School Ventilation
All heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the Surrey School District are operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards and specifications, as well as Occupational Health and Safety and WorkSafeBC standards.
These systems are regularly inspected by our Facilities department, and any identified issues are promptly addressed.
We utilize HVAC equipment filters at the highest filtration rate that can be accommodated, usually a MERV-13, 11, or 8 filter.
We have also upgraded our building automation system by adding a dashboard to be able to quickly identify and correct problems with the HVAC system in a timely fashion.
To optimize ventilation, we have implemented the following protocols at all sites:
- Increased the volume/exchanges of fresh air being supplied into all buildings by expanding the 'occupied' hours by an additional 4 hours;
- Reduced the CO2 set point from 1000 ppm to 800ppm as applicable;
- Increased the minimum outside air damper position from 10% to 25% where appropriate;
- Increased the gymnasium fan speeds to 100% during occupied hours.
We are also changing filters at increased frequency (4 times a year) to ensure efficient operation.
The district also has an indoor air quality (IAQ) testing protocol. If and when a concern is brought forward from a school/site, the district's Health and Safety office investigates the concern and, if warranted, brings in an Environmental Consultant to run additional IAQ testing for that site. Upon receipt of these results, the Facilities department initiates any work required to address the concern.
The database below has details on specific sites. For a ventilation system overview for each site, please refer to this file.
