Trane® – by Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator – and Austin Independent School District (ISD) are teaming up to assess and improve the quality of indoor air in the school district.
Indoor air quality has long been a critical part of healthy, effective learning environments, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) play a critical role in creating proper indoor air quality. ASHRAE® guidelines to address COVID-19 in the reopening of schools indicate that making changes to the operation of HVAC systems can reduce exposure to airborne contaminants.
Cost-Effective Roadmap For Improvement
As part of the pilot program, Trane engineers are completing Indoor Air Quality Assessments at a sample of Austin ISD elementary, middle and high schools. The findings will equip Austin ISD school building managers with a clear and cost-effective roadmap for any needed improvements that will bring facilities into alignment with industry recommendations.
The priority of Austin ISD is to create the best possible indoor environment for students and staff, said Bob Cervi, executive director of facilities and construction for Austin ISD.
Authority Comment
Trane IAQ Assessment focuses on four critical areas of indoor air quality – dilute, exhaust, contain, and clean “At my core I am an educator. As a former high school drafting teacher and coach, it is imperative to provide an environment that is safe, comfortable and conducive to learning,” Cervi said.
“It was important to us to evaluate the quality of air in our schools alongside everything else we’re doing to mitigate risks for in-person learning. Trane’s engineered approach, developed in conjunction with ACR Engineering, will ensure we take the right steps to improve air quality and help ensure the best possible outcome for the Austin ISD family.”
IAQ Assessment
The Trane® Indoor Air Quality Assessment is a fact-based, data-driven analysis of how effectively a building’s indoor air quality adheres to current industry and CDC recommendations for operating HVAC systems.
The Trane® Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment focuses on four critical areas of indoor air quality – dilute, exhaust, contain, and clean. School operators will receive actionable data and insights about the schools’ overall air quality to implement immediately or plan for future investment.
Benefitting The Students And School
“As a parent with a daughter at Highland Park Elementary, our family is very anxious to get our daughter back to the high quality, in person learning environment she experienced as a kindergartener,” said Scott Huffmaster, Area General Manager for Trane.
“We are pleased to see the district going the extra mile to assess and understand the quality of air in its schools. Investments in indoor air quality, proper ventilation, and technologies that can save on long-term energy use are going to benefit our students and school occupants for years, well beyond the immediate threat of this pandemic.”
