Introducing the Salutem ventilation smart solution with the ability to maintain carbon dioxide levels below 1000ppm in a standard Irish classroom – within the required noise level!
Building regulations and an ever-increasing emphasis on compliance mean specifying heating and ventilation systems for school buildings can present a major challenge for today’s architects and mechanical designers. In recent years new measures have meant strict new standards on energy efficiency, ventilation, indoor air quality (IAQ) and acoustic control in the education sector.
The problem
We know that oxygen is the most vital element for the human body to function correctly so naturally we know that an inadequate supply is likely to have some negative health implications. Therefore, in any indoor environment, a poor heating and ventilation system, especially one that does not supply enough oxygen, will increase the chances of occupants suffering from health-related problems. A large number of people in a confined space over a long period will lead to stale air and an excessive build-up of CO2. This can result in headaches, dizziness, aggression, feelings of lethargy, nausea and a drop in concentration levels. In a school environment, these symptoms can have a devastating effect on the pupil and teacher performance and contribute to higher levels of sickness or absenteeism.
Children spend a significant part of their day inside school buildings and in particular, often in densely-populated classrooms. A fresh, healthy supply of air is essential to help them remain alert and perform to the best of their ability. Installing an effective ventilation system in a building is a fundamental way to reduce carbon dioxide levels, and to remove harmful indoor pollutants to ensure the most productive indoor environment.
The Government’s commitment to education reform means significant opportunities for those serving the sector. However, we must ensure resources are focused on tackling the most important priorities. One such priority is investment in energy-efficient heating and ventilation systems that not only improve educational experience but also help to tackle the sizeable contribution schools make to public sector carbon emissions.
Ventilation solutions
Ventilation in school buildings is addressed in Part F – Ventilation of the Building Regulations, with additional support and guidance available to system designers in Technical Guidance Document TGD-030. While opening a window to increase ventilation may seem like an obvious option, in practice it is rarely the best one, especially if done in isolation to the performance of the overall system. Noise control is also a consideration. During the heating season, heat will escape through the open window resulting in energy loss and there will be an increased security risk. This also exposes children to air pollutants, which can be particularly damaging to their health. Poor ventilation results in high humidity and condensation, which encourages the growth of mould and dust mites, one of the key triggers for asthma.
In most cases, the capital and lifetime costs of air conditioning systems make them an unlikely specification for education establishments. Schools require a ventilation system that will regulate air quality and react automatically to provide more fresh air whenever a room needs it. Such a system must be able to respond quickly enough to deal with a constantly changing indoor climate. For example, throughout the day CO2 levels will rise and fall depending on pupil numbers, time spent in the room and the type of activity taking place.
Versatile’s Salutem ventilation solution delivers best in class ventilation
Salutem ventilation – embracing its Latin meaning of safety, healthfulness and balance, is a complete packaged ventilation solution that can be installed directly in a classroom. This smart solution has the ability to maintain carbon dioxide levels below 1000ppm in a standard Irish classroom – within the required noise level.
Salutem extracts stale and polluted room air and replaces it with filtered outdoor air, with the heat in the extracted air being recovered by a thermal wheel heat recovery device of up to efficiency.
Benefits include:
- Simple installation
- Minimal dump work
- Economical control functions
- Supply and extract onto one exterior wall
- Optimal operating economy
- Integrated displacement ventilation
- Quiet
Register for Versatile’s CIBSE & RIBA accredited CPD Webinar “Ventilation in Schools” to explore the Salutem and alternative school ventilation solutions.
For additional information or assistance in the specification of effective ventilation in schools/universities/colleges, please contact our HVAC Specialists at 046.902.9444 or email sales@versatile.ie.
