Sustaining Indoor Environmental Quality in the Classroom to Improve Learning

Transcription

1 Sustaining Indoor Environmental Quality in the Classroom to Improve Learning Dale Walsh, MS, CIH, LEED-AP Converse Consultants Las Vegas, Nevada UNLV and CSN Instructor

2 Abstract This presentation will include the basics of establishing and maintaining good indoor environmental quality in a school environment. Designing and maintaining adequate amounts of clean outdoor air to dilute pollutants generated from both the environment and the occupants is important in reducing transmission of diseases between students and in reducing exposure to building related contaminants and other potentially harmful particulates. To illustrate the value and problems that can arise from poor indoor environmental quality, a case study of an Arizona school with high profile indoor air quality problems will be addressed. In addition, studies regarding improved learning attributed to building schools under Green Building systems will be presented.

3 Indoor Environmental Quality Assessment Basics Walkthrough Ventilation Assessment Interviews Testing Recommendations

4 IEQ Walkthrough Water Damage or Intrusion: roof leaks, landscape watering, plumbing, condensate, improper pipe and duct insulation, etc. Odors: sewer, solvents (lab and cleaners), musty, stuffy, irritating, dusty, bodies, etc. Plants and Animals: over-watering, rodents, insects, cat/dog dander, dust mites, etc.

5 IEQ Walkthrough (cont) Work Stations and Classroom Arrangement: glare, chairs, lighting, noise, privacy, density, etc. Teacher s Personal Air Filters, Fans, Heaters, etc.: shouldn t have these, can add pollutants Housekeeping: dust accumulation, cleaning products, vacuum type, splash control, etc.

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7 Ventilation Assessment Filters: change out, MERV rating, seals Cleanliness: coil cleaning, ductwork, fan Outdoor Air: amount, location, close to sewer vents, near pollution sources Supplies and Returns: flow, number, locations, balance

8 Ventilation Assessment (cont) Lined Ductwork: common, noise reduction, accumulates dust, installed dirty Condensate Drainage: into dry floor drains, lips on drain pipe, sloped wrong, not accessible, secondary pans

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10 Interviews Symptoms: timing, allergic, rashes, preexisting conditions How Many Occupants Affected: locations Maintenance Person: history of building, water leaks, smells, maintenance schedule Perceived Problems & What Should Be Done

11 Sneezilla attacks Mommy! you need a diaper change When I said I wanted a new bowl I meant for FOOD

12 Testing Aerosols: mold, pollen, fiberglass, skin cells, insect parts, bird feathers, cellulosic particles, opaque particles, toner particles, combustion CO2, CO, Temp, RH: assesses outdoor intake, combustion sources and comfort Volatile Organic Compounds: off-gassing from contents, people, cleaners, etc. Aldehydes (formaldehyde): off-gassing from furniture, particleboard, carpet, etc.

13 Testing (cont) Hydrogen Sulfide: sewer, rotten eggs Ozone: printers, copiers Organic Amines: wet insulation, fish odor Ultrafine Particulates: combustion sources, outdoor air infiltration, copier/printer emissions Destructive Testing: identify water intrusion

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15 Recommendations Better Filters: increase MERV rating, area filter Constant Airflow: keep fans in the on position at all times Improve Housekeeping: use HEPA vacuums, clean more frequently, dust all areas Clean Coils and Drip Pans: establish regular cleaning of coils and pans - improves flow, saves energy, keeps drainage from clogging

16 HEPA Filters NO OK

17 Recommendations (cont) Balance Air Supplies and Returns: have both in same area but not too close, avoid drafts, adjust to specification More or Better Outdoor Air: increase good outdoor air, filter bad air, keep pollution sources away from intakes *RH Caution* Prevent Water Intrusion Issues: use noncellulose containing materials

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19 Studies Showing Better Learning Two elements of sustainable building design, day lighting and indoor air quality, have direct effects on student performance. Studies now show that better indoor air quality in schools results in healthier students and faculty, which in turn results in lower absenteeism and further improves student achievement. Ref. Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS, 2003)

20 Studies Showing Better Learning Lighting Capistrano Unified School District, CA - Classrooms most daylight had a 20% to 26% faster learning rate most window area had a 15% to 23% faster learning rate diffusing skylights had a 19% to 20% faster rate non-diffusing skylights (causing patches of light and glare) had a 21% decrease for reading tests and no significant results for math tests operable windows had 7% to 8% faster improvement compared to classrooms with fixed windows Heschong Mahone Group for Pacific Gas and Electric, published August 20, 1999

21 A QUIZ to become familiar with Green Building

22 What is Green Building? a) Using Fescue, Bermuda, or St. Augustine but not Kentucky Bluegrass as insulating material in a building. b) The homes and headquarters of Greenpeace and Sierra Club members. c) The art and science of combining blue and yellow building materials in proper proportions. d) Efficiently using resources (energy, water, materials) while reducing impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal.

