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Response to COVID-19 - Ventilation

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Introduction

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Response to COVID

What did we learn?

  • Guidance was fluid and at times confusing
  • Ventilation became a higher-priority as concerns about airborne transmission grew
  • Organizations like the Center for Disease Control looked to industry experts, ASHRAE first among them

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Response to COVID

Our Roadmap or Process

  • Look at ventilation and the link to learning, health, safety, and comfort
  • Complete a facilities condition assessment
  • Take some sample Carbon Dioxide samples during occupied times

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Response to COVID

Action

  • Use data to prioritize projects and initiatives
  • Compare performance to benchmarks and standards
  • Make better, more informed decisions

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Facilities

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Facilities and Learning

Is Facility Condition and Performance a Factor for Student Achievement?

  • What can we learn from studies?
  • What do we think we know from our own experiences?
  • Should educators consider facility condition and performance in a post-pandemic world?

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Facilities Condition Assessment

What is the current state?

  • Look at individual components and systems alike
  • Ventilations system performance will be impacted by electrical capacity/service, the building shell – water penetration and mold for instance, etc. – it is part of a system
  • Does your assessment match what you’re finding with CO2 testing

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Benchmarking

Estimate Deferred Maintenance

  • Use industry information and standards to guide planning and budgeting
  • Recognize and address that like many schools, you may be behind
  • Look at practical and realistic proposals for addressing deferred maintenance

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Ventilation

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Ventilation and Filtration

Basics

  • Dilution
  • Extraction
  • Air Balance

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Measuring Carbon Dioxide

Rationale

  • Cost effective
  • Relatively easy to execute
  • Not a contaminant of concern
  • Can offer guidance as to how well systems are performing

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Measuring Carbon Dioxide

Method

  • Measure during the entire occupied cycle
  • Ensure measurements are not tampered with
  • Test control/ambient air as well as classroom spaces and common areas

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Measuring Carbon Dioxide

Data Analysis

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CO2 (PPM)

Concentration

2500 PPM

7 Hour Decay

CO2 Ambient

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Recommendations

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Recommendations

Evaluate Current Conditions

  • Take Stock of Facilities Conditions and Performance
  • Ask questions, look for data to inform planning

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Recommendations

Prioritize

  • Examine results and prioritize for the short-term versus the long-term
  • Let what you learn inform plans
  • Focus on so called, “low-hanging fruit”

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Recommendations

Final Thoughts

  • Consider lower-cost options for filtration like room air purifiers, higher grade filters, and sealing filter frames
  • Examine exhaust fan performance
  • Use what you’ve learned to make stronger arguments for limited capital budgets