DOCUMENT RESUME ED 472 741 EF 006 208 AUTHOR Berry, Michael A. Managing School Environments. TITLE. 2001-00-00 PUB DATE 15p. NOTE AVAILABLE FROM For full text: http://www.drmaberry.com/school_environments.htm. Guides Non-Classroom (055) PUB TYPE EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE Building Operation; Hazardous Materials; *Physical DESCRIPTORS Environment; *School Buildings; School Maintenance *Environmental Management IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT Asserting that successfully managing a school environment is a necessary and essential educational investment, this paper details common problems with school environments and how to address them. These include environmental awareness training, moisture and water management, effective ventilation, mold removal, and cleaning and restoration effectiveness. The paper also discusses components of an environmental management process for continuous improvement in a school environment, including appointing an indoor environmental quality (IEQ) coordinator, identifying priority projects, identifying and using IEQ consultants as necessary, and management review. (Contains a list of 23 Web site resources.) (EV) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND Office of Educational Research and Improvement DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION BEEN GRANTED BY CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization Michael Berry originating it. ,--t Minor changes have been made to '4' improve reproduction quality. r", TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES C1 Points of view or opinions stated in this INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) r- document do not necessarily represent 1 "4' official OERI position or policy. a) 44 Managing School Environments By Michael A. Berry University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he Dr. Michael A. Berry is a Research Professor at the environments, and environmental management teaches and writes on business and environment, built in the area of school environments. Dr. Berry retired from the systems. His is currently focusing his research and scientist he served as the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1998 where as a senior manager Assessment at Research Triangle Park, NC. Between Deputy Director of National Center for Environmental Visit his website www.DrMABerrv.com 1985 and 1994 he served as EPA's manager for indoor air research. or contact him at DrivIABerrvaaoLcom. of enhancing the learning Schools are special environments that exist for the purpose that house sensitive segments of the population. In process. They are built environments providing for the educational needs of the United States there are about 120,000 schools, receive about 20% of their approximately 54 million students. On average; students environmental exposure in schools. enhance the learning process has been The importance of a healthy school environment to facilities throughout the United demonstrated in many studies; however, many school environmental problems. Even though schools States, estimated at more than 50%, have provide public debate and discussion, more effort is needed to are the focus of constant "healthy" school facilities. and essential educational Successfully managing a school environment is a necessary quality of schools and educational investment. There is a clear link between environmental performance: in schools Management systems determine environmental quality attitudes of students, teachers and The quality of the school environment shapes staff Attitudes affect teaching and learning behavior Behavior affects performance of individuals and society as Educational performance determines future outcomes a whole maintenance and restoration, when consistently Previous studies have shown that cleaning, measurable environmental improvements. implemented, are cost effective and can lead to study, "The Total Building Cleaning Effectiveness For example, an EPA sponsored Full text available at: http://www.drmaberry.com/ schoolenvironments.htm 2 BEST COPY AVADI ABLE professional cleaning Study," (attached) conducted by RTI in collaboration with the reductions in industry, clearly demonstrated that an organized EMS program contributes to of 50- particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and biological pollutants in excess 90%. of taking whatever steps The primary environmental policy of every school should be that is a healthy By definition, this are necessary to create a "sense of well-being." well-being." environment. " Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social Healthy schools have some obvious traits. opportunity to spread out, The school seeks and provides adequate space and an communicate, think, and interact. The outside appearance of the school is inviting. natural lighting The school is designed for good lighting. The school has adequate that enhances productivity. The school strives for student friendly conditions. teachers. The school wants an environment that is inviting to good The school strives to send a caring message and reduce stress. The school wants occupant comfort, consistent climate/temperature. The school wants a clean and sanitary environment. and parking. The school works at providing ever-challenging traffic control additional strain is placed on the students A school environment should be one in which no learn. Student and teacher comfort and teachers other than that needed to help the students If students are environment. is probably the most important aspect of any school comfortable is a combination of comfortable, then learning becomes much easier. Being several different factors. it is where students and teachers First of all is the classroom. It is most important because takes place. The following is a list spend most of their time and where the learning process learn. of criteria that will help make the classroom a better place to front of the classroom Lighting in classrooms should focus on the chalkboard or and over the student's desks. A temperature of 68-72 degrees should be Temperature is also important. maintained year round. noise levels down. Walls of the classrooms should be insulated to keep students so that the number of Schools should also be designed to accommodate of students per classroom will students does not exceed 20. A lower density increase teacher/student interaction. 