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Getting Started with IAQ and How to Perform a Walkthrough

Getting Started with IAQ and How to Perform a Walkthrough. Prevention of IAQ Problems Requires a Team Effort. IAQ Tools for Schools Key Features. Low Cost / No Cost Adaptable to Individual School Needs No Specialized Training Required Voluntary Common Sense Approach.

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Getting Started with IAQ and How to Perform a Walkthrough

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  1. Getting Started with IAQandHow to Perform a Walkthrough

  2. Prevention of IAQ Problems Requires a Team Effort

  3. IAQ Tools for Schools Key Features • Low Cost / No Cost • Adaptable to Individual School Needs • No Specialized Training Required • Voluntary • Common Sense Approach

  4. How to Get Started EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit provides flexible guidance • IAQ Coordinator’s Guide • IAQ Backgrounder • Checklists for key staff • Videos (Intro, Ventilation Basics, Walkthrough) • Problem solving wheel

  5. Management Support • Important to have support before beginning • May require briefing of school board or school officials • School facility support is important • The policy must assign duties and • responsibilities

  6. Implementing an IAQ Management Plan • Establish an IAQ Team/Identify an IAQ Coordinator • IAQ checklists distributed and returned (e.g., facilities staff, teacher, school nurse) • Complete a walkthrough of the school • Establish IAQ Management Plan that identifies major issues and priorities and sets repair schedule

  7. Goals of the IAQManagement Plan • Fix any existing IAQ problems. • Instill an IAQ awareness that leads to preventive actions. • Resolve future IAQ complaints and incidents as they occur.

  8. Role of IAQ Coordinator • Disseminates IAQ information • Creates and coordinates IAQ Team • Implements IAQ management plan • Coordinates IAQ activities • Communicates to all constituents • Facilitates resolution of IAQ problems

  9. Review Contents • Review the contents of the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit • Doing so will give you an idea of what role each person will play

  10. Watch the Videos • Watch Walkthrough Video • Shows how to implement the Kit and the operation and maintenance for a school ventilation system • Familiarizes you with the process

  11. Skim and Review • Skim the different sections of the IAQ Coordinator’s Guide • Review the IAQ Coordinator’s forms

  12. Inform School Staff • Raise school staff’s awareness by inviting them to attend IAQ TfS meetings • Request volunteers for IAQ Team such as the school nurse, facility manager, and business official

  13. Form and Review • Form your IAQ Team and review current IAQ practices in your school • Use the Kit’s Checklist Log to list school staff and their checklists

  14. Copy and Distribute • Copy and distribute the IAQ Backgrounder and an adequate number of checklists to each person on the Checklist Log • Draft a memo to describe your IAQ program’s goals and distribute it with the checklists

  15. Collect and Inspect • Collect checklists and record data on Checklist Log • Complete a walkthroughinspection using the Walkthrough Inspection Checklist

  16. Identify and Prioritize • Use completed checklists, walkthrough notes, and Problem Solving Wheel to identify problems and prioritize

  17. Policies and Improvements • Develop school policies for animals, food, and pesticides • Fix any small IAQ problems • Develop a plan to proactively improve IAQ for the long term

  18. IAQ Success • Communicate findings with the school community • Apply for IAQ TfS Excellence Award • For more information: • www.epa.gov/iaq/schools • or Call 1-800-438-4318

  19. School IAQ Walkthrough Things to Consider

  20. The Why, Who, When, Where, What and How of Walkthroughs • Why...Do a Walkthrough? • Who...Should be Involved? • When...Is the Best Time? • Where...Do You Go? • What...Do You Need? • How...Do You Perform a Walkthrough?

  21. Why Perform a Walkthrough? • Assess the current school IAQ status • Evaluate occupant checklist concerns • Prioritize IAQ problems.

  22. Who Performs a Walkthrough? • IAQ Coordinator and Team • Facility Personnel (e.g., HVAC, Custodian) • IAQ professionals • Others? (Health department, Parents)

  23. When to Perform a Walkthrough? • What Season? Heating or Cooling Season? • Should school be in session?

  24. Where to do a Walkthrough Exterior • Grounds • Roof • Air Intakes

  25. Where to do a Walkthrough? • Interior • Classrooms and Labs • Bathrooms/Plumbing • Maintenance and Mechanical Rooms • Kitchens • Storage of pesticides • Problem Areas Identified on Checklists

  26. What do you Need for a Walkthrough? • Copy of the School’s Floor Plan • Mechanical System Drawings, Specs and Reports • Completed IAQTfS Checklist Summary • Simple IAQ Monitoring Equipment (e.g., Temperature, Relative Humidity) • Safe Access to Roof and Other Areas

  27. What do you Need for a Walkthrough? • Demonstrates how to conduct a school walkthrough and use the information found to prioritize IAQ improvements. • Helps identify most commonly found IAQ problems in schools • Gives non-technical approach for evaluating potential IAQ problems. To order, call the IAQ INFO Hotline at 1-800-438-4318

