VENTILATION 101 WHY VENTILATION IS IMPORTANT IEQ IAQ 10/24/2016 CODE, SYSTEMS, AND IMPACT ON THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

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1 VENTILATION 101 CODE, SYSTEMS, AND IMPACT ON THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHY VENTILATION IS IMPORTANT Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of pollutants are 2-5x higher than outdoors, which leads to poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Thermal Comfort Acoustics Lighting Half of IAQ problems are do to insufficient ventilation. IEQ Indoor Environmental Quality IAQ Indoor Air Quality Ergonomics Source: USEPA Tools for Schools Occupant Controls 1

2 WHY VENTILATION IS IMPORTANT 50% of schools nationwide have issues with IAQ. Children are more vulnerable. Source: USEPA Tools for Schools and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory DEFINITION ppm CO 2 Outdoor Air Ventilation is Outdoor Air Supply Air Indoor Air Intended to be less than 1000 ppm CO 2 2

3 CODE Technical Consortium (ASHRAE Standard 62.1) International Model Minimum Requirements (Code) ASHRAE STANDARD First standard Different rates for different spaces Second Energy Crisis and smoke free buildings require less ventilation 1989 New rates to address Sick Building Syndrome 2004 Correction factors and per person plus per square foot method Outdoor Air Per Person Classroom Cafeteria, Gym, and Spectator Office Any room, Wisconsin Gap

4 OLDER VENTILATION EQUIPMENT ISSUES WITH OLDER EQUIPMENT Original design constraints Microbial, flaking material Noisy Maintenance intensive Poor filtration Inefficient 4

5 OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT Run HVAC equipment continuously when space is occupied Educate staff on the need to run classroom HVAC equipment Keep air pathways clear of furniture and debris Avoid running packaged equipment in the AUTO mode Check outside air damper function and minimum set points periodically MODERN VENTILATION EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS Overhead Mixed Traditional Displacement Induction Displacement Active Chilled Beam 5

6 ECONOMIC ISSUES Makes dehumidification/air conditioning more compelling Requires higher capacity equipment Higher annual energy costs Increasing Ventilation Economic issues are exacerbated by climate. The Midwest has all three extremes regarding cold, heat, and humidity. BENEFITS OF IMPROVED VENTILATION Absenteeism Illness Complaints Sensitivity Productivity Performance Health Classrooms with high ventilation rates scored 14 15% higher on standardized test scores 6

7 CASE STUDY REDUCED SICK LEAVE * Teachers 12% 7% 14% 10% TAs, Cooks 11% 0% 10% 9% Students (7-12) 11% 3% 9% 12% * Flu epidemic that year CASE STUDY HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS Dr. Ron Bratlie, Superintendent and Director of Special Projects Rapidly expanding district Aging facility equipment and IAQ concerns Built two new, high performance schools First of their kind in MN Used a lowest life cycle cost approach Worked with University of Minnesota School of Medicine, who did a study on these two and two other buildings in the District. 7

8 CASE STUDY THE LINCOLN STUDY THE PROBLEM Indoor Air Quality was questioned Staff feel Lincoln is an ill building Parents requesting transfers Use of meds and inhalers Mold growth evident Liability 15 THE LINCOLN STUDY THE PLAN Reduce Use of meds and inhalers Absenteeism Improve Indoor Air Quality Building Perception Performance 8

9 THE LINCOLN STUDY THE RESULTS Student and Staff Results Reduced absences CO2 levels decreased significantly from 2129 to 980 ppm Reduction of health complaints Those with allergies and/or asthma responsive to IAQ changes Reduction of medication and inhaler use Indoor fungal levels were low and did not suggest the presence of an indoor source Community perception of building improved greatly Air flow increased from less than 5 cfm/student to 15 cfm/student Energy usage was flat (climate adjusted) District established displacement ventilation as the standard HVAC Building Results 17 THE LINCOLN STUDY CONCLUSION Indoor Air Quality has a direct effect on attendance and performance. The physical environment affects the performance of both teachers and students. Temperature has a direct affect on attendance, performance, and learning. Humidity has a direct affect on attendance, performance and learning. The building does not feel like an institution and we want to send my children to this school. - West Wood Elementary and Twin Lakes Elementary Schools staff and parent comments 9

10 CASE STUDY HIGH CO2 IMPAIRS PERFORMANCE CONCLUSION Half of IAQ problems are due to insufficient ventilation 50% of schools have issues with IAQ Children are more vulnerable Maintain older equipment and replace if necessary Strive for the ASHRAE 62 Standard ASHRAE has settled the debate Modern ventilation is 2.5 times Wisconsin s code minimum IAQ has a direct effect on the learning environment. Improved IAQ improves attendance, attentiveness, and performance; and reduces absenteeism and the spread of illnesses. 10

11 THANK YOU 21 11