Guide/Tool
5 Step Guide to Checking Ventilation Rates in Classrooms
T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University
This guide instructs users on how to check ventilation rates classrooms.
Indoor Air Quality
- Displaying 1 - 10 of 51 results
Research/Report
A Preliminary Study on the Association Between Ventilation Rates in Classrooms and Student Performance
Richard J. Shaughnessy, Ulla Haverinen-Shaughnessy, Aino Nevalainen, Demetrios Moschandreas
This study measured CO₂ in 50 fifth-grade classrooms and found an average ventilation rate of only 3.9 L s⁻¹ person⁻¹—about half the recommended minimum. Classes with more outdoor air scored higher in math, indicating that better ventilation may enhance academic performance, although more research is needed.
Guide/Tool
Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings: Achieving Zero Energy
ASHRAE
This guide outlines strategies for designing zero energy K–12 schools, balancing efficiency and on-site renewable generation. It covers climate-specific targets, energy reduction techniques, and implementation strategies, including optimized lighting, HVAC, and envelope design.
National
Asthma And the Urgent Need For Improved Air Quality In Schools Opens link in new tab
Facility Executive - June 2, 2025
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month is in May, and it presents a timely opportunity to consider the factors that influence asthma, which is one of the most common chronic diseases among children. Nearly five million American kids live with asthma today—a figure that has increased by 160% since 1980—and, according to the Asthma and Allergy…
Research/Report
Classroom Air Quality in a Randomized Crossover Trial with Portable HEPA Air Cleaners
Shayna C. Simona, Scott M. Bartell, Verónica M. Vieira
This UC Irvine crossover trial found that portable HEPA air cleaners lowered classroom PM2.5 by 40% and sharply reduced outdoor particle infiltration, compared with look-alike non-HEPA units. The findings show districts can achieve additional, low-cost IAQ and health gains through supplemental filtration.
Guide/Tool
Clean Air at School
American Lung Association
The Clean Air at School resource hub by the American Lung Association offers a comprehensive suite of tools and guidance to help K–12 schools improve indoor air quality (IAQ).
Guide/Tool
Clean Air in Schools
Center for Green Schools, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Six short modules show schools how to measure, upgrade, and maintain ventilation and filtration, then document results—yielding a practical IAQ action plan and 2 continuing-education credits.
Guide/Tool
Commissioning, Retro-commissioning, and Ongoing Commissioning for School Air Quality and Energy Efficiency
Center for Green Schools
This webinar highlights HVAC commissioning strategies to enhance school energy efficiency and indoor air quality through expert guidance and case studies.
Resource Hub
Creating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in Schools
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
This website offers a range of resources to help school stakeholders understand and take action on indoor air quality issues.
Guide/Tool
Design Guidance for Education Facilities: Prioritization for Advanced Indoor Air Quality (Version 2.0)
ASHRAE
This ASHRAE guide ranks ventilation and filtration upgrades—MERV 13 filters, 4–6 air-changes, HEPA units, UV-C—into Very High, High and Medium priorities for K-12 facilities. Each measure lists IAQ benefit, cost and energy impact, giving engineers and administrators a practical, phased playbook.