Building Ventilation, Air Conditioning Systems and Cleaning Procedures
UTRGV is implementing the following ventilation enhancements to protect the UTRGV community:
Increase Outdoor Air
- The volume of outdoor air will be increased by opening outdoor air dampers to maximum allowable settings to reduce or eliminate HVAC air recirculation.
- When weather conditions allow, windows and doors will be open to increased outdoor airflow. Fans will be used to increase the effectiveness of open windows.
Increase Humidity levels without compromising IAQ
- Ventilation systems will be operated in a manner that increases the humidity levels while still providing acceptable indoor air quality for the current occupancy level for each space.
Increase Total Airflow
- HVAC systems will be rebalanced or adjusted to increase total airflow to occupied spaces when possible.
- Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) controls that reduce air supply based on occupancy or temperature during occupied hours will be bypassed to ensure maximum airflow.
Improve Air Filtration
- Air filtration will be increased to as high as possible without significantly reducing design airflow.
- The frequency of air filter inspections and changeouts will be increased to minimize airflow around the filter.
- Ensure restroom exhaust fans are functional and operating at full capacity when the building is occupied.
- Exhaust ventilation systems in areas such as kitchens, cooking areas, etc. will be operated at all times in order to increase airflow in the building.
- In areas that where there is a greater chance of having persons with COVID-19, portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) fan/filtration systems will be used to enhance air cleaning.
- Supply louvers, exhaust air grilles, and/or damper settings will be evaluated and repositioned to enhance clean-to-less-clean air movement.
- HVAC systems will be operated at maximum outside airflow for 2 hours before and after the building is occupied.
How often will classrooms, buildings, and offices be disinfected?
We are focused on cleaning all high-contact public spaces and surfaces, like entrance door handles, doorknobs, light switches, counters, faucets, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, toilet partition latches/handles, stair handrails, open seating areas, benches, and elevator controls.
Additionally, disinfectant wipes will be available for each academic space to clean your personal area.
In addition, services under Standard Cleaning Procedures will remain:
Daily Service: General cleaning will continue via standard procedures.
- Trash pickup - Common areas such as classrooms, lobbies, break rooms, conference rooms, hallways, breezeways, etc.
- Sweeping, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming of all common areas.
- Restrooms - cleaned and serviced.
- Clinical locations - cleaned and serviced.
- Inspect and service all wall-mounted sanitizers and portable wipes stands. Refill as needed.
- Provide on-call service for campus emergencies and/or department needs.
Weekly Service: - Private/personal spaces such as offices and cubicles
- Empty trash cans and remove material labeled as trash.
- Sweep and/or dust mop hard surfaces.
- Vacuum and spot clean carpeted floors.
- Dust all furniture, countertops, and shelves not obstructed by paperwork.
- General wipe downs/spot cleaning of all doors, frames, and entry glass.
Monthly / Quarterly
- Window cleaning
- Floor waxing and polishing
- Carpet extractions
Enhanced Cleaning Procedures
Enhanced cleaning procedures have been added to help disinfect high-touch surfaces more frequently.
- Daily - Additional focus will be spent on all high contact public spaces and surfaces such as entrance door handles, doorknobs, light switches, counters, faucets, paper towel, soap, and toilet paper dispensers, toilet partition latches/handles, stair handrails, open seating areas, benches, and elevator.
- Nightly - General cleaning of areas, such as clinics and/or high traffic contact areas in all campus buildings will occur during the evening.
If you have questions about the sanitation of classrooms as we make efforts to continue guarding our campus community against the pandemic, contact Facilities at one of the email addresses or phone numbers below.
Edinburg campus: ED-FBS@utrgv.edu; (956) 665-2748
Brownsville campus: BR-FBS@utrgv.edu; (956) 882-5900