What is the pressure condition of a room designed to be lower than surrounding areas?

A room designed to maintain a pressure condition lower than that of surrounding areas is referred to as a negative pressure room. This is a critical design feature in healthcare settings, particularly in isolation rooms where patients with infectious diseases are housed. The negative pressure ensures that air flows into the room from surrounding areas, rather than escaping from it. This helps to contain airborne pathogens within the room, thereby protecting other areas of the facility and minimizing the risk of airborne transmission of infections.

Negative pressure rooms typically have ventilation systems that continuously draw air into them, creating a vacuum effect. This is essential in environments where controlling the spread of infection is a priority, as it helps to mitigate the risk to staff, patients, and visitors.