systems are functioning as designed and that any additional ventilation guidelines from Public Health are implemented.

The government of Ontario has recommended that elementary and secondary learning environments adopt the approach of installing standalone high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter units in buildings without a mechanical ventilation system.

McMaster is updating its ventilation plan for the fall to include this approach.

This is in addition to: assessing and making any required updates to the ventilation systems in buildings on campus; maximizing fresh air and keeping air recirculation to a minimum in all buildings with mechanical ventilation systems; and installing high standard air filters (called MERV-13 air filters) in all buildings where air is recirculated before in-person learning begins.

Here is a full list of buildings on campus noting their ventilation type.

Of the five non-mechanically ventilated buildings on campus, University Hall is the only building containing classrooms utilized by the Registrar’s Office. These spaces will be fitted with HEPA filter units in order to prepare for the winter term and will not be used for teaching for the fall term.

For administrative and academic office spaces in the five buildings without mechanical ventilation, supervisors must contact Facility Services by emailing FSUtilitiesClerk@mcmaster.ca to inform them about plans to occupy these offices or meeting spaces. Utilities Services will then install standalone HEPA filter units. Please allow up to 10 days for installation to occur.

Click here for more information on McMaster’s ventilation plans for the Fall.

Click here for our FAQ on ventilation.