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Indoor Air Quality in Naturally Ventilated Classrooms. Lessons Learned from a Case Study in a COVID-19 Scenario

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Meiss

    (RG Architecture & Energy, Universidad de Valladolid, 47014 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Héctor Jimeno-Merino

    (RG Architecture & Energy, Universidad de Valladolid, 47014 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Irene Poza-Casado

    (RG Architecture & Energy, Universidad de Valladolid, 47014 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Alfredo Llorente-Álvarez

    (RG Architecture & Energy, Universidad de Valladolid, 47014 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Miguel Ángel Padilla-Marcos

    (RG Architecture & Energy, Universidad de Valladolid, 47014 Valladolid, Spain)

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of a series of ventilation strategies in a nursery and primary school from September 2020, when the government decided to resume the students’ face-to-face activity in the middle of a COVID scenario. Air quality and hygrothermal comfort conditions were analysed before the pandemic and compared for different ventilation configurations in a post-COVID scenario. Ventilation strategies included the protocols issued by the Public Administration, while others were developed based on the typological configuration and use of the school. Results revealed that it is advisable to implement certain strategies that reduce the risk of infection among the occupants of the spaces, without a significant decrease in hygrothermal comfort. Given the importance of maintaining better IAQ in the future within classrooms, and regarding the pre-COVID situation, these strategies may be extended beyond this pandemic period, through a simple protocol and necessary didactic package to be assumed by both teachers and students of the centre.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Meiss & Héctor Jimeno-Merino & Irene Poza-Casado & Alfredo Llorente-Álvarez & Miguel Ángel Padilla-Marcos, 2021. "Indoor Air Quality in Naturally Ventilated Classrooms. Lessons Learned from a Case Study in a COVID-19 Scenario," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8446-:d:603649
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Turanjanin, Valentina & Vučićević, Biljana & Jovanović, Marina & Mirkov, Nikola & Lazović, Ivan, 2014. "Indoor CO2 measurements in Serbian schools and ventilation rate calculation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 290-296.
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    Cited by:

    1. Antonio J. Aguilar & María L. de la Hoz-Torres & Diego P. Ruiz & Mª Dolores Martínez-Aires, 2022. "Monitoring and Assessment of Indoor Environmental Conditions in Educational Building Using Building Information Modelling Methodology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Kristijan Lavtižar & Alenka Fikfak & Rok Fink, 2023. "Overlooked Impacts of Urban Environments on the Air Quality in Naturally Ventilated Schools Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Chih-Pei Hu & Jen-Hsiung Cheng, 2022. "Challenges and Actions of IAQ under COVID-19: A Survey of Taiwanese People’s Perception of Epidemic Prevention and Indoor Places Certification," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Simon Li, 2023. "Review of Engineering Controls for Indoor Air Quality: A Systems Design Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-46, September.

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