  28. How to Perform a Walkthrough Agenda for Day of Walkthrough • Pre-Walkthrough Meeting • Explain purpose of Walkthrough to principal, superintendent, and teachers • Introduce Team • Review summary checklists • Conduct Walkthrough • Conduct wrap-up meeting with group

  29. How to Perform a Walkthrough (cont’d) On Day of Walkthrough • Monitor conditions in occupied classrooms • Review ventilation system and monitoring equipment • Note indoor and outdoor conditions using sensory and monitoring results • Target checklist "Concern Areas"

  30. How to Perform a Walkthrough (cont’d) Transcribe data onto floor plan copy or table • Suggestions for note taking include: • Monitoring and sensory information • Health interview information • Time, size of area, age of location, and number of occupants

  31. Note Taking Suggestions – Floor plan Format –

  32. Note Taking Suggestions – Table Format – Potential Sources Room Time # People T RH CO2 Comments

  33. The How's…cont’d Rely on Your Team's Senses! • Observe school and mechanical system conditions • Smell for anything "unusual" • Feel air conditions (i.e., dry, drafty,etc.) • Listen to mechanical systems and occupants complaints

  34. Common Walkthrough Findings • Insufficient outdoor air for proper ventilation • Cluttered classrooms • Inaccessible mechanical systems • Carpet spills and moisture problems not addressed in timely manner • Garbage and idling buses too close to air intakes

  35. Common Walkthrough Findings • Inoperative bathroom exhausts • Spaces not meant for occupancy ( i.e., closets, vaults) • Failure to report IAQ problems • Inoperative controls for unit ventilators • Artwork covering thermostats • Plants and books on unit ventilators blocking airflow • Unlabeled cleaning supplies

  36. ALWAYS BE PROACTIVE

  37. EPA Hosts 4th Annual IAQ TfS Symposium WHO:Over 400 School Board Officials, Administrators, School Nurses, Teachers, Facility Managers, School and Health Association Members, parents and others from around the U.S. and abroad. WHAT:Experts will discuss hot issues including new school construction, asthma, mold remediation, student performance, communications, financing, and networking. WHY:EPA will build on its success with the 4th Annual Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium and will present Excellence awards to schools with exemplary indoor air quality programs.

  38. How to Register • The Symposium will take place on October 26-28, 2003 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC. • Application and registration packets are currently available on EPA’s Web site. You can register online.. The cost is $250 per attendee. • Watch EPA’s Web site www.epa.gov/iaq/schools for additional information on the Symposium and the Awards Program.

  39. IAQ TfS Awards Program • WHAT AWARDS ARE OFFERED? • IAQ TfS Great Start Award – Made a commitment the IAQ TfS Program and Kit. • IAQ TfS Leadership Award – Implemented the IAQ TfS Kit and developed an IAQ management plan. • IAQ TfS Excellence Award – Demonstrated outstanding achievement in implementation of the IAQ TfS Kit and in their communications and outreach efforts. • HOW TO APPLY: • Contact Michele Guarneiri, U.S. EPA at (202) 564-9099 to obtain criteria information, applications, and additional information.

  40. IAQ TfS Mentor Network WHAT IS THE IAQ TfS MENTOR NETWORK? A new resource that pairs experienced users of the IAQ TfS Kit with schools and school districts that are beginning to implement the Kit. WHY CREATE A MENTOR NETWORK? To give schools and school districts an opportunity to obtain assistance with developing their IAQ program. WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE MENTOR NETWORK? Participants include: School superintendents, principals, teachers, head custodians, engineers, maintenance and facilities personnel, school nurses, and faculty members.

  41. IAQ TfS Mentor Network, cont’d Benefits as a: Mentor • EPA award recognition as an IAQ TfS Mentor. • A written case study on your experiences. • The Mentor Network Kit. • Endless gratitude from schools across the country. • Shared experiences and successes with IAQ. Participant • Access to mentors to assist with IAQ issues. • The Mentor Network Kit. • A written case study on your experiences. • Shared experiences and successes with IAQ.

  42. How to Get Started • If you are: • Just starting out with the IAQ TfS Kit and need assistance; or • Have achieved some success and interested in helping others by becoming an IAQ TfS Mentor Contact Kara Miller, U.S. EPA at (202) 564-9775 or miller.kara@epa.gov for more information on how to join.

  43. IAQ TfS Mentor of the Year Award • The award will recognize an individual for assisting schools with their IAQ TfS programs at the school or school district level. • EPA will prepare a case study and press release on the award recipient; prepare a press kit to highlight the award winner’s accomplishments involving the IAQ TfS Program and Mentor Network in their hometown; and be featured on EPA’s IAQ TfS Web site. • HOW TO APPLY: Contact Kara Miller, U.S. EPA at (202) 564-9775 or miller.kara@epa.gov for more information on how to apply.

  44. IAQ INFO Hotline (To Order A Kit):1-800-438-4318 IAQ TfS Technical Hotline:1-866-837-3721 EPA Headquarters: Michele Guarneiri Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460 (202) 564-9099 guarneiri.michele@epa.gov IAQ Web Site:www.epa.gov/iaq/schools

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