Proposed ASHRAE Cabin Air Quality Standard (161P)

This preliminary material with regard to draft standard for Air Quality on Commercial Aircraft is presented here in hopes that it will aid in defining research needs for the future.

Aircraft are different from buildings. Commercial aircraft fly through an environment that is hostile to human life. Thus, safety features are of greatest importance. In a real-world setting, there will be trade-offs in comfort, safety and health.

The purpose of this standard is to define requirements for air quality in air carrier aircraft and specify methods for measurement and testing in order to establish compliance with the standard.

The scope of the standard covers: • Commercial aircraft carrying 19 or more passengers • Considers chemical, physical and biological contaminants as well as, but not limited to moisture, temperature and pressure • Will not ensure acceptable aircraft cabin air quality for everyone.

The committee has developed a draft standard and an informative appendix. Information on ventilation rates, contaminant standards, relative humidity, temperature, pressure and filtration will be presented.