Healthy Buildings

The University has adapted by code, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard. Standard 62.1 specifies minimum ventilation rates and other measures intended to provide indoor air quality (IAQ) that's acceptable to human occupants and that minimizes adverse health effects. The standard provides procedures and methods for meeting minimum ventilation and IAQ requirements to engineers, design professionals, owners, and jurisdictional authorities where model codes have been adopted.

Facilities Management is responsible for operating and maintaining the campus HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. This includes all routine maintenance, repairs and preventative maintenance required to keep the systems operating as designed.

As indicated in the Ventilation section, the University has adapted by code, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard. Standard 62.1 specifies minimum ventilation rates and other measures intended to provide indoor air quality (IAQ) that's acceptable to human occupants and that minimizes adverse health effects. 

In spaces that do not meet the air quality standards, like some large group gathering spaces such as classrooms, portable air cleaning units have been in place since the pandemic.

Additional resources: HSRM Indoor Air Quality

The University general practice is to provide temperature setpoints of: 68°F - 74°F. The mode of occupied & unoccupied (and standby) changes the temperature setpoint depending on time of day and usage.

See FM Indoor Temperature Guidelines for additional information.

The cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul deliver treated drinking water to the Twin Cities campus via their water utility systems. Drinking water meets rigorous quality standards. Learn more about water quality: HSRM Water Quality.

Additional resource: City of Minneapolis Water Quality Reports

University Health, Safety and Risk Management (HSRM) employs trained experts who respond to water damage incidents to characterize the extent of the water damage. These employees also conduct indoor air quality and mold assessments in areas with past water damage. The Facilities Management Hazardous Materials Program (FMHMP) group assists with Asbestos, Mold, lead, and mercury abatement. The University contracts with vendors able to respond to water damage, mold abatement, and building HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) remediation.

Addition resource: UMN Environmental Assessments and Remediation Policy

Regular housekeeping practices followed by Facilities Management may be found in the FM Custodial Maroon Standard. They include routine cleaning and sanitizing of work surfaces, equipment, tools, and machinery, and areas in the work environment, including restrooms, break rooms, lunchrooms, and meeting rooms. All cleaning products meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. Learn more: FM Custodial Services.

Facilities Management manages contract(s) with pest control suppliers who provide routine and requested service to facilities on campus, including residential housing.

Construction projects follow dust and pest standard practices as outlined in the General Requirements section of the University Building Standards.

In the University workplace, the allowable personal noise limits are based upon an 8 hour exposure. The University protects against outdoor noises such as traffic, aircraft and construction; and controlling indoor sources of noise such as mechanical equipment, office equipment and machinery.

For general purpose classrooms the maximum level of background noise allowed in the same classroom is 35 decibels (dBA).

Additional resource: HSRM Personal Exposure Limits

The University standard for qualified new buildings and remodelings is to meet the Buildings Benchmarks & Beyond (B3) criteria. Light levels, usually measured in footcandles, follow Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) guidelines. B3 Guidelines include light levels, lamp specifications, daylighting, glare, and surface reflectance.

For more information visit: B3 Guideline 1.5: Lighting and Daylighting 

The University provides a welcoming and open atmosphere to the public campus while still securing buildings to minimize risk. This robust safety and security program encompasses various measures provided by multiple University departments. Some of these measures include preventive maintenance for fire, life and safety systems (quarterly testing of fire alarm systems, churning/testing of fire pumps, regular testing of emergency lighting, etc), deployment of interior and exterior security cameras, the presence of safety monitors conducting campus/building patrols after hours, card access systems for both buildings and individual spaces, building-specific emergency plans managed by primary building contacts, and the 624-WALK service as well as a Safety Notifications.

Additional resources: Visit Safe Campus which is a comprehensive web presence for our University community that includes content curated for: personal wellbeing, neighborhood safety, getting around, workplace (lab and building) safety, and a safety approach. It includes guidance, resources and information from the Department of Public Safety, Health, Safety and Risk Management, Facilities Management, and the Facility Roles Program.

Visit University Services Campus Maps to find locations and more information about: accessible building entrances, paratransit stops, all-gender restrooms, lactation spaces, wellness rooms, building hours, walkways, bikeways, destinations, parking, EV stations and much more!

Wayfinding and building signage is important to the University community and visitors to campus. Facilities Management’s Signs and Graphics department provides standards for University signage. Facilities Management is responsible for standard building signage, and for posting messaging in public areas of buildings including exterior doors, entrances, lobbies, restrooms, entrances, and lobbies.

Additional resource: University policy Distribution of Temporary Information through Publications, Signs, Banners or Chalking and Twin Cities Campus Specific Requirements for more information about posting.