2 environments. Sanitation The cleanliness of schools is also an important aspect of school of the spread of illness, but also is very important. Clean schools not only lower the threat students. The design of schools is a very important factor convey a caring message to the and leak is essential. when dealing with sanitation. Building roofs that will not hold water High humidity also creates Water in classrooms leads to mold, which can cause allergies. all kinds of bacteria, which can spread diseases. Indoor air an environment favorable to designed with good ventilation to quality is also and important factor. Schools must be Odors can also be distractions to keep particulate matter, such as dust, out of the air. Upkeep and maintenance of students, but can be taken care of with good ventilation. clean classes and sitting in clean schools is very important. Students feel better going to desks. Students interaction in mind. Classrooms should be designed with communication and the instructor and with each other. should be able to easily see and communicate with Computers in classrooms are very important. Technology also aids in communication. exchanged with ease; and students can Tools such as the Internet allow information to be available. learn through virtual classrooms when no teacher is We find the student feels safe. A school environment should be one in which every and monitoring devices promotion of safety by the increased installation of cameras local law enforcement agencies to throughout the school. Many schools today work with of police in schools gives students a sense of put police officers in schools. The presence safety and security. environment operate more efficiently. Many things can be done to help the school how the buildings operate and Training programs should be in place for the workers on also be pay incentives for teachers if how to do their jobs more efficiently. There should certain goals are met and higher pay in general. should be located close to large The location of schools is also very important. Schools transportation time down and maximize time spent in the areas of population to keep that are visibly pleasing to the students. classroom. Schools should also be located in areas of the school for students. Schools should Trees and greenery help to enhance the image This will further encourage students, pride. also try and create a sense of tradition and teachers and staff. all schools face. These include numerous There are many environmental requirements that and numerous state and federal fire safety codes, provisions for handicap occupants, school environment environmental statutes. However, the driving force behind managing a 3 4 It is the local community's expectation of a healthy school environment, is not regulatory. free of biopollutants and other detrimental health effects. Most school environment problems center on the need for environmental awareness training, moisture and water management, effective ventilation, mold removal and cleaning and restoration effectiveness. If these problems remain uncorrected, complaints can be If the expected to intensify, and the school will incur additional remediation costs. "immediate challenges" are not corrected, they will interfere with the educational process and end up costing the community excessive sums of tax dollars in the long run. Understanding School Building Dynamics There needs to be widespread awareness of how the school building functions. The lack of creating poor environmental conditions inside the majority of school awareness is buildings. A training process should start to inform students, faculty and general personnel about some technical issues behind the perception of school environment. For example, role the building as a shelter-designed to keep the outside environment out, the nature and of HVAC systems and the effect that negative and positive pressure has on indoor pollution levels. Prevent Moisture Intrusions Moisture in schools is the main cause of structural damage and health risks. In order to effectively keep water from leaking into a building, the roof must be future costs structurally sound and in good repair. All leaks must be repaired. To mitigate This and leaks, a simple low gradient structure above the current roof should be installed. will channel water off the roof. building. The Drainage systems must work. Drainage systems must divert water from the and schools immediately assess the drainage system, improve current drainage system guttering maintenance of drains and install a drain system for the buildings as well as where they currently do not exist but are necessary. Repair Mechanical and Ventilation Systems of outside air. The HVAC aids in the regulation of moisture mitigation and the circulation maintain current HVAC schools should assess HVAC system performance and repair and systems regularly. environment. Biopollutants (primarily A ventilation system is necessary to maintain a dry organic food supply in bacteria and fungi) depend upon the availability of moisture and an higher will lead to a moisture order to survive and grow. A relative humidity of 70% or phenomenon, water must be level best suited for microbial growth. In order to prevent this 4 5 managed. A moisture problem in any indoor environment requires