For which type of building was air exchange capacity specifically increased to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases?

The choice of 10-story office buildings as the type of building where air exchange capacity was specifically increased to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases is based on the need to improve indoor air quality in densely occupied spaces. In higher occupancy environments like office buildings, where people congregate and share close spaces, there is a greater risk of airborne transmission of pathogens.

To mitigate this risk, building codes and design recommendations have been adapted to enhance ventilation systems. By increasing air exchange rates, more outdoor air is introduced into the indoor environment, which helps dilute potential airborne contaminants, thereby reducing the likelihood of disease transmission. This approach became especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of adequate ventilation in commercial and public buildings where many individuals spend an extended amount of time together.

Single-family homes, retail shops, and storage facilities generally do not experience the same level of continuous high density or prolonged occupancy as office buildings, making the imperative for increased air exchange levels less critical in those types of spaces.