A thorough understanding of all the factors that interact to create indoor air quality problems can help avoid this undesirable outcome. EPA adopted more stringent standards for gasoline-powered equipment, such as lawnmowers and string trimmers, which will lower hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824. All schools need ventilation, which is the process of supplying outdoor air to occupied areas within the school. Compendium of Policy Documents and Statements. Selecting HVAC Systems for Schools. New in the 2022 edition of the standard are changes that represent years of research, statistical evidence, and improved building systems and technologies: Looking for previous revisions?ASHRAE offers superseded editions of Standard 62.1 and User's Manuals in the ASHRAE Bookstore. Concern about IAQ stimulated reconsideration of the standard, so that its most recent version, Standard 62-2001, calls for a minimum of 15 cfm/person in classrooms. That directive pre-supposes that the standard would contain only minimum requirements. The problem could be fairly complex, occur only intermittently, or extend beyond traditional fields of knowledge. Often, more than one problem can exist, requiring more than one solution. Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools. When construction or remodeling is underway, special precautions should be used to separate work areas from occupied areas. In addition, the appendix includes a section on IAQ-related publications. Some of the pathways change as doors and windows open and close. Competent professionals will ask questions about your situation to see whether they can offer services that will assist you. EPA estimates that 7,000 to 30,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year are attributed to radon. This debate may be somewhat perplexing outside of the U.S. and ASHRAE, where the health impacts of indoor air and their importance are much less controversial. These emissions contribute to air pollution nationwide and are the primary cause of air pollution in many areas. In older units, odor problems are often associated with moldy classroom carpets. Source: ASHRAE Standard 62-2001, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, Introduction and distribution of adequate outdoor air; and. Reducing the moisture content (vapor pressure) of the air; Increasing air movement at the surface; or. When opened, however, air will move from inside (area of higher pressure) to the outside (area of lower pressure). Upgrade filters in ventilation systems to medium efficiency when possible and change frequently. Other than for lead and asbestos remediation, there are no Federal regulations covering professional services in the general field of indoor air quality, although some disciplines (e.g., engineers, industrial hygienists) whose practitioners work with IAQ problems have licensing and certification requirements. Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Business Services, School Facilities Branch, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. (Companion document to the Learning Module). (October 1997)* Prepared by U.S. EPA. Even after the problem is correctly diagnosed and a proper mitigation strategy is in place, it may take days or weeks for contaminants to dissipate and symptoms to disappear. Raising the temperature of the first condensing surface. ASHRAE Standards related to the NJ IAQ Standard: Standard 55-2004 - Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy . A comprehensive program might include: Some other smart actions that reduce emissions include adopting driving practices that save gas and improve mileage, maintaining vehicles on a regular basis and using cleaner fuels. The graphic below summarizes the main steps for responsive communications. For example, planting deciduous trees on the south side of a building provides shade, reducing heat absorbed by the building during the summer. These programs can reduce pollution, odor and noise, and save schools money by reducing engine wear and fuel consumption. When mold growth occurs in buildings, reports of health-related symptoms from some building occupants, particularly those with allergies or respiratory problems, may follow. National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory Local and state health departments can also be helpful in defining life- and safety-threatening emergencies. Nearly 1 in 13 children of school-age has asthma, the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness. Report to Congressional requesters on School Facilities. If testing identifies schoolrooms with radon levels of 4 pCi/L or greater, officials should reduce the radon levels using an appropriate mitigation strategy. See also Asthma Triggers: Secondhand Smoke - About Secondhand Smoke and Asthma. Because updating building codes often takes several years, current building codes may require more ventilation than when the system was designed. With sufficient concentrations and duration, these pollutants may increase the chance of cancer or other serious health effects, such as asthma. Provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold and moisture problems and how to prevent build-up. ), Section 1 Why IAQ Is Important to Your School, Appendix A Hiring Professional Assistance, Appendix I Emissions from Motor Vehicles and Equipment, Interaction of Sources, HVAC Systems, Pathways, and Occupants, "Typical Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants. Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Fundamentals of good indoor air quality according to ASHRAE Acceptable indoor air quality is typically not achieved by addressing any one specific building product, system, or procedure. Available from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Clearinghouse. Some mobile sources at your school may include: Special situations involving motor vehicles or equipment off school property may also contribute to the deterioration of the overall air quality near schools. If mold is a problem, get rid of excess water or moisture and clean up the mold. IAQ solutions that are durable are more attractive than approaches that require frequent maintenance or specialized skills. Reducing stress for school staff may involve new management practices, job redesign, or resolution of underlying labor-management problems. For most school children and staff, the second largest contributor to their radon exposure is likely to be their school. Moreover, the asthma rate among children ages 5 to 14 rose 74 percent between 1980 and 1994, making asthma the most common chronic childhood disease. Description: Dust is made up of particles in the air that settle on surfaces. This guidance is useful to school personnel (e.g., school business officials) and architects involved with the new school construction. Closing curtains reduces heating from direct sunlight and reduces occupant exposure to hot or cold window surfaces. Long-term economic considerations include: Strong consideration should be given to purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products. * Prepared by U.S. EPA. (1997) Prepared by U.S. EPA, Region 9. The goal of diagnosing an IAQ problem is to identify the cause of the problem and implement an appropriate solution. An individuals risk of developing lung cancer from radon increases with the level of radon, the duration