immediate action to be taken. In order to quickly and effectively dry out the environment, ventilation (natural and mechanical) must be utilized to create an air flow. During the summer, air conditioners Also, dehumidifiers should be brought in during may be used as a ventilation source. periods of high humidity or if the area is unresponsive to the ventilation system. Establish a Structured Mold Remediation Program If mold is not removed properly, the spores will become airborne and spread throughout for the building causing health problems. The school should establish a training program safe removal of mold spores in the building. becomes aware Concern about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing as the public including that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, allergic reactions. organic substance, Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any There are molds that can grow on wood, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem on building materials, mold mold remains undiscovered or is not addressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by spores in the indoor environment. controlling moisture indoors. magnification. Mold Molds reproduce by making spores that can usually be seen without and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a spores waft through the indoor in damp spot indoors, they begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on Prevent damage order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things on which they grow. and avoid potential health risks by to building materials and furnishings, save money, controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth. health. Molds can Many types of molds exist. All molds have the potential to affect attacks in people produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma irritants. Potential allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or clean up any existing health concerns are important reasons to prevent mold growth and to indoor mold growth. is important to prevent moisture problems in Since mold requires water to grow, it humidity. Moisture problems can have many causes, including uncontrolled buildings. changes in building construction Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to have resulted in buildings practices during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Some of these changes leading to moisture that are tightly sealed but lack adequate ventilation, potentially 5 6 buildup. Building materials, such as drywall, may not allow moisture to escape easily. Moisture problems may include roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building, and unvented combustion appliances. Delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance are also associated with moisture problems in schools and large buildings. Moisture problems in portable classrooms and other temporary structures have frequently been associated with mold problems. When mold growth occurs in buildings, some building occupants, particularly those with allergies or respiratory problems, may report adverse health problems. Remediators should avoid exposing themselves and others to mold-laden dusts as they conduct their cleanup activities. Caution should be used to prevent mold and mold spores from being dispersed throughout the air where they can be inhaled by building occupants. The key to mold control is moisture control. Solve moisture problems before they become mold problems. The following are tips to use in mold prevention: Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible. Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible. Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid). Keep heating. ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) lines and drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed. Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible. Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH), ideally 30-50%, if possible. Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled. Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours. Do not let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation. An environmental coordinator should set up a mold remediation program for the school, rather than just mold removal. Sometimes just removing a mold source can cause more damage than leaving it in the environment because movement of the source causes spores be explained to the to infect the indoor air. The process for mold remediation should custodial staff and utilized. The environmental manager should also oversee all mold remediation. 6 7 Follow this recommend checklist for mold remediation: o Investigate and evaluate moisture and mold problems o Assess size of moldy area (square feet) Consider the possibility of hidden mold o Clean up small mold problems and fix moisture problems before they become large problems Select remediation manager for medium or large size mold problem o Investigate areas associated with occupant complaints o Identify source(s) or cause of water or moisture problem(s) o o Note type of water-damaged materials (wallboard, carpet, etc.) o Check inside air ducts and air handling unit o Throughout process, consult qualified professionals, if necessary or desired Communicate with building occupants at all stages of process, as appropriate o Designate contact person for questions and comments about medium or large scale o remediation as needed o Plan remediation Adapt or modify remediation guidelines to fit your situation; use professional o judgment Plan to dry wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth Select cleanup methods for moldy items Select personal protection equipment - protect remediators o Select containment equipment - protect building occupants o Select remediation personnel who have the experience and training needed