Updated guidance on the usage of fans

July 18, 2022

In view of the extremely warm weather, we have some updated guidance on the usage of fans in non-clinical and clinical areas. Conventional, bladed fans can be used and may be beneficial where there is poor air circulation, moving air towards windows.

Fans should not be used in COVID-19 areas (unless discussed and agreed by IPC) or be directed towards doors, driving air into other rooms, or from sources of aerosol generation, directly towards other patients.

Note: Fans will not cool colleagues wearing water repellent PPE, so they will be of limited practical value in ITU settings and are therefore not advised.

Colleagues should ensure maintenance and cleaning of fans and their blades should continue as all fans need to be clean and free from dust.

Dyson fans must not be used as they are unable to be cleaned.

We must also remind colleagues to close windows at the end of the day before leaving the office. Also, it is a fire hazard to prop open doors so this should not be done under any circumstance.