of exposure and the individuals smoking habits. Temperature, relative humidity and chemical smoke device for indicating air movement; Seating sensitive students away from pets or considering removing pets from the classroom. Both can perform the same HVAC functions, but a unit ventilator serves a single room while the central air-handling unit serves multiple rooms. NOTE: During the cooling season, increasing temperature decreases energy consumption, though it could cause comfort problems. See Appendix L: " Resources". The standard provides procedures and methods for meeting minimum ventilation and IAQ requirements to engineers, design professionals, owners, and jurisdictional authorities where model codes have been adopted. ASHRAE Standing Standard Project Committee 62.1 Cognizant TC: TC 5.12, Ventilation Requirements and Infiltration SPLS Liaison: Donald L. Brandt The complaint area may need to be revised as the investigation progresses. (1999) Prepared by Michael Nicklas, Gary Bailey, Harshad D. Padia, Nadav Malin. Reducing Emissions of Fully Halogenated Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Refrigerants in Refrigeration and Air Condition Equipment and Applications. Provides an organized summary of information related to facts of mold growth in school buildings and portable classrooms. Allergens from pests may be significant asthma triggers for students and staff in schools. Fact Sheet: Asbestos. NO 2 acts mainly as an irritant affecting the mucosa of the eyes, nose, throat, and . Due to varying sensitivities among school occupants, IAQ problems may affect a group of people or just one individual. Describes EPAs major assessment of the respiratory health risks associated with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). (December 1991)* Prepared by U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In recognition of tight school budgets, this guidance is designed to present practical and often low-cost actions you can take to identify and address existing or potential air quality problems. Check outdoor air quality and outdoor sources. Replacing absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, if they are contaminated with mold. Since cars and trucks are not the only mobile sources on school grounds, attention should also be paid to lawn and garden equipment for reducing emissions. After the ventilation system modifications are completed, school facility operators shall be provided with training and two copies of a manual that documents the ventilation system control strategy, operating parameters and maintenance requirements. The more clearly you can define the project scope, the more likely you are to achieve the desired result without paying for unnecessary services. 202-462-6272, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (2004)* Prepared by U.S. EPA. Many other aspects are unique to schools: For more information, see Indoor Air Quality. Measure the amount of outdoor air entering the outdoor air intake of the HVAC unit to ensure it meets or exceeds the amount specified or 15 cfm per person, whichever is greater. See Section 6. Environmental Sciences, Inc., 105 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85705. First, ensure that a spokesperson is ready by having a working understanding of the communication guidance found in this section, and a background knowledge of IAQ as outlined in Section 1 and Section 2. It is important for occupants to understand how their activities directly affect ventilation pathways and sources of pollutants in their school. There is also evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust from school buses and other vehicles exacerbates asthma and allergies. Molds produce tiny spores for reproduction that travel through the air continually. 202-872-8110, Electric Power Research Institute Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers: Your Children Will Breathe Easier. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on to survive. For each problem that is identified, develop a solution using the basic control strategies described below. Pollutants from building materials or from HVAC system itself, may build up during unoccupied periods. It is important to take reported IAQ problems seriously and respond quickly: In some cases, people may believe that they are being adversely affected by the indoor air, but the basis for their perception may be some other form of stressor not directly related to IAQ. Please note the following as you prepare to use this Action Kit: This Action Kit contains public information that may be produced or modified in whole or in part without permission. (1988) G. Rajhans. Phone: (734) 214-4333 (voicemail) or (734) 214-4462 The first decision that must be made in dealing with an IAQ problem is whether the problem requires an emergency response, as shown in the diagram below. Increase the room temperature to avoid overcooling. See: Cost for radon testing in a typical school building ranges from $500 to $1,500. This Standard provided a prescriptive approach to ventilation by specifying both minimum and recommended outdoor air flow rates l -------f to obtain acceptable indoor air quality for a variety of indoor spaces. (1985) * Prepared by U.S. EPA. This Action Kit is not intended as a substitute for appropriate emergency action in a hazardous situation that may be immediately threatening to life or safety. The other 27 percent will have six or more such schoolrooms. 6500 Glenway Avenue, Building D-7, Cincinnati, OH 45211. Chemicals and gasoline stored in school buildings can contribute to indoor air quality concerns, and equipment usage can result in exposure to air pollutants and toxics. Even when people smoke outside, secondhand smoke may enter the school through the ventilation system, windows and doors. Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals. You should not wait until an investigation is nearly completed or until final data are available before providing some basic elements of information. A better strategy would be to increase surface temperatures by insulating the exterior walls, thereby reducing relative humidity in the corners. The proposal shall include a life-cycle cost analysis of energy conservation options (e.g., economizer cooling, heat recovery ventilation). A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. Set-back thermostats (programmable thermostats) are commonly used to reduce energy consumption during the heating season. Raise the temperature of the air near room surfaces. (February 1995)**** Prepared by the U.S. General Accounting Office. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (Published) Standards Related Links. In addition, schools should respond promptly and effectively to any IAQ issues that may arise. and more frequent visits to the emergency room and hospital. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are also more likely to have reduced lung function and symptoms of respiratory irritation like coughing, excess phlegm and wheezing. The approach with the lowest initial cost may not be the least expensive over the long run. (October 1994) Arthur Wheeler and Walter Kunz, Jr. Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Business Services, School Facilities Branch, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. 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