A few weeks ago, I joined several thousand colleagues in Phoenix, Arizona for the ASHRAE 2025 Annual Conference, one of the two pivotal meetings where the organization conducts its most important business. This year’s conference felt particularly significant as we welcomed our new President, Bil McQuade, and his compelling theme for the 2025-26 ASHRAE Society Year: “Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life.”
As McQuade eloquently states on his Presidential Page, “Balancing energy efficiency with good IEQ ensures that buildings are not only environmentally sustainable but also conducive to the health and productivity of their occupants, creating a win-win situation for both people and the planet.” This philosophy perfectly captures where our industry is heading.
ASHRAE Standards in Motion: Progress Worth Celebrating
During the conference, I participated in numerous committee meetings—Guideline 42, SSPC 62.1, SSPC 241, EHC, SSPC 185.5, SSPC 145, and TG2.RAST among others. While my primary focus remains indoor air and environmental quality, including pathogen reduction on both air and surfaces, I was struck by a common thread running through every discussion: the urgent need to improve indoor spaces for occupant safety and health.
ASHRAE 2025: The Pathogen Standard is Coming
One of the most exciting developments is the progress of the 241 standard on controlling infectious aerosols. After completing its public review and comment period (a process that allows anyone to influence changes to existing and new standards), we’re expecting publication in spring 2026. This represents a major milestone—the first-time pathogens will be formally integrated into indoor air quality standards as an ANSI standard that can be adopted into building codes.
The response was overwhelming, with a high volume of comments indicating strong industry interest. While no standard is perfect, this continuous improvement approach allows us to evolve with new technologies and research findings.
Beyond Minimum: The Guideline 42 Opportunity
Here’s something every engineer and building owner should understand: standards like 62.1 represent minimum requirements. When you design a building to meet these standards, you’re providing the baseline level of protection from airborne contaminants—not optimal protection.
This is where Guideline 42 becomes invaluable. It provides practical guidance for creating facilities that exceed minimum requirements. Currently undergoing updates to reflect current best practices (potentially including pathogen considerations), this guideline represents the bridge between “code compliant” and “truly healthy” buildings.
Emerging Technologies: The Testing Revolution
The work happening in TG2.RAST (Technical Group on Reactive Air and Surface Technologies) demonstrates how seriously we’re taking next-generation IAQ solutions. Unlike traditional single-pass effectiveness tests designed for filters and UV technologies, new testing standards like 185.5 and 145.3 focus on duct-mounted technologies that actively work within occupied spaces.
Standard 185.5 recently completed its public comment period, and we’re optimistic about its upcoming publication. These developments signal a shift toward more comprehensive approaches to indoor air quality.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
While technology adoption in our industry can feel glacially slow, the progress is real and accelerating. The collaborative efforts of manufacturers, engineers, technicians, academics, and scientists ensure that only proven, viable technologies gain widespread adoption.
We’ve long known that good filtration and fresh air are fundamental to indoor air quality. However, as I’ve discussed in previous posts, these solutions alone aren’t sufficient. The future lies in balanced systems that combine traditional approaches with modern active technologies—a comprehensive solution addressing all aspects of IAQ and IEQ.
Seeing ASHRAE embrace this holistic direction gives me tremendous optimism for our industry’s future.
ASHRAE 2025 Call To Action: Your Voice Matters
Whether you’re an engineer, building owner, scientist, academic, or simply someone passionate about the built environment, ASHRAE needs your perspective. The standards and guidelines shaping tomorrow’s buildings are developed through volunteer expertise and diverse viewpoints.
Ready to contribute to healthier buildings? Visit ASHRAE.org to learn more about membership and how you can make a difference.
The path to truly healthy buildings isn’t just about meeting minimum standards, it’s about reimagining what’s possible when we prioritize occupant health alongside energy efficiency. The work happening now will define the built environment for generations to come.