Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is important for health and learning. BVSD works on several fronts to protect indoor air quality and respond to concerns when they arise.
Operational Practices
What we do inside our buildings and how we care for them has a significant impact on the environment in our schools. Here are some of the ways we protect indoor air quality:
- Reducing the levels of indoor air pollutants through preventive measures including regular cleaning, routine maintenance activities (e.g. changing filters and fixing leaks promptly) and periodic building evaluations (e.g. to identify water intrusion or microbial growth)
- Promoting the use of green cleaning practices and products
- Monitoring ventilation rates and CO and CO2 levels in buildings and adjusting as necessary
Building Systems and Materials
Improving indoor air quality was a priority in BVSD’s 2014 bond-funded capital improvement program. Significant investments were made in updating HVAC systems in schools across the district to increase ventilation rates and our ability to control systems centrally. CO and CO2 monitors have been installed in buildings and provide ongoing monitoring and data to tell us in real time what is happening with air quality. With our centralized controls, we are able to adjust systems remotely to provide more or less fresh air as needed.
BVSD has adopted green building guiding principles which call for the use of low VOC products and materials (such as paints and sealants) to avoid the introduction of toxins into the indoor environment.
Responding to Concerns
BVSD has a process in place to respond to indoor air quality concerns in a prompt and thorough manner, through investigation, documentation, and effective communication.
BVSD’s Environmental Technicians are trained and certified to conduct site investigations which may include visual inspections and sample collection and testing, as well as conducting occupant interviews.
BVSD staff will correct the identified cause of the concern and conduct a follow up investigation to confirm the issue has been resolved. If necessary, BVSD has reliable professional partners to assist with investigations or remediation when needed.
Staff can alert our Environmental Team to IAQ issues by submitting a work order through BVSD's staff Intranet.
General information about mold from the Center for Disease Control
Indoor Air Quality Information from Colorado Department of Health and Environment
