Indoor Environment Quality
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Indoor Air Quality
» Pollutant Source Control
Indoor Environment Quality
One important way of improving indoor air quality is to control unavoidable sources of pollution. These include areas such as those occupied by photocopy machines, printers, housekeeping equipment, chemical mixing areas, etc. as well as sources of dust, and HVAC systems. Schools can be designed to minimize cross-contamination of regularly occupied areas by chemical pollutants in a number of ways. For example, where chemical use occurs, use structural deck-to-deck partitions with separate outside exhausting, no air recirculation, and negative pressure.
It is also important to ventilate cooking areas and chemical mixing areas with low-noise, vented range hoods. Particle arrestance filtration rated at greater than 65% in all mechanical ventilation systems will further help to reduce indoor air contaminants.
Materials used during operation of the building (e.g. Pens, paints, and air fresheners) can have a large impact on indoor environmental quality. Where possible, use non-toxic, odorless alternatives. For paints and other art supplies or chemicals in labs, have a designated area that is ventilated separately from the regularly occupied area.
Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
http://www.chps.net/manual/index.htm#vol2
(Best Practices Manual Volume 2, Introduction to Guidelines Section, Goals and Cross-cutting Issues, Health and Indoor Air Quality) CHPS aims to facilitate the design of high performance schools in California - environments that are not only resource efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit and contain the amenities needed for a quality education. CHPS has developed a set of Best Practices Manuals (available at www.CHPS.net) to create a new generation of high performance school facilities in California.
National Safety Council (NSC) - Indoor Air Quality section
http://www.nsc.org/ehc/indoor/iaq.htm
The NSC's indoor air program consists of educational resources available to help improve indoor air quality in a school. Their mission is "to educate and influence society to adopt safety, health and environmental policies, practices and procedures that prevent and mitigate human suffering and economic losses arising from preventable causes."
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