Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System Filtration

Bates has a portfolio of over 90 buildings on campus covering academic, athletic, residential, student life, and administrative facilities, with over 1.9 million square feet. Like many New England small colleges, there is a mix of larger and smaller, newer and older structures with a similar systems mix. In 14 buildings representing approximately 700,000 square feet we have increased the filter ratings to minimum efficiency rating value (“MERV”) level 13 or higher, deemed by ASHRAE to be efficient at capturing airborne viruses.  Outside air intake and overall air circulation through our installed systems has been optimized.

Looking across our core campus, over 70% of the Bates facilities, by square footage, are serviced by air handlers of one type or another. Over 50% of Bates’ square feet are in facilities that have filtration of MERV-13 or better. Our academic spaces in particular are almost entirely (over 90%) serviced by air systems, and nearly 70% of those square feet have MERV-13 rated filters. Over 75% of the space in athletics facilities are serviced by systems using MERV-13 filters. Our student housing is a set of over 30 buildings. Approximately a quarter of our students are in buildings with the MERV-13 filters, and approximately half of our students are in beds with air handlers and systems of some kind.  Student residence houses and buildings have operable windows for fresh air circulation.

Information Regarding Vendors and Contractors working on Campus

Vendors and contractors working on campus are required to adhere to either their own company policies regarding public health or Bates College policy, whichever is stricter.