Operating facilities more efficiently is always a worthwhile goal, but when education budgets are shrinking, the quest for efficiency becomes a necessity. In the funding climate that schools and universities find themselves, building managers will be fortunate to hang on to the budget they have, let alone receive the resources they need to address…

This document describes a 1998 commissioning statute passed by the Minnesota legislature requiring that mechanical HVAC systems undergo an inspection process to uncover and rectify problems before or shortly after a school building is occupied. The document presents the statute, describes the commissioning/system-inspection process and optional…

Planning new construction is an opportunity to recognize indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues. Provides an overview of some common IEQ issues associated with construction projects. A building's heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is by far the single most common cause of IEQ problems and complaints. (MLF)

The manual presents material designed to acquaint housing inspectors and their supervisors with the origin of public concern about housing problems; the past, present, and new approaches to housing code administration; the expanded role of the inspection function in the neighborhood improvement effort; and the general nature of their role and…

Reports on research at six Florida schools that identified common contributors to poor indoor air quality. Discusses the reasons behind the state implementing the research, the many problems associated with elevated humidity levels, and ways to improve air quality, which includes effective operational systems and maintenance procedures. (RJM)

Outlines some of the myriad factors affecting a facility's indoor air quality (IAQ). Offers strategies for addressing complaints, establishing trust, adjusting guidelines, addressing legislative concerns, and plotting a course for improved IAQ. Describes how one state was able to implement an IAQ program for its schools. (RJM)

Discusses how attempts to establish a more comprehensive standard have undermined indoor air quality and energy efficiency revisions. Describes the Building Owners and Managers Association's major opposition to the revisions and their complaint that the revisions would require drastic changes in structures. Summarizes the debate about what to do…

In January, 1913, Ennion U. William, M. D., commissioner of health of Virginia; Hon. Joseph D. Eggleston, retiring superintendent of public instruction; R. C. Stearns, his successor; and W. H. Heck, Ph. D., professor of education in the University of Virginia, projected an intensive survey of the white and colored schools and school children of…

The Fourth International Congress of School Hygiene, held at Buffalo, New York, August 25-30, was a notable event in the progress of health supervision as a part of public education. Because of its importance, the author was detailed to attend this conference and prepare a report of it. This report contains three parts: (1) An introduction giving…