Ventilation Rates in Schools and Children

1
Ventilation Rates in Schools and Childrens
Learning Performance
Zsolt Bakó-Biró
School of Construction Management and Engineering
2
Research Team

• Prof. Derek Clements-Croom(SCME, University of
  Reading)
• Dr. Hazim Awbi(SCME, University of Reading)
• Dr. Marylin Williams(School of Psychology ,
  University of Reading)
• Dr. David Coley(Centre for Energy Environment,
  University of Exeter)
• Dr. Neena Kochhar(SCME, University of Reading)
• Dr. Zsolt Bakó-Biró(SCME, University of Reading)

3
Objectives

• To extend our knowledge about IAQ and typical
  ventilation rates in school environments
• To determine a direct relationship between IAQ
  and pupils learning performance.

4
Methods

• School selection 20 primary schools in Reading
  Exeter
• Targeted age group9-11 years old children
• Measurementsobjective subjective evaluations
  (repeated design)(2-3 weeks / school for 2
  years)
• Interventionto increase the ventilation rates
  above 8 L/s per person

5
Physical measurements

• Continuous monitoring

• Air temperature Relative Humidity (RH)
• Globe temperature
• Air velocity
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Airborne particles (PM1, PM2.5, PM10)
• Lighting

6
Data collection
7
Classroom setup
8
Classroom setup
9
Subjective evaluations

• Classroom environment

10
Subjective evaluations

• SBS symptoms other questions

11
Subjective evaluations

• SBS symptoms other questions

12
Pupils Performance Tests

• Computerised Assessment Tests (CAT) (attention,
  concentration and memory)

24 pupils/classroom groups of 6-8 people

• Pen and Paper (school based) performance
  activities

13
CAT - battery

1. Simple Reaction Time
2. Choice Reaction Time
3. Colour Word Vigilance
4. Digit classification
5. Digit-symbol matching
6. Reaction time - addition
7. Digit span memory
8. Picture recall memory
9. Verbal Reasoning
10. Words recognition

14
CAT battery

• Simple Reaction Time

16 signals / minute. Randomized intervals
between 2 5 seconds
15
CAT battery

• Choice Reaction Time

16 signals / minute. Randomized intervals
between 2 5 seconds
16
CAT battery

• Colour Word Vigilance Test response is required
  only to a minority of the signals

Red Yellow Blue White
Red Yellow Blue White
30 signals / minute at constant intervals Random
distribution within each sequence of 16 stimuli
17
Pen and Paper (school based) Activities

• Math based
• Addition 26 or 346 97 472
•   Subtraction 86 - or 736 - 47 472
• Multiplication 8 x 264
• Number comparison False
• 326548 326248 x
• 264269 264269
• 756517 756317 x

18
Pen and Paper (school based) Activities

• Language-based
• Logical reasoning
• Statement True False
• AB A does not precede B x
• BA B is followed by A x

19
Outcomes

• To recommend suitable ventilation rates for
  classrooms.
• To examine the suitability of the air quality
  guidelines for classrooms based on the results
  obtained
• To develop a website displaying the main research
  findings.

20
Thank You
21
Program interface
22
Interpretation