Evaluation of Mechanical Ventilation Systems in Classrooms in Austria and Authoring of a Planning Manual

The most important final aim of this project relating to the aims of the program "Building of Tomorrow" is to collect positive solutions, mistakes and shortcomings. Based on experiences during the evaluation process a planning guideline and quality criteria for the future implementation of classroom ventilation systems in new buildings or the renovation of al-ready existing buildings are developed in order to improve the quality and to support the distribution of classroom ventilation systems.

Client

Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation und Technology (BMVIT); Programme „Building of Tomorrow“

Duration

2007-2008

Partner
  • Fachhochschule Kufstein, the Tyrol (project leader)
  • AEE INTEC, Gleisdorf
  • Energie Tirol, Innsbruck
  • arsenal research, Vienna

Due to the requirements of a learner-friendly approach (i.e. satisfactory indoor air quality) as well as energy savings in kindergartens and schools mechanical classroom ventilation systems (with heat recovery) are essential in today's educational environment. Numerous studies have shown that schools with ventilation via windows have bad in-door air quality. However, in Austria research in this field is still at its beginning and relevant experience has neither been sufficiently documented nor can be used adequately for future projects.  

Aim: The most important final aim of this project relating to the aims of the program "Building of Tomorrow" is to collect positive solutions, mistakes and shortcomings. Based on experiences during the evaluation process a planning guideline and quality criteria for the future implementation of classroom ventilation systems in new buildings or the renovation of al-ready existing buildings are developed in order to improve the quality and to support the distribution of classroom ventilation systems.

Procedure: The evaluation consists of two main parts: the evaluation of mechanical classroom ventilation systems – divided into an analysis of acceptance and the technical analysis – and the development of a planning guideline as well as detailed quality criteria. This evaluation was based on the previously developed "Austrian map of current classroom ventilation systems" as well as the collection and analysis of already existing individual studies. 16 schools were selected from the data base of schools with mechanical classroom ventilation systems and took part in the evaluation process. The project not only focused on technical aspects, but also concentrated on the collection of data and the presentation of the analysis of acceptance among present users (pupils, teachers, janitors). Therefore the evaluation consists of the analysis of acceptance and a technical evaluation. For the analysis of acceptance two written questionnaires were de-veloped: one for pupils, teachers and janitors and one for architects, planners and building owners. The technical evaluation especially focuses on the following aspects: the choice of ventilation concept (decentral, semi-central, central), air mass and air distribution, the loss of pressure, the type of heat recovery, the electrical energy need, the type of anti-freezing protection, the type of post heating to comfort temperature, the indoor air quality achieved, necessary repairs and maintenance costs as well as the current noise load. A planning guideline and 61 detailed quality criteria for classroom ventilation systems were developed based on the results of existing planning directives, drafts of norms and norms as well as the results of the analysis of acceptance and the technical evaluation.