Mechanical Room

Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Unit (HVAC) - Mold & Dust

Many newer schools use an HVAC system for indoor climate control. Mold and dust can be become a problem in the system if the system is not properly maintained. V entilation systems must be clean, dry and supplying an adequate amount of outdoor air to school buildings. IDEM has created a School Ventilation Checklist with recommendations for proper maintenance.

Floor Drain - Pests

Floor drains can become breeding grounds for pests, such as flies or cockroaches, due to standing water.

• Be sure drain traps are cleaned on a regular basis.

• Consider using cockroach sticky traps to monitor for cockroaches and other insects. These are non-toxic and safe around food.

• Pouring bleach down the drain will not get rid of flies. If flies are a problem, consider using natural fly traps.

Water Heater - Combustion Appliance

Like any combustion appliance, a gas water heater can be a source of indoor air pollution, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), if improperly used or malfunctioning. Nitrogen dioxide, among other pollutants, irritates the lungs and may worsen asthma symptoms.

• Be sure a gas water heater is properly vented and in good working order

• Consider installing a carbon monoxide (CO) detector; although CO is not an asthma trigger the detector will alert you to a malfunctioning combustion appliance.