Michael Gallagher Featured in HVAC Classes Expert Interview on Wildfire Smoke

Michael Gallagher, PE, President Emeritus of Western Allied Corporation and a committee member of ASHRAE’s Guideline 44, was recently interviewed by HVAC Classes for a feature on how HVAC systems can help protect buildings from wildfire smoke.

The interview covers Guideline 44, “Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events,” which outlines best practices for building design, operation, and maintenance during wildfire smoke events. Mike discusses the importance of a Smoke Readiness Plan (SRP), stressing that preparation, not reaction, is what protects a building’s occupants once smoke arrives.

Among the practical takeaways, Mike explains why a well-sealed building envelope makes it far easier and cheaper to keep smoke out, why MERV 13 is currently the residential gold standard for filtration, and why HVAC technicians play a key role in helping homeowners identify envelope weaknesses they might otherwise overlook.

Mike also speaks to a broader shift in the industry: awareness of wildfire smoke as a design consideration has grown dramatically over the past decade, and with wildfire seasons becoming less predictable, that awareness is only becoming more critical.

Read the full interview on HVAC Classes here: HVAC Filters & Devices for Wildfire Smoke: Expert Interview