Checking air quality in schools
Checking air quality in schools has become more important in recent years due to the spread of COVID-19. Air change rate or air changes per hour (ACH) is an important parameter to measure to ensure adequate ventilation in school classrooms. In addition to this, particulate matter is of importance as well as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, temperature and relative humidity levels.
There are recommended air change rates for different types of occupied spaces, including school classrooms. Adequate ventilation can minimise the spread of many airborne viruses between teachers and students to ensure a healthy environment suitable for learning.
Checking air quality in schools
Continuous monitoring and checking of air quality parameters in a school classroom
It is also important that adequate temperature and relative humidity levels are set in classrooms to ensure comfort as well as adhering to Workcover guidelines.
Particulate matter is an important parameter when checking air quality as it is used to measure particulates less than 10 microns in diameter that can be detrimental to health, and it provides an indication of filtration effectiveness or lack thereof. Carbon monoxide is measured to provide an indication of outside air infiltration into classrooms that can be detrimental to health.
Volatile organic compounds may need to be measured if the school has been newly built or renovated to ensure off gassing does not impact the health of teachers and students.
Carbon dioxide is an important measure and can be used as a standalone parameter to gain insight into the fresh air supply in classrooms or as a method to calculate air changes in the classrooms.
Professional air quality testing can assist you to maintain your indoor environment. Enviro Corp implements a cost-effective solution to calculate the air change rate (ACH), particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, temperature and relative humidity in classrooms to give an indication of the air quality in your classroom. A snapshot of the school can be undertaken, or the entire school. For an obligation free proposal, please contact us today.