Skilled Trades

HVAC Industry Trends in 2015 & Affecting the Transmission of the Ebola Disease

Skilled TradesFebruary 21, 2015

The Ebola outbreak in Africa and reports of healthcare workers who contracted the disease, then brought it into America, were big stories last year. Beyond the headlines, Robert Baker, Managing Director of BBJ Consulting Service, says the reports forced many healthcare facilities to re-evaluate their infection control practices and support systems – including their HVAC systems. It just so happened that the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) already had begun implementing a multi-stage study to research what role HVAC systems might play in the transmission of disease. Results from the first phase of the project are due to be released later this year; however, early indicators of the findings will show that very little currently is known about the impact HVAC systems and air movement have on the spread of disease. If that’s the case, more research will definitely be in order. Debates and discussions about the role airflow systems might play in the spread of airborne diseases are just the latest indicators of how the HVAC environment is changing. Questions never previously asked now are demanding answers, answers the next generation of professionals must be prepared to provide.

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Today’s HVAC students aren’t just learning to be airflow mechanics who can fix systems that aren’t functioning properly. They’re also learning about industry theories and principles so they’re able to service today’s complex heating and refrigeration systems to keep them mechanically sound, efficient and safe. Students in Fortis College HVAC programs are being schooled in industry-standard technologies, both in classroom settings and laboratories, so they can be prepared to develop, operate and test a wide range of heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications they are likely to encounter on the job after graduation. Programs are offered at HVAC training schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. To learn more about the program nearest you, visit www.fortis.edu.

Tags: HVAC, Skilled Trades