Outside Air Systems – Exploring 100% Outside Air in Healthcare

By Adam Posorske, PE

As someone who frequently works with healthcare facilities nationwide, I’ve noticed a renewed interest in 100% outside air (OA) systems. This concept has been around for a long time but has been highlighted since the 2020 pandemic. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss this topic with three of our BSA mechanical engineers from different climate regions, and their insights revealed the complex relationship between patient safety and operational efficiency in healthcare ventilation.

The concept behind 100% outside air is straightforward: bring in fresh air from outside rather than recirculating indoor air. This approach initially gained momentum because outdoor air typically contains fewer pathogens and volatile organic compounds than indoor air, making it particularly appealing for critical care areas like operating rooms.

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Keywords: healthcare outside air systems, fresh air systems, outside air systems 100% outside air