CR3 News Magazine 2020 VOL 4: September Radon, Schools & Home Study | Page 39

Clean Air in the Classroom These resources can help kickstart an HVAC maintenance plan as part of a larger IAQ program: � Healthy, reliable, efficient buildings: Learn about the value of IAQ preventive maintenance, and how focusing on IAQ management in preventive maintenance activities will help ensure healthy indoor environments in schools, in the IAQ Tools for Schools Preventive Maintenance guidance. Make the case about preventive maintenance to your school administration by defining your program goals, creating a value proposition to secure buy-in, and gaining support by describing the return on investment (ROI) of preventive maintenance, including HVAC maintenance. � Ventilation design and upgrades: The IAQ Design Tools for Schools guidance has a chapter on proper ventilation design, operation and maintenance in schools. Even if you are not building a new ventilation system, this resourcee can still help you understand your system and how each component plays a critical role. Also, when renovating your HVAC system to perform energy efficiency upgrades, use the Energy Savings Plus Health guidance to identify how to make renovations while preserving healthy environments. � Provide quality HVAC: One of the key components of an effective IAQ management program is a plan for routine HVAC maintenance. Well-maintained HVAC systems mean your facilities have better air circulation and odor control and reduced levels of pollutants, all while helping your school save money from unexpected repairs. Use the ventilation checklists and the ventilation checklist background information sheet to guide your inspection of ventilation systems. � Expand your knowledge: Find on-demand webinars about ventilation management within the IAQ Master Class and the IAQ Knowledge-to-Action Professional Training Webinar Series. Learn about: the importance of optimal HVAC design, operation and maintenance in providing clean and healthy air in schools in the webinar Fresh Air; how to improve performance of HVAC systems using predictive, preventive and planned IAQ maintenance in the webinar Clean Air in the Classroom; and proven strategies used by successful school districts to garner broad stakeholder support for implementing preventive maintenance plans for optimal ventilation in the webinar Better Together. Coronavirus-Specific Resources Use the following additional resources when considering ventilation practices related to coronavirus: � Indoor Air and COVID-19: EPA has a new website and a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about indoor air and coronavirus, including information about ventilation and HVAC systems. � ASHRAE preparedness resources: ASHRAE (formerly known as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) has put out guidance and resources on ventilation, filtration, and HVAC maintenance in relation to coronavirus on their website. � CDC offers Considerations for Schools for ways in which schools can help protect students, teachers, administrators, and staff and slow the spread of COVID-19. Questions? EPA offers free IAQ Tools for Schools resources—including the School IAQ Assessment Mobile App—to help schools maintain a healthy indoor environment by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools. If you have any questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact the IAQ Tools for Schools Connector Coordinator at [email protected].