News
Conference inspires IAQ in education
IAQ Matters Conference by Eurovent: Breathing Achievement into Every Classroom
On Wednesday, 22 January 2025, Eurovent Association, Eurovent Certification, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) brought together delegates from the world of academia and HVAC for an extraordinary conference delving into the topic of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in educational settings. The IAQ Matters Conference by Eurovent: Breathing Achievement into Every Classroom took place on a chilly afternoon at the Institute of Engineering Technology, in London, UK.
Designed to probe the link between good IAQ and a positive learning experience in educational establishments, the event aimed to turn academic research into practical, real-life solutions. Bringing together renowned experts in IAQ, the event explored ways to improve the achievement and wellbeing of children and adults in education.
The presentations
After a buffet lunch in the Maxwell Library, delegates were welcomed to the Turing Lecture Theatre by their host for the event, Eurovent Certification’s UK Business Development Manager, Ian Butler. After setting out the proceedings for the day, the first presentation got underway.
Presentation1: UKHSA literature review: impacts and benefits of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in educational buildings
Presented by: Prof. Sani Dimitroulopoulou, Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist - Indoor Environments; Duncan Grassie, Environmental Public Health Scientist; Kaja Milczewska, Environmental Public Health Scientist.
Sani, Duncan and Kaja previewed the work of the UKHSA and their literature review into the impact of indoor environmental quality in educational buildings.
Presentation 2: Understanding the effectiveness of air cleaners in schools
Presented by Prof. Catherine Noakes OBE, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds.
Cath’s presentation covered the challenges of undertaking research into air cleaners in schools and focused in on the Class ACT study in Bradford.
Presentation 3: SAMHE air quality monitoring in more than 600 schools across the UK, including on ventilation rates and indoor pollution levels
Presented by Dr Henry Burridge, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London
Henry’s presentation explained the findings from the SAMHE (Schools’ Air quality Monitoring for Health and Education) project and the importance of good IAQ.
Presentation 4: What we know and should know about classroom air quality, ventilation, and thermal environment in relation to learning and monitoring
Presented by Prof. Pawel Wargocki, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
Pawel addressed three key questions; What is the optimal learning environment? How to examine that learning environment is optimal? How to advance research and implement the knowledge?
Presentation 5: Indoor air quality in French schools: 15 years of research to improve knowledge
Presentation by Corinne Mandin, Environmental Health Researcher
Corinne introduced delegates to the French IAQ Observatory, a programme created in 2001 to coordinate and develop indoor air research activities at a national scale.
Presentation 6: Teachers' attitude to IAQ, and installation and maintenance concerns
Presented by Adam Taylor, Managing Director, ARM Environments and Chair, BESA IAQ Specialist Group
Adam demonstrated the need for automatic ventilation systems in schools and explained the repercussions of poor maintenance.
Presentation 7: Filters in classrooms and intrusion of externally polluted air
Presented by Emma Gibbons, UCL, and Peter Walsh, WSP, members of the CIBSE Air Quality Group
Emma and Peter gave insights into five different IAQ projects from WSP and UCL, while also covering CIBSE’s work and the Air Quality Group.
Presentation 8: Performance-based approach simulation to predict IAQ and energy performance of ventilation systems
Presented by Dr Ali Alexandre Nour Eddine, Senior technical Manager, Eurovent Certification
Ali introduced the Eurovent IAQ Project, discussing a performance-based approach to assessing the effectiveness of ventilation systems in tackling IAQ and gauging energy consumption.
Panel discussion and audience Q&A
Moderated by Simon Jones, host of the Air Quality Matters podcast, with panellists from left to right: Adam Taylor, Catherine Noakes, Henry Burridge, Duncan Grassie, Ali Alexandre Nour Eddine, Corinne Mandin, Pawel Wargocki, Sani Dimitroulopoulou, and Peter Walsh.
The panel discussion kicked off with a question from moderator, Simon Jones, asking how schools with small budgets could improve IAQ. This was followed up by questions and observations from the audience on a range of topics including:
- Did the studies find a relationship between poor IAQ and behaviour?
- Should schools have Standards on appliances such as vacuum cleaners, which can release and suspend dust?
- Studies on PM2.5 variances need more analysis, do schools need a strategy to using WHO limits?
- Is it better to renovate existing plant, or install new systems?
- In Spain IAQ is a must in schools. CO2 meters must be compliant to standards. Every building must be considered as a whole. How do we communicate the message that IAQ is not just a cost?
- What effect does humidity have?
- Is humidity a pollutant?
- We have bad building design, management and maintenance. Should there be a mechanism to discuss this with schools? And what is it?
- We have rules and regs, hubs and experts, but the system is broken. We need to lobby MPs. How do we come together to do that?
With questions still flowing, Ian Butler lamented having to bring the Q&A to a close, but invited delegates to move back into the Maxwell Library to carry on the conversation with drinks and food.
The overwhelming message from the event was that while poor IAQ is endemic in our schools, we have the knowledge and technology available to make a real difference to IAQ in educational buildings. There is much work to be done in regard to regulations, school budgets, good HVAC design, installation and maintenance, and teacher knowledge of IAQ, which means it’s vital that industry, academics, teachers and government work together to protect everyone in the classroom.
Our thanks go to all the speakers and everyone who attended. Interviews with the presenters from the event will be available on the Air Quality Matters podcast.
Conference presentations are now available on the Eurovent website.