Using Recycled & Lightweight Material in Construction - Cost & Environmental Benefits. From the session on 'Indoor Comfort - Air Quality in Schools ' at 'Saint-Gobain Days' held at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on 14th and 15th April, 2015. Presented by Mazen Chouihna, Abu Dhabi Education Council Infrastructure and Facilities Division and Hicham Kabbage, Saint-Gobain Gyproc Education Sector Developer

1. Indoor Comfort -
Air Quality in
Schools

2. Presented by:
Mazen Chouihna: Abu Dhabi Education Council
Infrastructure and Facilities Division
Hicham Kabbage : Saint-Gobain Gyproc
Education Sector Developer

3. DID YOU KNOW ?
• Nearly 2 million people worldwide die prematurely from
illness attributed to indoor air pollution - World Health
Organizations (WHO)
• Indoor air quality will become the 3rd leading cause of death
worldwide by 2030 - World Health Organizations (WHO)
• Indoor air quality is 2 to 5 times and occasionally 100 times,
worse than outdoor air - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

4. AGENDA
1 - Why are children impacted by IAQ?
2 - How are they impacted?
3 - Types of indoor air pollutants
4 - Sources of indoor air pollutants
5 - Sources outside schools
6 - School building equipment and IAQ
7 - Common pollutants in schools
8 - Initiatives by the local government
9 - Summary
4

5. WHY ARE CHILDREN IMPACTED BY POOR INDOOR
AIR QUALITY?
1000 hours a year Weak immunity system Breath higher volume
per pound relative to
body weight
Exposure to put things in mouth

6. HOW CAN POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPACT
STUDENTS?
Coughing Headache
Irritation of the eye Cause asthma Absenteeism
Reduced productivity

7. TYPES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS IN SCHOOLS
Particulates:
Tiny particles suspended in the air. Common particulates include residential pollen,
dust mites, dust, smoke and dander (skin flakes). Particulate diameters are measured
in microns and range from .001 to 1,000 microns.
Microbial
Bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi, spores and mold.
Gases
Indoor odors and gases, such as benzene, VOC, formaldehyde, chloroform, hydrogen
sulfide, ammonia, etc.

8. SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
IAQ
Gases/Vapors/Aerosols
Odors Minerals /
Metals
Biological Particulates

9. SOURCES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS
Other sources
• Industrial emissions
• Nearby sources
• Loading docks
• Underground sources
• Pesticides
Pollen Dust/Sand
Vehicle emissionFumes from dumpsters
Fertilizers

10. OTHER INDOOR SOURCES IN SCHOOLS

11. SCHOOL BUILDING EQUIPMENT
• Microbiological growth in drip pans,
ductwork, coils, and humidifiers
• Improper venting of combustion
products
• Dust or debris in ductwork
Heating, Ventilation, and Air-
Conditioning (HVAC) equipment
Non-HVAC equipment
• Emissions from office equipment
• Emissions from shops, labs, and
cleaning processes
• VOC (formaldehyde)

12. COMMON POLLUTANT IN SCHOOLS
Pollutant Major Indoor Sources Potential Health Effects*
Formaldehyde Furnishings, flooring, wallpaper;
pressed wood products such as
plywood and particleboard
Headache; allergic reactions;
eye, nose, and throat irritation;
cancer
Carbon Monoxide Tobacco smoke; wood stoves
and unvented or malfunctioning
gas appliances
Fatal at high concentrations;
impaired vision and mental
functioning; headache; nausea;
angina
Organic Chemicals Aerosol sprays, dry cleaned
clothing; solvents; pesticides;
cleaning agents
Eye, nose and throat irritation;
headaches; loss of coordination;
damage to liver, kidney and brain
Nitrogen Oxides Unvented or malfunctioning gas
appliances
Causes increased respiratory
infections in children; eye, nose,
and throat irritation

13. WHAT IS HAPPENING AT NATIONAL LEVEL
ESTIDAMA
Four pillars of ESTIDAMA
Environmental
Social
Economic
Cultural
• Liveable Buildings: Improving the quality and connectivity of
outdoor and indoor spaces.

14. ADEC INITIATIVES TOWARDS HEALTHY IAQ IN
SCHOOLS - LIVEABLE INDOORS
Healthy ventilation delivery
• Separation distances between outdoor air intakes and exhaust points
comply with ASHRAE 62.1.2007 standards
• The design complies with ASHRAE 62.1 2007 ventilation rate procedures
Smoking control
• The entire building is a non smoking environment
• Signage stating ‘no smoking’ is posted at all entrances and roof tops
outside the school building.
Legionella prevention
• Water spray systems are avoided.
• Avoidance of water temperatures /conditions that favor legionella
• Water stagnation is avoided & use of water treatment techniques
• Maintenance of the cleanliness of the system

15. ADEC INITIATIVES TOWARDS A HEALTHY IAQ IN
SCHOOLS
MATERIAL EMISSIONS
Adhesives and Sealants •All adhesives & sealants are compliant /not exceed VOC limits (SCAQM: Rule 1168)
Paints and Coatings •All interior paints & coatings ≤ max VOC limit values as per Annex II, Phase II,
Table A of European Directive 2004/42/CE: 2004
Carpet/Hard Flooring
•Carpet & cushions ≥ Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label/Green Label Plus
Program/Greenguard IAQ (GGIAQ) for carpets
•Hard flooring systems & finishes must achieve FloorScore Certification or
(GGIAQ) Certification
•Wood flooring products < class E1 for formaldehyde
Ceiling Systems
•Ceiling systems comply with BS EN 13964: 2004 section 4.5
•All paints used for painted gypsum board comply with the requirements for
paints & coatings
Formaldehyde
reduction
•Internal construction materials are specified such that it does not exceed
formaldehyde VOC content class E1 levels

16. CYCLE I SCHOOLS
ADEC

17. CYCLE II, III SCHOOLS
ADEC

18. SUMMARY
• Why / How are children impacted by poor indoor air quality
• Types of indoor air pollutants in schools
• Particulates
• Microbial
• Gases
• Sources of indoor air pollutants
 Formaldehyde a major concern in schools
• Initiatives by Abu Dhabi
• ESTIDAMA
• ADEC

19. BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS OFFERING
GOOD IAQ
Peace of mind Less money spent on
children’s health
Trust
Parents:
Healthy/Active
students
Good grades
Students:
Good performance Healthy/Active
teachers
Teachers:

20. BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS OFFERING
GOOD IAQ
Absenteeism Success rate Parents satisfaction
School reputationMore school admissions
School operators:

21. ACTIV’AIR TECHNOLOGY

22. Thank you