|
|
Let's Build a Better School |
|
 It’s time to stop using a hammer to open an egg ... sure it works, but it’s by no means the most efficient way.
AC Quest is very aware of the special needs that have to be addressed when designing, building and maintaining a school in today’s world. Considering the amount of occupants, the differing environments within the building and budget constraints a school presents a unique challenge. Stepping back and looking over the larger picture with respects to the HVAC system needs of a school has help us compile a suite of systems. We have a solution that has been built from the ground up, quite literally! From Geothermal to Air purification systems, we have assembled a solution that has the flexibility to stand on its own or segmented individually as needed.
|
|
Read more: Let's Build a Better School
|
|
|
Toxic Air In Our Educational System |
|
How much do you know about what you’re breathing right now?  How about what your children are breathing in school? Growing up I never thought about the quality of the air I was breathing, air was air. To tell the truth the only time it came up was when I entered the bathroom right after my brother. That’s when a very quick conversation on air quality would take place, normally ending with him laughing at what I was about to deal with. That was the school of thought I had, ‘if I could smell something then it was a problem but if not, out of sight out of mind’. Even now as a parent I can’t tell you how many times in passing some none descript industrial plant, looking at the smoke stacks, not seeing any smoke and thinking ‘Is that plant even open?’ Just because I didn’t see any smoke pouring out I figured this place wasn’t a threat. Wow, how wrong I have been!
|
|
|
Read more: Toxic Air In Our Educational System
|
|
Moisture Control in Schools |
|
Uncontrolled moisture indoors can cause major damage to the building structure, as well as to furnishings and to finish materials like floors, walls, and ceilings. Uncontrolled moisture can trigger mold growth which not only damages the school facility, but can lead to health and performance problems for students and staff. Mold is usually not a problem indoors unless there is excess moisture.
Primary causes of indoor moisture problems in new schools include:
Use of building materials that are repeatedly or deeply wetted before the building is fully enclosed
Poor control of rain and snow resulting in roof and flashing leaks
Wet or damp construction cavities
Moisture-laden outdoor air entering the building
Condensation on cool surfaces
|
|
Read more: Moisture Control in Schools
|
|
HVAC Systems Are Among the Largest Energy Consumers in Schools |
|
The main purposes of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system are to help maintain good indoor air quality through adequate ventilation with filtration and provide thermal comfort. HVAC systems are among the largest energy consumers in schools. The choice and design of the HVAC system can also affect many other high performance goals, including water consumption (water cooled air conditioning equipment) and acoustics.
The following actions detail how engineers can design a quality system that is cost-competitive with traditional ventilation designs, while successfully providing an appropriate quantity and quality of outdoor air, lower energy costs, and easier maintenance.
|
|
Read more: HVAC Systems Are Among the Largest Energy Consumers in Schools
|
|
|
|
|
|
Educational
