Unique Challenges:
Wildfires and Infectious Aerosols
ASHRAE Guideline 44 and Standard 241
Wildfire smoke and infectious aerosols continue to present unique challenges for building design, operation, and occupant well-being. As expectations around indoor air quality evolve, engineers and technical professionals need to understand how emerging guidance and standards can be applied in practice.
This presentation highlights key considerations from ASHRAE Guideline 44, which addresses wildfire smoke and its impact on indoor environments, and ASHRAE Standard 241, which addresses control of infectious aerosols. Together, these publications provide an important framework for evaluating ventilation, air cleaning, building readiness, and response strategies under a range of conditions.
If time permits, the session will also include a brief update on ASHRAE Standard 62.1, with emphasis on its continued relevance to ventilation and indoor air quality.
Speaker Bio
Eric Sturm joined Trane in 2006 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. Before joining the Applications Engineering team, he worked in Customer Direct Services (C.D.S.) as a marketing engineer and product manager for the TRACE™ 700 load design and energy simulation application, where he supported and trained customers around the world.
Today, Eric specializes in acoustics, airside systems, indoor agriculture, and indoor air quality. He is actively involved with ASHRAE as a member of the Standard 62.1 Project Committee and the Guideline 44 Project Committee, chair of the Plant and Animal Environment Technical Committee, and a member of the Sound and Vibration Technical Committee. He is also a recipient of the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and the Young Engineers in ASHRAE Award of Individual Excellence.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Location: Building 13 GTP Theatre
PDH Credit: 1 hour
Who Should Attend: This session is intended for technical audiences, including:
Engineers
HVAC and IAQ specialists
Building systems professionals
Applications, sales, and technical support teams
Anyone interested in current ASHRAE guidance related to indoor air quality
