INDOOR AIR QUALITY | PASSIVHAUS SCHOOL STUDY Measuring indoor air quality in Passivhaus primary schools Evidence from a study on indoor air quality in two Passivhaus primary schools reinforces the importance of well thought out ventilation and control of outdoor pollution S chool buildings in the UK account for 2% of national carbon emissions, and half the emissions of local authorities. To meet national climateschool buildings needs to increase. This could be achieved through the In the meantime, there is mounting evidence on the adverse effects of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) on childrens health and on their cognitive performance completion guidance. three classrooms and at an outdoor location on the roofs of the main buildings. Real- ) 2 levels. Fresh air is supplied to the classrooms, then used air is displaced to the hub space (circulation and activities ). In addition, 2 ), and total and targeted volatile organic 2 of four days including unoccupied hours While these initial results should be small sample size, the indoor environmental reported in previous studies of UK schools, such as the UK part of the Schools Indoor Trimsaran Primary School is a Passivhaus school, but not one of those studied in this research All classrooms met the overheating risk criteria based on adaptive thermal comfort thresholds during the summer monitoring of these features can account for higher classroom temperatures in both seasons. 2 2 to requirements in School A, this could also 38 April 2021 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE April 21 pp38-39 Passivhaus school IAQ study Supp.indd 38 26/03/2021 14:54