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Maintenance Staff: |
Maintenance staff must make wise day to day decisions to maintain good indoor air quality. Special attention must be paid to air quality issues such as cleaning, renovations/repairs, ventilation maintenance, pest control and landscaping. Additionally, maintenance staff are key in communicating indoor air quality policies to contractors.
Below are steps maintenance personnel can take to provide a safe and healthy atmosphere for all children.
Sanitation and Strong Odor Control
- Do not perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks when children are present.
- Be sure floor mats, both indoor and outdoor, are cleaned often according to manufacturer guidelines. Consider using High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter vacuums or HEPA filter bags.
- Sweep and mop hard-surface flooring daily. Empty and rinse mop and bucket after each use.
- Be sure to clean brooms often, because food particles can build up.
- Store caulks, solvents, paints, adhesives, sealants, cleaning supplies, and pesticides in a well ventilated area away from classrooms and out of children’s reach.
- Run water through unused floor drains and sinks to prevent sewer gas build-up.
Pest Management
- Check hard to reach places, damp areas, near trash cans, recycling areas, and food preparation areas for signs of pests. Use sticky monitor boxes to aid in early detection of pests.
- Track pest sightings by creating and maintaining a Pest Sighting Log. It should contain the date, location pest was sighted, type of pest, and employee’s name.
- Use the Indiana Pesticide Review Board’s suggested Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, the Indiana Pest Control Policy Recommendations.
- Do not use insecticides, herbicides or pesticides when children are present.
- Seal all cracks and crevices to prevent pests.
- Do not stack boxes on the floor for storage. Instead, use metal shelving for storage with the bottom shelf no lower than six inches off the ground.
- When using a pest control contractor, be sure the school’s pest control policies are adhered to; refer to Purdue University’s IPM Technical Resource Center for guidance on Working with a Pest Control Service in an IPM Program.
Ventilation and Mold Control
- Be sure the ventilation system is working properly. Dust grills and air supply vents. Consider adopting EPA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools recommendations for Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (H-VAC) Systems.
- Keep humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent to prevent mold growth. Consider installing humidity monitors in areas of the school prone to dampness, such as near locker rooms and the cafeteria.
- Keep objects away from air vents and returns.
- Check damper setting to be sure enough outdoor air is being brought into the building.
- Check drain pans under unit ventilators or HVAC system for standing water and mold, empty as needed and wipe with a damp soapy cloth.
- Change filters in the ventilation system according to manufacturer guidelines. Consider replacing filters with pleated electrostatic air filters which will capture more fine particles.
- Wet or damp items such as carpet should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Locate and fix the source of the leak or problem.
- Clean mold growth on hard surfaces with detergent and water. If mold can not be removed, replace materials.
- Be sure that combustion devices, such as gas stoves, are vented outdoors and well maintained.
Outdoor and Landscaping
- Close windows when pollen counts and ozone levels are high
- Check daily weather reports or the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website for Daily Pollen & Mold Counts for pollen counts.
- Check the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s Smog Watch website for daily ozone levels.
- Do not mow grass during school occupied hours.
- Be sure that dumpsters/trash cans have lids to prevent standing water and pests.
- Locate dumpsters/trash cans away from air intakes, delivery locations, windows and playground/sports areas.
- Keep dumpster and recycling areas clean.
- Consider locking dumpster areas to avoid illegal trash dumping.
- Be aware of wasps, bees, yellow jackets and hornets. Monitor for nests on the property.
- Reduce insect attractants, such as fruit trees.
- Refer to Purdue University’s IPM Technical Resource Center for Integrated Pest Management For School Grounds.