Introduction. IAQ - 5 School Building Summary 2009

Transcription

1 Introduction Vortex Inc. was contracted by Ed Collins, [Facilities Director with the Middletown School Dept.] to provide Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing within the five (5) school buildings while they were occupied by students, faculty, staff and maintenance personnel. The IAQ testing was conducted on November 4, 2009 with the assistance of David Rodriguez. The five schools included the High School, Gaudet Middle School, Forest Ave., Aquidneck Elementary Schools and the Oliphant Administration Building. Random air sampling locations (total of 57 interior areas) were collected within the five school buildings that included classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias and office areas. Refer to the attached IAQ SAMPLING CHART - 11/4/09 for readings/analysis per school building. Testing was performed to capture instantaneous readings for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). These measurements were chosen because of the direct contributions they could have with common health related concerns or problems such as, respiratory ailments, headaches, itchy eyes, tiredness, etc. IAQ - 5 School Building Summary 2009 Temperature and Relative Humidity Temperature results revealed interior levels ranging from 67 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Exterior temperatures were in the mid 40 s throughout the testing period. The majority of areas tested was found to be within the recommended temperature range of 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. At time of inspection, NO areas inspected had temperatures higher than a recommended temperature high of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity results revealed interior levels ranging from 28% to 44%. Interior relative humidity levels were consistently lower than exterior humidity levels at time of sampling. The majority of areas tested was found to be within the recommended humidity range of 30% - 60%. At time of inspection, NO areas inspected had humidity levels higher than a recommended level of 60%. Middletown School Dept. - Page 1 - IAQ Report for 2009

2 EXPLANATION OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY The current ASHRAE recommended temperature for optimum comfort is degrees Fahrenheit ( o F). However, this component is very dependent on occupant sensitivity. ASHRAE also recommends that the relative humidity be maintained between 30% and 60%. Levels below 30% may lead to symptoms such as eye irritation, and drying of the mucous membranes. Levels in excess of 60% are conducive to microbial growth. Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide levels within the areas revealed interior levels ranging from 400 ppm to 877 ppm. Exterior levels were at approximately 400 ppm range. 100% of the areas sampled were within the OSHA "recommended" permissible exposure range. 100% of the areas sampled were within the acceptable range per ASHRAE Standards. EXPLANATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE Carbon dioxide is a product of human respiration and, in itself is not likely to pose a health hazard. The reason CO2 is measured is because elevated levels of carbon dioxide may serve as an indicator of insufficient intake of fresh air into a building, or an insufficient number of air changes in the working environment. OSHA currently sets 5,000 parts per million (ppm) as their Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for occupational exposure to CO 2. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) currently recommends that CO 2 levels be maintained below 1,000 ppm. CO 2 levels will typically increase over the course of a normal day as human exhalation buildings up. These levels usually decrease when a given area is unoccupied, such as, during lunch breaks and at the end of a school day. Middletown School Dept. - Page 2 - IAQ Report for 2009

3 Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide results revealed interior levels were consistently 0 ppm in all areas sampled. Exterior levels were also 0 ppm. Results at all school buildings were within acceptable indoor air quality levels at time of testing. EXPLANATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of any carbon-containing fuel. It is a chemical asphyxiate that prevents oxygen from reaching the body's tissues. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), sets 9 ppm over a 24-hour time weighted average (TWA) as their standard for acceptable levels of carbon monoxide in outdoor (ambient) air. The OSHA PEL for carbon monoxide is 35 ppm over an eight (8) hour TWA, and 50 ppm over one hour. The outdoor ambient air quality level for CO is 9 ppm for 8 hours and 5 ppm for one hour. ASHRAE has suggested these outdoors levels as targets for indoor limits in its ventilation standard (ASHRAE 52-89). Outdoor levels are usually between 1-10 ppm with indoor levels usually tracking outdoor levels. Instrumentation Vortex Inc. utilized the direct reading Vulcain Air Quality Monitor which analyzes for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO) in parts per million (PPM), temperature and relative humidity. IAQ SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATIONS Comparative results from Indoor Air Quality testing has been performed (fall months) within the Middletown School Department for the past eight (8) years, excluding This time of year is ideal for testing due to: 1) the heating system is activated. Middletown School Dept. - Page 3 - IAQ Report for 2009

4 2) the windows are closed during the testing period and 3) it presents the worst case scenario regarding indoor air quality. The majority of areas are selected randomly with several areas specifically identified for testing by the Middletown School Department and unknown to Vortex Inc. Test results from 2009 as compared to the past years indicate: 1) Consistent temperature average readings in classrooms from all five (5) school buildings from previous year. Majority of classroom temperatures were within the 2 degree range established by the thermostat settings in the vast majority of classrooms. 2) Low interior carbon dioxide levels in all five (5) school buildings. 3) The HVAC system upgrades and renovations over the past several years have been successful in producing a more comfortable environment for the occupants. Refer to attached IAQ Sampling Chart 11/04/09 for reading results. John Carbone John Carbone (Industrial Hygienist) Middletown School Dept. - Page 4 - IAQ Report for 2009

5 Middletown Public Schools IAQ Sampling Chart 11/4/09 Location Number of Students in Class Carbon Monoxide # PPM PPM Carbon Dioxide Temperature Humidity Windows Open All thermostats are set between degrees Fehrenheit % HIGH SCHOOL EXTERIOR NO HALL NO NO NO NO LIBRARY NO NO NO ROOM # NO CAFETERIA NO Average AQUIDNECK SCHOOL EXTERIOR NO HALL NO NO HALL - 2ND FL NO NO NO NO MAIN NO Average

6 Location Number of Students in Class Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide Temperature Humidity Windows Open FOREST AVENUE SCHOOL # PPM PPM All thermostats are set between degrees Fehrenheit % EXTERIOR NO LIBRARY NO NO NO HALL NO NO GYM NO NO Average OLIPHANT ADMIN. BLDG. EXTERIOR ND FL. CORR NO NO NO NO BUS NO ED NO SUPT NO SUPT. SEC NO TECH NO OPEN AREA NO STAIRS - EAST NO Average

7 Location Number of Students in Class Carbon Monoxide # PPM PPM Carbon Dioxide Temperature Humidity Windows Open All thermostats are set between degrees Fehrenheit % GAUDET MIDDLE SCHOOL EXTERIOR NO NURSE NO CAFETERIA NO ART NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO LIBRARY NO 1ST FL. HALL NO MAIN NO NO NO NO NO NO NO GYM NO BAND ROOM NO Average