23 What is Sustainability? a) The ability of an Olympic high diver to maintain his or her handstand for at least 20 seconds before leaving the platform. b) The length of time a structure survives (e.g., Tacoma Narrows Bridge no; the London Bridge yes). c) The ability to gain sustenance from materials in nature such as grubs and grass. d) Satisfying the basic needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs.

24 What is LEED? a) Being in front of the other people b) Lousy Engineering and Even-worse Design c) Louisiana Equal Employment Department d) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

25 Greening America s s Schools costs and benefits October 2006 A Capital E Report Author - Gregory Kats Sponsoring organizations: American Federation of Teachers American Institute of Architects American Lung Association Federation of American Scientists U.S. Green Building Council

26 Executive Summary Quote This report documents the financial costs and benefits of green schools compared to conventional schools. This national review of 30 green schools demonstrates that green schools cost less than 2% more than conventional schools - or about $3 per square foot ($3/ft2) - but provide financial benefits that are 20 times as large. Greening school design provides an extraordinarily cost-effective way to enhance student learning, reduce health and operational costs and, ultimately, increase school quality and competitiveness.

27 Example Financial Table Green vs Conventional Financial Benefits of Green Schools ($/ft2) Energy $ 9 Emissions $ 1 Water and Wastewater $ 1 Increased Earnings $49 Asthma Reduction $ 3 Cold and Flu Reduction $ 5 Teacher Retention $ 4 Employment Impact $ 2 Total $74 Cost of Greening ($3) Net Financial Benefits $71

28 Case Study Corona Del Sol High School Tempe, AZ Built in 1970s During Energy Crisis Amount of Outdoor Air ~¼ of Current Unusual Amount of Brain Tumors Noticed Mold, Asbestos, Elevated CO2 Multi-Million Dollar Retrofit

29 Some Specific IEQ Issues Mold and/or Damp Indoor Spaces (bacteria) Aerosols (duct insulation shed, poor filtration, inadequate housekeeping) Low Humidity VOCs and/or Chemical Odors Sewer Gas Legionella

30 Devil house

31 Devil house

32 Aerosols Duct Lining Shed Aged, Damaged Human Sources Clothes, Skin Combustion Sources Autos, Cooking Printers and Copiers Bad Filter Poor Housekeeping Dust Accumulation Poor Filtration Leaks, Gaps

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34 Low Humidity (<30%) Too Much Dry Outdoor Air Heaters Dry Out Air AC Units Take Out Humidity Eye Irritation Coughing Congestion Skin Irritation or Rashes

35 VOCs and Chemical Odors Formaldehyde from Furnishings Cleaning Compounds Perfumes, Deodorants from Occupants Paints, Sealants and Adhesives Dry Cleaning Carpet and Other Flooring Coolants and Propellants

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37 Sewer Gas (H2S) Vents Near Outdoor Air Intakes Uncompleted Vents Dry P-Traps (Primers) Clogged City/County Lines Broken Pipes in Ground or Building Broken Floor Drains Positive Pressure in Bathrooms

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40 Green Building (LEED) Issues Outdoor Air - ASHRAE 62.1 (Prerequisite) No ETS (Prerequisite) Green Cleaning (Prerequisite) EPA I-BEAM (IAQ-Building Education & Assessment Model) CO2 Monitoring Is More Outdoor Air Better?

41 Green Building (LEED) (cont) IEQ Management (SMACNA, flush, test) Low Emitting Materials Isolate Pollutant Sources and Filtration Occupant Lighting and Comfort Control Comfort Design and Verification Daylight and Views Friendly Pest Management

42 ? QUESTIONS

43 THANK YOU, Thank You Very Much