Page 18 - Climate Control News May 2022

Building ventilation
key to public safety
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED A $60 MILLION SMALL BUSINESS VENTILATION PROGRAM JOINING A
GLOBAL PUSH TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE FUNDING WILL help eligible public-facing small businesses to im- prove building ventilation in areas ac- cessible to customers and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Minister for Small Business,Jaala Pulford, said improving ventilation will not only help reduce the spread of COVID-19, but it will also give cus- tomers confidence when walking through the doors of their local shops, cafes and bars.
“COVID-19 is still very much with us, so we are working with small businesses to help make premises safer,” Pulford said.
Under the program, two types of support will be available:
There is a $500 ventilation rebate for public- facing small businesses to undertake immediate
actions such as purchasing equipment or hiring a qualified tradesperson to undertake minor ser- vices to improve ventilation in areas accessible to customers.
Ventilation grants are also available. Matched grants of $1000 to $5000 can be used to enable public-facing small businesses who employ staff to invest in larger projects such as building works, engaging professional services or equip- ment to improve ventilation in areas accessible to customers.
A business can apply for both a Ventilation Re- bate and a Ventilation Grant. The submitted ap- plications can request funds for the same venti- lation project, however the funds must not be allocated to the same eligible expenditure item.
Good ventilation is important because COV- ID-19 is airborne and primarily spread between people breathing in very small droplets or aero- sols containing the virus. The risk of aerosol transmission is higher in a poorly ventilated space because fine aerosol spray from an infect- ed person can remain circulating, linger and spread more easily.
At the same time the Victorian government has released a Small Business Ventilation Guide. It covers natural ventilation as well as mechani- cal ventilation.
“Business owners must use their judgement and make decisions that are appropriate for their business to improve ventilation and air quality,” the guide states. “This may involve seeking profes- sional advice before committing to a purchase.”
The Small Business Ventilation Program is part of a $200 million stimulus injection to help businesses recover from the pandemic.
For more information on improving ventila- tion in the workplace, visit coronavirus.vic.gov/ ventilation.
TOP:: Ventilation has joined the debate about public health and safety.
ABOVE: US EPA administrator, Michael S Regan.
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