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• Personnel satisfaction is analysed by gray correlation method. • Indoor air temperature and air quality affect personnel satisfaction. • The virus infection is less than 5% in the two operating modes. This study conducted objective physical tests and subjective questionnaire surveys related to the operation of a fresh air system in an office building in Beijing before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The long-term tests on indoor environmental parameters included air temperature, relative air humidity, air velocity, CO 2 concentration, PM 2.5 concentration, and fresh air volume, and the questionnaire surveyed the satisfaction of office workers in the indoor environment. The results showed that the indoor environmental parameters conformed to the values specified in relevant design standards; however, the satisfaction with the indoor environmental parameters was generally low. The probability of infection of indoor personnel with the virus causing COVID-19 under two existing fresh air system operation modes was calculated and compared, and it was less than 5%. A gray correlation analysis of the measured data with the questionnaire results identified indoor air temperature and quality as the main factors affecting the subjective satisfaction, which was consistent with the results of the questionnaire analysis. A new operation and maintenance method for fresh air systems was proposed for regular epidemic prevention and control to ensure the normal operation of the office building and the health of indoor personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]