An agreement between Johnson Controls and a Maryland school district provided financing for the initial capital expenditure to upgrade and control the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment at a high school and guaranteed savings during the 5-year contract. (MLF)

A Kansas school district uses computers, an energy management consultant, retrofitting, and school cleaning scheduling to reduce energy use. Documented results of energy use were part of successful applications by nine school administrators for retrofitting grants. (MLF)

This report examines the problem of acoustic inadequacy in the classroom, how it affects students and teachers, and possible solutions. It explains how to predict classroom adequacy for communication by assessing the level of speech in competition with other noise, and the level of that competing noise itself in terms of reverberation that allows…

An informal survey of 20 major urban school districts found that 40% were currently operating in a "break down" maintenance mode. A majority, 57.9%, also indicated they saw considerable benefits in contracting for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance services with outside firms. Offers guidelines in selecting…

The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in older buildings often do not adequately handle air-borne contaminants. Outlines a three-stage Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessment and describes a case in point at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, school. (MLF)

Excerpts from an architect's return to Virginia school almost 12 years after completion of the design and construction project. Originally designed for open-space education in 1975, the school was subsequently partitioned to form traditional classroom spaces. (MLF)

Both existing and new English school premises are required by law to comply with minimum construction standards published by the Department for Education and Employment. This building bulletin provides practical guidance on meeting these standards covering acoustics, lighting, heating and thermal performance, ventilation, water supplies, and…

The process of computerizing the classroom includes the following: (1) selection of the architect and engineer; (2) survey of existing premises; (3) solidifying program of usage and design; (4) school board approval and bond vote; and (5) final design and construction. Also discusses electrical system engineering, spatial design, illumination,…

This technical document is intended to assist school facilities maintenance personnel in the selection, design, and operation of radon reduction systems in schools. The guidance contained in this document is based largely on research conducted in 1987 and 1988 in schools located in Maryland and Virginia. Researchers from the United States…

Data from 100 school systems in 34 states show that public schools are in a state of critical disrepair. The physical deterioration of the schools is the result of a variety of factors--including the rapid increase in energy prices, state tax and expenditure limitation measures, and health and safety requirements--that have reduced spending for…

This manual serves as an energy conservation reference and management guide for school districts. The School District Energy Program (SDEP) is designed to provide information and/or assistance to school administrators planning to implement a comprehensive energy management program. The manual consists of 15 parts. Part 1 describes the SDEP; Parts…