Clean Air is Critical for Education

A Stainless Steel HVAC System is the Foundation for Indoor Air Quality

Most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And indoor levels of air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels.

With so much time spent inside being exposed to pollutants, indoor air quality (IAQ) management is of utmost importance, particularly in the spaces where we spend most of our days.

For children, this space is a school building, where clean air is critical for learning. That’s why HVAC design for schools should be thoughtful, purposeful, and well-built.

Clean Air Prevents Illness and Missed School Days

Poor indoor air quality doesn’t just make a school an uncomfortable place to be. It also creates a breeding ground for illness that causes both children and teachers to miss school.

Generally, the short-term health effects are not so much worrisome as they are inconvenient. Poor IAQ can cause:

Coughing
Fatigue
Nausea and dizziness
Allergic reactions
Eye, nose, or skin irritation
Headaches
Respiratory illnesses

Poor indoor air quality can also aggravate asthma symptoms, a major problem considering that one in 13 school children have been diagnosed with it, and it’s a leading contributor to absenteeism. In fact, fresh, clean air reduces student absences because of illness by 3.4 percent, a figure that translates into millions of school days around the world.

And during a pandemic, airborne illnesses are already commonplace; if air circulation is subpar, or a filtration system isn’t present, everyone in the building is at a higher risk of getting sick, not only from viruses and bacteria, but also from molds.

A stainless steel HVAC system from AJ Manufacturing can help prevent missed days in the classroom and positively affect student performance.

Proper HVAC Design for Schools Keeps Students Comfortable

A sense of comfort and well-being are vital in creating a favorable environment for students, faculty, and staff in schools. Indoor temperature and humidity can affect indoor air contaminant levels.

A teacher cannot simply open a window to let in fresh air; they have to take into account the outdoor temperature, and the fact that there are additional airborne particles being let inside that can contribute to poor air quality.

Thermal concerns are often addressed ahead of actual air quality – but a stainless steel HVAC system takes care of both so that students can focus and learn.

Commercial Air Diffusers and Other HVAC Components Reduce Risk of Major Health Concerns

Poor IAQ can contribute to life-threatening diseases, like Legionnaire’s. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a more extreme concern. Components as simple as stainless steel supply grilles or stainless steel return grilles have an effect on air quality.

Certain populations of people are more susceptible to the effects of air contaminants, including people with chemical sensitivities, chronic respiratory diseases, and suppressed immune systems. Even those who wear contact lenses are more at risk.

Protecting the most vulnerable of populations, including those in schools, is not only important from an ethical standpoint, but also from a legal standpoint.

Integrating a School IAQ Management Program into Your Regular Maintenance Tasks

Prioritize healthy indoor environments by adding IAQ management into your building maintenance. The EPA provides in-depth resources on their website for doing so.

In short, you’ll need to add tasks and budget related to:

Quality HVAC system design
Mold and moisture control
Integrated pest management
Regular cleaning and maintenance, both routine and specific to your HVAC system
Purchasing materials, such as cleaning products, that don’t contribute to reduced air quality
Source control and chemical management

To be successful, your approach should serve as the foundation of your IAQ management and follow these key drivers:

Organize
Establish an effective organizational structure to develop a systematic approach to addressing indoor air quality.

Communicate
Be transparent about your goals and processes. Show why IAQ is important.

Assess
Conduct studies to identify risks and determine a baseline from which you can compare future air quality tests. Listen to those who work or learn in the building.

Plan
Create an IAQ management plan that prioritizes steps you’ll take and policies you’ll create to improve air quality.

Act
Address structural, behavioral, or institutional issues and communicate how building users can contribute to IAQ processes. Drive behavior change by educating staff.

Evaluate
Evaluate your results as compared to your original assessment. Measure and monitor metrics to determine your program’s return on investment.

Upgrading a Stainless Steel HVAC System for Schools

If your new IAQ management program’s assessment finds that your school building needs an upgrade to its existing HVAC system, AJ Manufacturing can manufacture the components you need.

Your school district’s construction department should contact us to request a proposal for your new equipment, including stainless steel commercial air diffusers, grilles, and more.

AJ Manufacturing specializes in the fabrication of HVAC components for critical environments and commercial buildings, where air quality is important.