COVID-19 and Schools
LED manufacturing and distribution solutions provider Energy Harness recently released a new product to help schools combat COVID-19.
Clean Air
During the COVID-19 pandemic, air purifiers are growing in popularity as a method of cleansing interior spaces of the airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, a new study from Colorado State University has revealed some of the unintended consequences of some of these devices.
Indoor Air Quality
The Manteca Unified School District in Manteca, Calif., has installed 1,500 Carrier OptiClean Dual-Mode Air Scrubber & Negative Air Machines across 30 schools in preparation to fully reopen. The product, which was named one of TIME’s 100 Best Inventions of 2020, will help improve the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) for the more than 27,000 returning MUSD students, faculty, and staff.
COVID-19 and Schools
Michigan State University has partnered with pathogen control technology vendor UV Angel to install UV Angel Clean Air units around the MSU campus. They have already been added to busy areas like the Olin Health Center and Wonders Hall, and they’re scheduled for installation soon in campus athletic facilities. The goal is to foster cleaner, safer environments for students and faculty as they return to campus during (and after) the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 and Schools
A study in two South Korean high schools found that window ventilation reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection by 55%, while the use of an air purifier shrank the risk by 50%. The combination of the two dropped the risk by nearly three-quarters (73%). Researchers from the Infrastructure Safety department at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) said the use of the air-purifying device worked best when it was placed in the middle of the room, which was sized to hold about 25 students.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/08/21
Podcast
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- 02/08/21
COVID-19 and Schools
A school district near Denver, CO where students have returned to in-person instruction has deployed a technology in its classrooms and common areas with the aim of killing viruses in the air and on surfaces. The deployment was funded by a Safe Schools Reopening Grant, a one-time, $15 million program offered through the Colorado Department of Education in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Podcast
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 01/15/21
Healthy Schools
MeTEOR Education, a company that offers turn-key services for space design, announced it is making medical and industrial-grade Continuous Air & Surface Pathogen Reduction (CASPR) technology available for schools. The technology has been used in hospitals and medical centers for some time but it is now available to schools.
The FreshAir1 Smoking Detection System is capable of monitoring up to 500 square feet and is suited for educational facilities to enforce no-smoking policies.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 11/09/20
HVAC
A building’s HVAC technology can help decrease the transmission rate or mitigate the risk of exposure. Thus, schools must consider their HVAC system as part of their overall COVID-19 mitigation strategy, in addition to social distancing, cleaning, screening, signage and operational practices.
As part of a phased ramp-up in its return to full operations, Northwestern University Athletics and Recreation has installed filtration systems in the locker and weight rooms and other high-traffic spaces in its athletic facilities.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 09/21/20
HVAC
AI can change its instructions to your HVAC equipment based on the number of students in a room, the time of day, changes in weather throughout the day, and more, all while ensuring a comfortable environment for your building occupants.
HVAC
A Florida company with an office in Purdue Research Park has introduced a technology it said would help schools reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/12/20
Building Blueprints
Reopening
As colleges and universities make plans to reopen facilities in the fall, higher ed decision makers must consider a variety of issues while COVID-19 continues to spread in communities across the country. A facility services expert shares strategies and protocols used to ensure a healthy environment for students, faculty and staff.
- By Yvonne Marquez
- 06/17/20
K-12 school environments can cause illness and injuries. What schools must do to prevent these problems.
- By Michael Fickes
- 06/01/19
Ensuring healthy air in your campus facilities contributes to the well being of your students and staff. Here’s how to breathe easy.
- By Angie Stutsman
- 05/01/19
Impact On Learning
Facilities (Learning Spaces)
Expecting children to learn in poorly ventilated classrooms is like requiring them to read blurry textbooks.
- By Andrew LaRowe, Mike Raible
- 01/01/19
Facilities (Campus Spaces)
The EPA says improving indoor air quality can improve the performance of students and faculty
- By Michael Fickes
- 01/01/19
Facilities (Learning Spaces)
The EPA says improving indoor air quality can improve the performance of students and teachers.
- By Michael Fickes
- 01/01/19
Allergen triggers often exceed safe thresholds in school buildings. The first commercial vacuum certified asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America can help reduce exposure.
School air quality issues can affect absenteeism and student test scores. Rigorous cleaning using machines certified with the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Gold Seal of Approval can help.