Will the BB101 update improve ventilation in schools?

It is hoped that a long-awaited update to the BB101 standard (‘Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools’) will enhance the wellbeing of children along with their capacity to learn.

The final consultations for BB101 (2016) have now been completed, and the new standard represents the largest legislative change to ventilation in schools for a decade. The standard includes the following recommendations:

•          All ventilation systems must be capable of operating in reasonable UK weather conditions including high winds and rain
•          At the design stage, consideration should be given to factors such as building location, local air quality and patterns of use
•          Life-cycle costs, including running and maintenance expenditure, should be calculated in advance

Outside air pollution means that, in many cases, properly ventilating a school building requires a mechanical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. However, maintenance of these systems is often overlooked which can lead to the introduction of mould, bacteria and viruses. Such contaminants can be transferred into classrooms and other communal areas via the airstream and may jeopardise the wellbeing of students and teachers.

Gibbons HVAC Services has a wealth of experience providing air handling solutions in the education sector, having delivered projects in schools, colleges and universities across the UK. Our energy-efficient systems help improve indoor environmental and air quality (IEAQ) while reducing running costs and maximising equipment life.

Find out more about our HVAC services by calling Andrew Knight on 07850 204915 or email andrew@gibbonsgroup.co.uk.

Meanwhile, our Gibbons Ultraviolet Solutions division supplies state-of-the-art ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems that apply powerful ultraviolet-C (UVC) light to air handling equipment and surfaces. These solutions eradicate bacteria, mould and viruses in the air and on surfaces while preventing the regrowth of such contaminants.

For more information, call Colin Hardman on 07940 544206 or email colin@gibbonsgroup.co.uk.