The Latest in Air Filtration for Schools

BY BOB JACKSON, PRESIDENT, NORSPEC FILTRATION LTD., NAFA CERTIFIED AIR FILTER SPECIALIST

In Canada, 5.7 million school children and close to one million teachers, administrators and others walk into 15,000 school buildings every day—and at least 50 per cent of these schools have been diagnosed with indoor air quality problems.

Indoor air quality problems can be caused by a wide range of factors including indoor sources of contaminants such as building materials, furnishings, cleaning agents, printing and copying devices, combustion appliances, allergens, fungi, moulds, bacteria, viruses, radon, and lead. Tighter buildings combined with reduced ventilation can also reduce IAQ and affect the health and well-being of school occupants.

In addition to contributing to health problems, poor air quality can be costly for schools due to the potential for expensive investigation and hasty solutions during a major indoor air problem; higher heating and cooling costs; damage to the physical building structure and mechanical equipment; and higher liability. Thus, the proper maintenance of indoor air is more than a "quality" issue; it encompasses safety and stewardship of the investment in students, staff and facilities.

The promotion of good indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is particularly important, since poor IAQ can potentially affect the health of students and staff, as well as the educational process and costs. Good IAQ contributes to a favourable learning environment for students, productivity for teachers and staff, and a sense of comfort, health, and wellbeing for all school occupants. These combine to assist a school in its core mission—educating children.

PARTICULATE IN THE AIR

In the past, many schools used lowefficiency (MERV 1-4) filters that removed minimal levels of all particulate matter. These filters did little at capturing the particulate matter that existed in the school air system. Schools represent a much denser population percentage than typical commercial buildings. Viable and non-viable particulates are brought in on people’s clothing and through open doors and windows — add to this the activity level of most young people, which increases the shedding of skin cells and other particulates, and this makes school air some of the dirtiest air in any environment.

Recent developments from within the air filtration industry are helping schools address their indoor air quality issues. Air filter manufacturers now offer a full range of high-efficiency HVAC products

Air Filtration Specialists

4704 - 91st Avenue Edmonton, AB T6B 2L1 Tel: 780-468-9296 Fax: 780-468-5806

with MERV 11 and higher ratings. Upgrading to MERV 11 high-efficiency filters can help improve your overall IAQ by reducing small and large particulate emission through outside-air exhausts, reducing indoor airborne irritants, and helping reducing microbial growth. MERV 11 filters provide over 85 per cent in the 3.0 to 10.0 micron range, and are 300 per cent more efficient than standard throwaway filters.

According to the Lung Association of Canada, the reduction of particulate matter in the air system has been shown to reduce the incidence of asthma related illness.

In summary, by upgrading filters to high-efficiency (MERV 11 or better) filters, you can help improve IAQ in schools. In addition, the higher efficiency filters will also keep the HVAC ductwork clean while operating the heating and cooling coils at peak energy efficiency.

With these problems come tremendous opportunities for collaboration of schools with NAFA’s Certified Air Filter Specialists (CAFS). NAFA members across the world have stepped forward to help local schools provide better air filtration and cleaner environments for their students. For more information about selection or recommendations of air filtration for school boards, please contact any NAFA Certified Air Filtration Specialist.

TOTAL OFFICE SOLUTIONS

We Provide:

• Ergonomic chairs • Executive seating • Alternative seating • Ergonomic office accessories • Anti-fatigue and entry way matting • Office furniture, workstations, height adjustable tables and more...

www.chairlines.com

604.736.7623

Open Saturdays

2031 West 4th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. #4 - 20043 92 A Ave. Langley, B.C.

(Langley by appointment only) Traditional buckets are a pain in the back. e aetsarraditionalbuckT pain Get the ettheG ergonomic divided bucket gonomic diver ided from Atlas Graham. tlasGraham.omAfr

Learn more by visiting our booth at the othoy visiting our be bbyearn morreL h at the SPOSA conference and request the new equestteandrreenconferreSPOSAc thenewequest te and rSPOSA c the new Atlas Graham Cleaning Gear Catalogue. aear Caham Cleaning Gtlas GrraA gutalo