A recently published addendum to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62-2001, "Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality," contains a non-mandatory appendix that describes a method for ventilating spaces where smoking takes place. Its purpose is to achieve comfort and not to address health effects.

"The harmful nature of secondhand smoke is not questioned by mainstream scientists," stated Lawrence Schoen, P.E., Schoen Engineering Inc., Columbia, Md. "And the actions of ASHRAE acknowledge that acceptable indoor air cannot be achieved in the presence of secondhand smoke. Does the appendix accomplish even its limited stated goal of comfort? To what health and liability risks does publication of such material expose ASHRAE and its users, such as designers, installers, operators, and occupants?"

Standard 62's Comfort-Only Approach to Smoking Spaces seminar will be held from 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27. It is sponsored by ASHRAE's technical committee on ventilation requirements and infiltration.

Speakers will discuss limitations of this method in providing comfort and the magnitude of health risks that can be anticipated in spaces designed according to it, said Schoen, who will chair the session. They also will address ASHRAE's rationale for providing the guidance.

Schoen noted that attendees will learn about the issues, the risks, and ASHRAE's direction in this area.

Presentations include: