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Marshall Fire Environmental Quality Information

BVSD is concerned about both the mental and physical health and well-being of our students and staff following the Marshall Fire. Providing a safe environment that is free of hazards at concentrations of concern is as important to BVSD as it is to our families and staff.

Environmental Quality Update | April 14, 2022

Air Quality

Air monitors have been installed on the eight schools affected by the fire and at other locations in the community. The monitors have been installed by Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) on BVSD buildings. The instruments monitor the level of ultrafine particulate matter in the air. Data is recorded and shared via an online platform. Schools will monitor the air quality information and use it with BVSD’s Outdoor Air Quality Guidelines to make decisions about conducting outdoor activities. Links to the website and other helpful resources are included below:

Links for conditions at each school on the “Love My Air” website:

Air Monitor Live Data by Location

More information about the monitors is available on the BCPH website at:

Boulder County Public Health Marshall Fire Air Quality Webpage

BVSD provides guidance to schools based on EPA guidelines for schools to use in making decisions about outdoor activities:

BVSD Outdoor Air Quality Guidelines

BVSD Outdoor Air Quality Web Page

soil testing

In tandem with soil testing conducted by Boulder County Public Health, BVSD worked with BCPH to conduct testing at several school sites that were closest to the burn area, including Coal Creek, Fireside, Monarch Campus and Superior. Testing protocols were determined in consultation with BCPH and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Each location was tested for 17 metals and asbestos at the surface. All tests at school sites were consistent with surrounding areas that were not impacted by the fire and do not pose a significant health risk. No further action is warranted at this time.

History

BVSD worked with our partners at Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) as well as our restoration contractor ATI and industrial hygiene consultant, Clark Seif Clark, Inc. for guidance related to providing a safe environment for students and staff in the areas affected by the Marshall Fire. BCPH has stated that it “strongly supports the resumption of classes at BVSD schools including those near the burn area, as well as the efforts the district has taken to ensure student safety.” The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control inspected all buildings and deemed them safe to occupy.

Air Quality

Duct cleaning has been completed at all schools. Follow-up air quality testing was conducted by an independent environmental consulting firm. The monitoring results indicate that the indoor air in all monitored locations contain fewer PM2.5 particles than the outdoor air at the time of the assessment. Trace gas (including TVOC) concentrations were well within normal and expected values, with no anomalies detected.

At this time, we are working to balance the need for adequate ventilation to mitigate COVID transmission with concerns related to outdoor air quality in the burn area. Given the recent wet conditions and the absence of specific outdoor air quality advisories from our partners in public health, ventilation rates and schedules have been returned to pre-fire settings. These settings aim to maximize the introduction of outdoor air into the building to dilute inside air to the extent possible based on outdoor and indoor temperatures and air quality. Multiple CO2 monitors in each building allow staff to monitor air flow inside buildings and adjust as needed. For more information about BVSD’s ongoing district-wide air quality work, please see the recent update to the Board of Education.

BVSD is working with Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) to install outdoor air quality monitors on the exteriors of the eight schools in Louisville and Superior in order to have accurate, real-time data to make decisions regarding outdoor activities and ventilation rates. Planning is still in progress, and we will provide more information when it becomes available.

Grounds Precautions

Out of an abundance of caution, the playground mulch (engineered wood fiber/EWF) has been removed and replaced with new at all elementary schools. The same will be done with play sand at schools that have it and for the Monarch High volleyball pit. BVSD staff are communicating with public health officials regarding the possibility of testing soil at our sites to determine if further action is needed.

Play equipment on playgrounds has been power washed with surfactants and degreasers.

Water System Return to Normal Operations

After the boil order was lifted in Superior and Louisville, the BVSD facilities team followed CDPHE recommendations to remove all non-potable water from the domestic water distribution piping and restore potable water to the buildings:

All toilets and urinals were flushed a minimum of two times to help eliminate large amounts of water from the distribution piping.
All sinks were turned on and run for a minimum of five minutes.
All electric water coolers, bottle fillers and drinking fountains were turned on and allowed to run for a minimum of five minutes. Filters were changed in all equipment that had them.

Custodial staff at the affected schools also ran several cycles of water through ice makers, coffee makers and dishwashers and sanitized the equipment according to recommendations from CDPHE.

In addition to flushing the domestic/potable water distribution systems in these buildings, staff also drained and refilled fire sprinkler systems per the request of the State Fire Inspector.

en español

Les escribimos con varias actualizaciones relacionadas a nuestros esfuerzos continuos de calidad ambiental alrededor de las escuelas de Louisville y Superior.

Precauciones en los terrenos

Por precaución, la cubierta del suelo en las áreas de juegos (fibra de madera de ingeniería/EWF) ha sido retirada y reemplazada con una cubierta nueva en todas las escuelas primarias. Lo mismo sucederá con las áreas de juego de arena en las escuelas que cuentan con una y para la cancha de voleibol de la Escuela Preparatoria Monarch. Este trabajo está programado para realizarse este fin de semana, dependiendo del clima. El personal del BVSD se está comunicando con los oficiales de salud pública sobre la posibilidad de realizar pruebas de la tierra en nuestros sitios para determinar si se necesita tomar otras medidas.

El sistema de agua regresa a su operación normal

Después de que la orden de hervir el agua se levantó en Superior y Louisville, el equipo de las instalaciones del BVSD siguió las recomendaciones del CDPHE para retirar toda el agua que no es potable de la tubería de distribución de agua doméstica y restaurar el agua potable en los edificios:

Todos los inodoros y urinarios fueron descargados al menos dos veces para ayudar a eliminar grandes cantidades de agua de la tubería de distribución.
Todos los lavabos se encendieron y funcionaron durante un mínimo de cinco minutos.
Todos los refrigeradores eléctricos, las estaciones para llenar botellas y los bebederos de agua fueron encendidos y estuvieron funcionando durante un mínimo de cinco minutos. Los filtros fueron cambiados en todo el equipo que tenía filtros.

El personal de mantenimiento en las escuelas afectadas también pasaron varios ciclos de agua por las máquinas de hielo, cafeteras y lavaplatos y desinfectaron el equipo de acuerdo a las recomendaciones del CDPHE.

Además de descargar los sistemas de distribución de agua doméstica/potable en estos edificios, el personal también drenó y volvió a llenar los sistemas de rociadores contra incendios como es requerido por el inspector estatal de incendios.

Calidad del aire

La limpieza de los conductos ha sido completada en todas las escuelas. Las pruebas de seguimiento de la calidad del aire fueron llevadas a cabo por una compañía consultora del medio ambiente independiente. Los resultados del seguimiento indican que el aire en todos los sitios analizados contienen menos partículas de PM2.5 que el aire exterior en el momento de la evaluación. Las concentraciones de los rastros de gas (incluyendo TVOC) están dentro de lo normal y de los valores esperados, sin detectarse anomalías.

En este momento, estamos trabajando para equilibrar la necesidad de una ventilación adecuada para reducir la transmisión del COVID, con preocupaciones relacionadas a la calidad del aire exterior en la zona del incendio. Dada las recientes condiciones de humedad y la ausencia de asesoramiento específico sobre la calidad del aire exterior por parte de nuestros socios de salud pública, los tipos y horarios de ventilación han regresado a los ajustes previos al incendio. Estos ajustes tienen como objetivo aumentar la introducción de aire exterior al edificio para diluir el aire interior lo más posible en base a las temperaturas y calidad del aire exterior e interior. Múltiples monitores de CO2 en cada edificio permiten que el personal controle el flujo del aire dentro de los edificios como sea necesario. Para más información sobre el trabajo continuo del BVSD sobre la calidad del aire en todo el distrito, por favor vea la reciente actualización del Consejo de Educación.

El BVSD está trabajando con el departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Boulder (BCPH) para instalar monitores de calidad del aire exterior en los exteriores de ocho escuelas en Louisville y Superior para poder tener información precisa y en tiempo real para tomar decisiones con respecto a las actividades exteriores y los tipos de ventilación. El planeamiento sigue en proceso, y le proporcionaremos más información cuando esté disponible. Esta semana, el BCPH proporcionó información adicional sobre las condiciones de la calidad del aire en este comunicado de prensa. Como recordatorio, el uso de máscaras en el exterior continúa siendo opcional y a discreción de cada familia.

Permanecemos comprometidos para proporcionar un ambiente seguro que esté libre de peligros en concentraciones preocupantes y continuaremos proporcionando actualizaciones sobre nuestros esfuerzos. Por favor visite nuestro sitio web para recibir información actual.

Other air quality resources

Boulder County Public Health News Release: Outdoor air quality indicators in Marshall fire burn areas similar to unburned urban areas | Jan. 25, 2021

NOAA & CIRES Air Quality Monitoring Van (video)

Real-time Air Quality Monitoring Available in Superior

Statement from Boulder County Public Health regarding Air Quality Monitoring in Marshall Fire areas | Jan. 14, 2022

Boulder County Public Health Letter Regarding Air Quality | Jan. 8, 2022 (En español)

Boulder County OEM Link to Air Quality Information

BVSD Indoor Air Quality Initiative

Letter from industrial hygienist Clark Seif Clark regarding Indoor Environmental Quality

Frequently Asked Questions

How Were Schools Cleaned After the Fire?

All outside air intake into buildings were closed before the smoke plume arrived and remained off until evacuation orders were lifted. This proactive action greatly reduced the potential intrusion of combustion byproducts into the buildings through the HVAC systems. The initial visual inspection of the interior of the buildings confirmed no accumulations of settled combustion byproducts through the HVAC system. Small amounts of settled combustion byproducts were found at some doors, leaky window sills, or skylights.

Although there was little combustion byproduct visible inside the buildings, out of an abundance of caution, BVSD hired two professional fire/disaster remediation firms to thoroughly clean the eight affected schools. ATI and ServPro entered buildings as soon as BVSD was given access and performed specialty cleaning to return the buildings to their pre-event condition and enable us to open schools. This included:

All horizontal surfaces were wet wiped with microfiber towels.
All rugs, carpets, and furniture were HEPA vacuumed.
Hard surface floors were wet mopped.
Air filters in HVAC units were changed after the fire and will continue to be replaced as needed.
Ductwork cleaning has been completed at the affected schools.
Dozens of professional-grade, HEPA equipped air filtration devices or AFDs were deployed to schools to run nightly. They are high volume, moving 500 to 2,000 cubic feet of air per minute through the HEPA filter. These devices recirculate air in the spaces where they are set up, filtering air as it moves through the machine. The movement of the air stirs up settled particulates so they can be drawn through the device and filtered out of the air.
There were in excess of 60 staff from ATI on site at any given time which flexed to as many as 100 when needed. ServPro had 60 people cleaning two schools. Crews were onsite 12 hours each day prior to reopening.
Hydroxyl generators were used to address odors in the buildings.
Air purifiers which were deployed to schools in response to COVID are still operating in schools. HEPA and activated charcoal filters were changed in these devices in December 2021. The activated charcoal filters absorb VOCs and odors.

What measurement tools were used to determine the air in the school was safe? Did this approach specifically measure for the toxic materials that were released into the air due to the burning of so many man-made things?

BVSD has relied on the professional expertise of our remediation contractor and industrial hygienist to thoroughly and sufficiently clean the affected buildings. ATI and ServPro entered buildings as soon as BVSD was given access and performed the necessary specialty cleaning to return the buildings to their pre-event condition and enable us to open schools.

According to the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder (CIRES), the post-fire smell is from VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Some (but not all) are bound to particles and can be trapped by a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter will remove 99.97% of particles and VOCs that are bound to particles. Air filtration devices (AFD) were operated in schools in the days after the fire and school staff are operating classroom air purifiers that utilize both HEPA and activated charcoal filters. Hydroxyl generators were used to address odors in the buildings.

What was done to ensure ceiling tiles are cleared of all embedded debris and toxicity? Was the area above the tiles cleaned?

I know the air ducts were cleaned, but what about the insulation in the school? I know a lot of people have found piles of soot in their attics.

How were all the school supplies (pens, pencils, paper, etc.) cleaned? What is the advice on paper products? Do they absorb any of the toxins or should they be safe?

Because the air intake systems were shut down, there was very little combustion byproduct inside the buildings. Out of an abundance of caution, BVSD hired two restoration professional fire/disaster remediation firms to thoroughly clean the eight affected schools. We are relying on the professional expertise of these companies regarding the cleanliness of the buildings. All horizontal surfaces, such as desks, chairs, shelves, floors etc. were wet wiped. Industrial air filtration devices were used to move large volumes of air through the space, stirring up particles and filtering them out of the air as they move through the device. Items in the classrooms that could not be wiped down, such as learning materials, school supplies, etc. were cleaned in this manner. Please see the background information provided above that details specific cleaning that occurred.

How could the buildings be sufficiently cleaned in such a short period of time?

Because the air intake systems were shut down, there was very little settled combustion byproducts inside buildings. Out of an abundance of caution, BVSD hired two restoration professional fire/disaster remediation firms to thoroughly clean the eight affected schools. Large crews were onsite as soon as BVSD had access to buildings. They were at each school for 12 hrs/day for multiple days to ensure the schools were ready for students on 1/5/22.

What cleaning was done outside the school? What about the playground equipment?

Can air quality monitoring be set up inside and around schools that are near the burn areas?

BVSD is working with Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) to install outdoor air quality monitors on the exteriors of the eight schools in Louisville and Superior in order to have accurate, real-time data to make decisions regarding outdoor activities and ventilation rates. Multiple CO2 monitors in each building allow staff to monitor air flow inside buildings and adjust as needed.

If outside air intake is reduced in response to outside conditions, will that make it unsafe inside related to COVID?

Ventilation is a key component of our layered approach to COVID protection. Should outside conditions change such that we are advised to reduce outside activity and adjust our ventilation programming, we will still have other COVID protections in place. These include vaccination, masking, hand-washing, staying home when sick, and cleaning. Portable air purifiers have been provided for all classrooms to provide additional air filtration. All outside air runs through MERV filters (at the highest MERV filtration level that is appropriate for the equipment) in the building-wide HVAC system. We have CO2 sensors located throughout the buildings to monitor the air exchange rate. We faced similar challenges in the fall of 2020 when wildfires in our area compromised outdoor air quality. We were able to adjust our ventilation systems to reduce outside air intake but still provide enough air exchanges in classrooms.

We are continuing to monitor conditions related to both COVID transmission and wildfire air quality concerns and will adjust as necessary.

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

Nontraditional School

Charter School

Marshall Fire Environmental Quality Information

Environmental Quality Update | April 14, 2022

Air Quality

Links for conditions at each school on the “Love My Air” website:

More information about the monitors is available on the BCPH website at:

BVSD provides guidance to schools based on EPA guidelines for schools to use in making decisions about outdoor activities:

soil testing

History

Air Quality

Grounds Precautions

Water System Return to Normal Operations

en español

Other air quality resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How Were Schools Cleaned After the Fire?

What measurement tools were used to determine the air in the school was safe? Did this approach specifically measure for the toxic materials that were released into the air due to the burning of so many man-made things?

What was done to ensure ceiling tiles are cleared of all embedded debris and toxicity? Was the area above the tiles cleaned?

I know the air ducts were cleaned, but what about the insulation in the school? I know a lot of people have found piles of soot in their attics.

How were all the school supplies (pens, pencils, paper, etc.) cleaned? What is the advice on paper products? Do they absorb any of the toxins or should they be safe?

How could the buildings be sufficiently cleaned in such a short period of time?

What cleaning was done outside the school? What about the playground equipment?

Can air quality monitoring be set up inside and around schools that are near the burn areas?

If outside air intake is reduced in response to outside conditions, will that make it unsafe inside related to COVID?