Ventilation Helps Restaurants Reopen

Jul 7

Jul 7 Ventilation Helps Restaurants Reopen

Monitoring the effects of ventilation improvements in restaurants can now be easily and inexpensively implemented using internet of things (IoT) devices. The Internet of things is any system of monitoring and digital devices capable of collecting and transmitting data to the internet. Presently, devices marketed by major brand-name manufacturers (e.g., Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Trane, etc.) can track airflow rates, carbon monoxide levels, disinfectant conditions and even photograph client spacing and compliant use of masks. Such devices not only measure such conditions but can transmit monitoring data in real-time for storage into a cloud-based database. Analysis of such data can be used to assure that safe conditions are being met in restaurants, and to guide governments and trade associations alike in the evolution of their policies and recommendations regarding the reopening process. (1,2)

Thanks to Dr. Nicholas Peneff of Public Health & Safety, Inc. for providing the article above.

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Considerations for Restaurants and Bars Updated June 27, 2020

2. OSHA Guidance on Returning to Work (OSHA 4045-06 2020)

Thomas Laue

Tom Laue reported, wrote and edited stories for United Press International and the Associated Press in Illinois and Kentucky. He was also the chief communications officer for Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Housing Development Authority. He taught journalism at Columbia College Chicago and holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. For 14 years, he edited a five-state publication for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare customers serving 650,000 people. Everybody says Laue hosts the greatest poker games ever.