Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program Newsletter #55 July 05, 2013 Spend Summer Break Protecting IAQ in Schools with Walkthroughs


Connector E-Newsletter#55: Spend Summer Break Protecting IAQ in Schools with Walkthroughs
July 05,2013
-W ___
SEPA

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
IN THIS ISSUE:
~	How to Conduct a School Walkthrough: Resources to Help You Get Started
~	Five Easy Tips for Shutting Down for the Summer while Keeping IAQ a Top Priority
~	News and Events
~	Get Answers to Your Questions
HOW TO CONDUCT A SCHOOL WALKTHROUGH:
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GET STARTED
Conducting a walkthrough can
provide vital information about
the health and safety of a school
and is a central component
in establishing an effective
school indoor air quality (IAQ)
management program. The
walkthrough involves examining
and noting observations about
the school inside and out,
taking key measurements and
communicating with building
occupants. By collecting basic
data about the conditions
inside a building, such as carbon dioxide levels, temperature
and relative humidity, facility managers can evaluate how
effectively the building is functioning.
School Walkthrough Resources
• Watch the Virtual School Walkthrough webinar, with IAQ
expert speakers David Biake at the Northwest Clean Air
Agency and Richard Prill at Washington State University.
This video provides instructions on how to conduct a
school IAQ walkthrough, as well as diagrams and photos
from completed school walkthroughs. It explains how to
identify, diagnose and solve common IAQ issues.
Check out EPA's video of a school walkthrough to gain
insight on the basic components of assessing a school
building.
Wftlhilwotrg*) iMfttcifCMt Checklist
Test Your IAQ Management
Knowledge...
1. When conducting a school
walkthrough, the IAQ team should
check:
A.	That temperature and humidity are
maintained within acceptable ranges.
B.	For birds and animal nests in the attic.
C.	For signs of mold or mildew on walls
and ceilings.
D.	That dumpsters are located away from
doors, windows and outdoor air intakes.
E.	All of the above.
Get the answer by reviewing the
Walkthrough Checklist!
Do you have other questions on IAQ
management? Post them on the Schools
IAQ Connector Email Discussion List.
Join today by sending a blank email
message to schools_iaq_connector-
subscribe@lists.epa.gov. Check
your email inbox for confirmation and
membership details.

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Know what you're looking for! Read through the list of
common sources to IAQ problems to understand what
factors can cause IAQ problems in schools.
Reach out to mentors and award-winning school district
staff that have implemented comprehensive walkthroughs
as part of their proactive IAQ management programs. Find
an IAQ champion near you.
Before you begin your walkthrough, read EPA's
Background Information for the Walkthrough Inspection
Checklist in the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit. Next,
download the printable checklist and use it to help you
conduct your school walkthrough.
Access Previous Connector
E-Newsletters Online
Can't find a previous IAQ Tools for
Schools Connector e-newsletter in your
inbox? No problem! Visit the e-newsletter
archive on the IAQ Tools for Schools
website to access printable versions
(PDFs) of all past editions.
FIVE EASY TIPS FOR SHUTTING DOWN FOR THE SUMMER WHILE KEEPING IAQ A
TOP PRIORITY
The summer months are the perfect time for school districts to start or maintain an IAQ management program.
The near-empty school buildings are primed for school walkthroughs, routine and preventive maintenance, and
taking action to reduce energy usage. The five tips below are simple steps that you can take to ensure that
students and staff come back to a safe and healthy school in the fall.
1. Adjust HVAC systems for partial loading conditions to allow for maximum dehumidification and reduced
energy needs during unoccupied periods in the hot and humid season. Use data loggers or humidistats to
monitor space conditions.
2. Maintain a relative humidity level under 60 percent and allow room spaces to stay within 80-85°F to reduce
energy waste and prevent mold and moisture issues.
3. Ensure cleaned carpets are thoroughly dried to prevent mold growth in the hot and humid months (Wet
Carpeting + No Ventilation = MOLD). If there are mold issues, follow EPA's guidelines for mold remediation
in schools.
4. Start developing or revitalize your IAQ management plan based on the Key Drivers and Technical Solutions
in the Framework for Effective School IAQ Management.
5. Conduct walkthroughs of your school buildings to identify and prioritize any IAQ issues. Use the checklists
in the IAQ Tools for Schools Aciton Kit to learn what to look for regarding ventilation, waste management,
renovations and repairs, and many other areas.
NEWS AND EVENTS
• National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), Annual Educational Conference and Exhibition,
will be held July 9-11, 2013, in Washington, DC. The conference brings together environmental health
professionals to acquire practical and real-world information and expertise. Get more information on the NEHA
conference.
• Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments Webinar Series: EPA's Office of Children's Health
webinar series will outline sensible, low- or no-cost steps that school communities can take to create healthier
environments in their buildings. Check out the webinar schedule.
• Save the Date! EPA Webinar on Mold and Moisture Control in Schools: Potential Health Effects and
Safe Clean-Up Practices. This webinar will take place on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, from 1 - 2:15 p.m.
Learn more about this webinar and register today!

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• Congratulations to the 2013 Green Ribbon Schools Honorees! Learn more about the Green Ribbon
awards, see the full list of honorees, and consider applying in 2014!
• Environmental Law Institute's (ELI) New School Policy Resource Tool. The online resource tool provides
summaries of state laws and regulations on several important school environmental health topics including—
mold, radon, carbon monoxide, vehicle idling, green cleaning, IAQ and renovations, and IAQ management.
• EPA Solicits School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Grant Proposals for 2013. EPA's Office of
Pesticide Programs is soliciting proposals for new School IPM assistance agreements for projects that further
the implementation of verifiable IPM in and around the nation's public and tribal schools. Applications must be
submitted on or before July 29, 2013. For more information regarding the School IPM Grants and the Request
for Proposals, visit: http://epa.gov/pesp/grants/proposals/2013-school-ipm-rfp-0614.pdf.
GET ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Is there a topic you want to see covered in an IAQ Tools for Schools Connector e-newsletter? Do you have
suggestions for a webinar or e-newsletter feature, or do you have questions about a specific IAQ topic? If
so, send us an email at IAQTfSConnector@cadmusgroup.com.
Share YOUR news and events! Send us information to share with the school IAQ community. It could
be featured in the next Connector e-newsletter. Email your news and events to IAQTfSConnector@
cadmusgroup.com.
The IAQ Tools for Schools guidance is a comprehensive resource designed to help schools maintain a
healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn
more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

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