The requirements in this standard apply to patient care areas and related support areas within health care facilities@ including hospitals@ nursing facilities@ and outpatient facilities. This standard applies to new buildings@ additions to existing buildings@ and those alterations to existing buildings that are identified within this standard. This standard considers chemical@ physical@ and biological contaminants that can affect the delivery of medical care to patients; the convalescence of patients; and the safety of patients@ health care workers@ and visitors. PURPOSE The purpose of this standard is to define ventilation system design requirements that provide environmental control for comfort@ asepsis@ and odor in health care facilities.