Schools present unique problems to designers and HVAC practitioners. Most schools are diverse structures with different requirements for classrooms, gymnasiums, locker rooms, cafeterias and auditoriums. Many schools also offer photography as a subject thereby introducing contaminant problems associated with darkrooms. Physics and biology laboratories present their own unique challenges to maintaining proper indoor air quality throughout the facility.
The quality of the air is measured by temperature and humidity, and by the concentration of particulates and gaseous contaminants. Adverse health effects from poor indoor air quality, documented in educational facilities, range from annoyance and respiratory irritation to acute or chronic illness. When classrooms are properly controlled for comfort and are free of excessive contaminants, the learning environment is enhanced.
On any given school day, 51 million people, or one in five of the entire United States population, occupies a school building. There are 110,000 schools in over 15,000 districts, with 2.3 million teachers, 126,000 administrators and 600,000 support staff. By providing proper indoor air quality we can:
- Reduce absenteeism for students and staff
- Reduce building deterioration and improve energy efficiency
- Reduce outside air ventilation requirements
- Prevent strained relationships that result from poor indoor air quality
- Reduce liabilities
- And most importantly, we can protect our investment in the future