to o implement the remediation plan and use personal protection equipment and containment as appropriate Remediate moisture and mold problems o Fix moisture problem, implement repair plan and/or maintenance plan o Dry wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth o o Clean and dry moldy materials Discard moldy porous items that cannot be cleaned (Note: As moldy materials dry. they release spores. Strive to remove wet moldy materials before they dry.) Emphasize a Cleaning Effectiveness Program Cleaning is the most effective means of achieving a high level of environment quality in a school. The school should establish a cleaning training program for the custodial staff. It is inclusion of incentive programs with school promote the recommended that the empowerment focus. Develop cleaning programs that capture and remove dust and other particles rather than just push them around. Purchase new and effective cleaning equipment. One of the biggest problems that needs attention in every school is the janitorial closet. Known as the "nerve center" of the environment, this room needs to be properly maintained. Once the janitor's closet is organized, the janitorial staff needs to be taught the properly use the product for its intended purpose. purpose of each supply and trained to After this initial teaching. the janitors should maintain the closet. The importance of cleaning on the part of principals, school system managers is necessary in order to have an effective school cleaning program. There must be a source and system of motivation and accountability. One must train the leaders in the school system so that leaders they can recognize effective and ineffective cleaning procedures. Knowledgeable will result in more effective cleaning procedures. she must be The head custodian must not only be trained to clean effectively, but he or This "certification" will instructed to provide the training program for incoming staff checks on the enable the head custodian to be in a leadership position and perform regular be paid the custodial staff and their performance. The person in this position should also maximum amount available so that they will be increasingly reliable. instructing them on The custodians must be trained to clean effectively and efficiently. By techniques, etc, the building will become a much proper use of cleaning materials, proper healthier environment. effectiveness and The supplies and custodians' closets each need to be examined for their With regular inspections, the entire school building will benefit. The head cleanliness. custodian should be responsible for these inspections. With effective cleaning The best available technology and supplies should be provided. of this equipment and an effective cleaning program that emphasizes the correct use be greatly reduced. equipment, human exposure to biopollutants and microorganisms can adverse health effects Only then may an environment be created that reduces the amount of There has been serious attention while also promoting better educational performance. majority of school drawn to the type of cleaning equipment used in schools. Because a be available to clean it. environments are carpeted to some extent, proper equipment must of all dry soil with a routine cleaning It is a proven fact that vacuuming removes 90 to 95% cleaner will also allow for an schedule and an effective vacuum cleaner. A proper vacuum improved physical appearance of the carpet. in order to reduce long-term costs When choosing a vacuum cleaner, look for durability Air filtration is superior product. associated with maintenance or replacement of a less A vacuum with high airflow is another important consideration when choosing a vacuum. particulates are allowed to pass directly through the most effective, but if dust and other 8 9 irrelevant to the removal of particles. Instead of being vacuum, then high air flow becomes become air borne, placing them right extracted from the environment, these particles then disposable bags. To ensure a clean back into the environment. Effective vacuums utilize the most efficient system for environment, replacing the bag before it becomes achieves should offer adjustable, rotating brushes soil removal. Along with good airflow, a vacuum that allow for better soil removal. quality will be obtained with a vacuum The assurance of effective cleaning and good air that meet the conditions previously bearing an IAQ "Green- Label. A list of vacuums stated may be obtained from the CRI website. include the following: A cleaning effectiveness program should Doormats as particles barriers cleaners) High efficacy extraction cleaning equipment (vacuum Hot water extraction of carpet Damp mopping of surfaces Reduced VOC emissions of Products continuous improvement in a school An environmental management process for environment should include the following: Appoint an IEQ coordinator should be created within the school system. The position of Environmental Coordinator of these duties would fall into the Though there would be many duties included, some This manager would be responsible for realm of assuring cleaning effectiveness. problems, auditing and reporting organizing the EM program, identifying and correcting of training of the staff, while also providing the major source on conditions and in the system would make each accountability. Scheduled audits on the school buildings individual custodian feel more individual responsibility. Identify priority projects Keep the environment clean and correct drainage Keep water out of the building: repair the roofs the HVAC system Keep the indoor environment dry: repair and balance Respond professionally to water damage situations and remove any mold Water damage remediation: repair water damage Identify and use IEQ consultants as necessary Mechanical engineer Industrial hygienists Roof specialist