Facilities and Maintenance Peak Performance Actions
- Develop an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan to identify, solve, and prevent IAQ problems, such as mold growth, improperly maintained ventilation systems, and chemical pollutants from science and art classes. If allergens from classroom animals and cockroaches or other pests are known to cause problems for students with asthma, include allergen control in your IAQ plan.
- Avoid exposing students to fumes, dust and other irritants by scheduling building repairs, cleaning or painting during vacations or the summer when the building is unoccupied.
- Notify Administrator, School Nurse, Teachers, and other staff of any scheduled cleaning or building repairs so that students with asthma can be notified.
- Inspect the building regularly for signs of roaches, mold, moisture, leaks, or spills.
- Establish and follow a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to help minimize allergen and irritant levels in your school.
- Enforce smoking bans on school property and provide smoking cessation programs for faculty and students.
- Avoid lawn maintenance, such as mowing, during school hours. If not possible ensure that windows and air intake vents are closed.
- Obtain a copy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit to help staff identify and learn ways to reduce or eliminate pollutant sources in the school environment that may bring about asthma episodes. Other relevant EPA publications include: Pest Control in the School Environment: Adopting Integrated Pest Management; and Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.
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