A standard that will address such airplane air quality issues as temperature, humidity and ventilation rates is one step closer to being published. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE’s) proposed new Standard 161P, Air Quality Within Commercial Aircraft, is open for its second public review until November 6, 2006.

Revisions address issues such as general requirements for pressure, temperature and humidity, as well as the ventilation rate requirements for various areas within the cabin and supply air for the aircraft while it is on the ground. One significant change provides more flexibility in meeting the filtration requirements for recirculated air.

The proposed standard would apply to commercial passenger air-carrier aircraft carrying 20 or more passengers. It is intended to apply to all phases of flight operations and to ground operations whenever the aircraft is occupied by passengers or crew members.

In another proposed standard, requirements regarding the amount of water used to operate HVAC, plumbing and irrigation systems would be established.

The proposed standard, Conservation of Water Use in Building, Site and Mechanical Systems, would provide baseline requirements for the design of buildings, landscapes, and mechanical systems that minimize the volume of water required to operate HVAC systems, plumbing systems, and irrigation systems.

The proposed title, purpose and scope of the standard are open for public comment until Nov. 20. Also, members are being sought to serve on a committee to write the standard.