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School Operations in Summer Months |
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Recently, the America Federation of Teachers has raised concerns about many school districts' resistance to run HVAC systems during summer months while custodial and maintenance workers are in the building. It's hard to believe, but many school systems are not persuaded to turn systems on by the argument that the workers are at risk from heat stress, other heat-related disorders, and/or exposure to high concentrations of toxic substances. In addition, hot and humid portions of the Texas Gulf Coast recognize the added expense of running their systems during the summer months and often reduce the operating hours for energy considerations. This appears to compound the problems as humidity levels that rise above 60% can encourage the growth of biological contamination.
Many school buildings already suffer from roof leaks or other building envelope penetrations that allow direct moisture penetration (rain). Raising temperatures by reducing operating times during summer months can only cause the potential for more problems when school resumes. Situations in which molds colonize in carpets, on walls, and in building mechanical systems can create a maintenance nightmare that costs much more than the money saved on energy.
Based on the concerns raised by the American Federation of Teachers, district administrators should weigh their own district's commitments to employee safety and maintenance or operations issues carefully, before making a decision based primarily on energy savings. |
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