The Study to Develop Design Criteria for University Cafeterias – Post Covid – 19

Abstract

The Study to Develop Design Criteria for University Cafeterias – Post Covid – 19 aims to 1) To study Thai laws, regulations, and measures in the prevention of COVID-19 2) To analyze and compare the regulations and measures in the prevention of COVID-19 3) To develop criteria for designing university cafeterias in Thailand to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This research is qualitative research that has a research methodology as documentary research, which studies and analyzes data from the review of relevant laws, measures, and regulations both in Thailand and internationally. In order to understand the criteria for designing university cafeterias in Thailand to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19. From the study found that the design criteria for planning the university cafeteria can be divided into 3 parts, namely 1) Design criteria for planning cafeteria’s area, 2) Design criteria to install equipment, and 3) Ventilation criteria for cafeteria building. Firstly, the guidance of planning cafeteria area recommends the university cafeterias to maintain physical distance between persons when picking up meals and when eating in the distance of 1 – 2 m. and the distance between table 2 – 4 m. Including mark one door to enter and one to exit with one-way walking paths. Secondly, the design criteria to install equipment indicated that the cafeteria area can support adequate hand sanitizing station which has to be near the entrance and in front of every shops. Including, preparing the cafeteria wall with a good design for posting signs to promote everyday prevention measures and prepare a space to store cleaning equipment along the service area. Additionally, preparing places for touchless equipment and devices such as touch-free trash can, touchless faucets, and automatic soap dispensers. On the other hand, for the significant criteria, consideration must be given to the outdoor space by either having a canopy in the selling food area or installing an umbrella above the dining area. Thirdly, the ventilation criteria for cafeteria building stated that the ventilation should be further increased through cross-ventilation, by opening windows or doors at the opposite sides of a room with a distance opening not more than 15 m. In case the windows can open only on one side, all windows on the same side must be opened along the wall. Besides, the room’s height must less than twice the width of the room. Where air conditioning is installed, there must be sufficient ventilation and consider the direction of air flow so that the ventilated air won’t be flown to people nearby. For recirculating air system, the exhaust fan must be installed in the kitchen and toilet to ventilate at all times. The exhaust fan can also be installed in the roof gable, above the roof, and in a blind spot to bring out indoor air. Lastly, the direction of airflow can be controlled and be able to flow from clean areas to less clean areas while the exhaust fans should be spaced at least 5 m. to avoid the recirculation of a poor air back into the cafeteria. Keywords: University Cafeteria, Covid - 19, Cafeteria Design Criteria, Cafeteria Ventilation