The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) is committed to ensuring our school environments are healthy, safe, and optimal for learning and working.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the province established a working group on ventilation – with representation from Public Health, WorkSafeNB, EECD and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI) – to review the latest scientific findings and recommendations from Health Canada and other expert sources. The working group developed a guide document to support school districts in their efforts to promote healthy air circulation in schools. The document was reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
In 2020, government undertook a review of all public schools in the province and has since identified sixty-six schools that did not have adequate integrated mechanical ventilation systems.
A multi-year capital program has been approved to install new integrated mechanical ventilation systems in eligible schools, while others will be replaced as part of EECD’s annual major capital program.
Assessments are being carried out in existing schools to determine the probable scope and cost of installing integrated mechanical ventilation systems. In addition, two consultant firms have been hired to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in schools without integrated mechanical ventilation systems. Projects will be prioritized based on the results of this testing, which will be undertaken annually during the winter heating season, while classrooms are occupied.
As of the end of the 2022-2023 school year, installation of mechanical ventilation systems has been completed in nine schools, and eleven projects have reached the construction phase. The remaining eligible schools are scheduled to have integrated mechanical ventilation systems designed and installed by the end of 2026.
Government has invested more than $30 million on school ventilation projects since 2015.
Air quality test results
The first air quality tests were conducted in the 2020-2021 school year, under the conditions most likely to create a CO2 buildup: while classrooms were occupied during the winter heating season.
Follow-up testing is completed annually during the same conditions in schools that are in need of integrated mechanical ventilation systems, and had previous peak CO2 levels above 1,500 ppm.
All test results were found to be within the safe range of CO2 levels (below 5,000 parts per million over an eight-hour period weighted average, or 30,000 ppm over a 15-minute weighted average) and did not pose a risk to occupants’ health and safety.
CO2 levels are used as an indication of the rate at which air is being renewed, which in turn provides a general view of the air quality in a space.
Test results are available here.