As the school year progresses in various formats, Trane® – by Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator – introduces expanded services to help schools evaluate, implement and fund indoor air quality improvements in their buildings.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) play a critical role in creating proper indoor air quality. ASHRAE® guidelines to address COVID-19 in the reopening of schools indicate that making changes to the operation of HVAC systems can mitigate exposure to airborne contaminants.
Healthy indoor air quality
“As schools bring back students for part-time or full-time in-person learning, healthy indoor air quality is a chief concern alongside other safety practices including wearing masks and social distancing,” said Donny Simmons, president, Commercial HVAC Americas at Trane Technologies. “HVAC systems, properly applied, are an important aspect of addressing environmental concerns within a school.”
A thorough assessment is a helpful starting point for schools to understand their indoor air quality needs
A thorough assessment is a helpful starting point for schools to understand their indoor air quality needs. The Trane® Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessment focuses on four critical pillars of indoor air quality – dilute, exhaust, contain and clean. The fact-based assessment equips school building managers with a clear and cost-effective roadmap for improvements that will bring facilities into alignment with CDC and industry recommendations.
Isolation space evaluation
The Trane IAQ Assessment now includes a supplemental isolation space evaluation to help schools better prepare for scenarios where students or staff experience symptoms while on campus. The evaluation can help schools create an isolation space in line with industry recommendations, including stringent guidelines for air exchanges, negative pressurization and other criteria.
Trane’s comprehensive suite of solutions address conditions and recommendations across all four critical pillars of indoor air quality, including cleaning the environment to actively reduce the number of microbiologicals that may be in the air or on surfaces. Air cleaning technologies range from high-rated MERV or HEPA filters, to Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) and photocatalytic oxidation.
Air cleaning solutions
Trane now offers Synexis®-made Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHPTM) solutions to K-12 schools in the U.S
To meet the evolving needs of schools and increased demand for air cleaning solutions, Trane now offers Synexis®-made Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHPTM) solutions to K-12 schools in the U.S. to help reduce the presence of viruses, bacteria, and mold in the air and on surfaces.
Synexis® is the sole developer of the process by which naturally occurring humidity and oxygen are taken from the air to create DHPTM, which reduces the presence of unwanted microbes that may be present in the air and on surfaces, continuously improving indoor air quality and surface cleanliness. Synexis® solutions can be integrated into a school’s existing HVAC system or used as a portable, standalone unit in any room to treat the air and any surface the air touches, making it an ideal application for school isolation spaces, classrooms and high traffic areas like cafeterias and hallways.
Best air quality solutions
“Our customers count on Trane to bring them the best air quality solutions and strategies available, and we’re pleased to expand our portfolio with Synexis® solutions for schools,” said Simmons. “Implementing HVAC best practices and innovative air cleaning technologies, such as Synexis®, are ways schools can go on the offensive to help improve indoor air quality and create more peace of mind for students, faculty, administrators and parents.”
“For many schools, the central issue is not whether they need indoor air quality improvements, but how they will they fund them – especially in a year marked by many other unplanned expenses,” said Simmons. “Trane’s expanded and flexible financing options help school districts move forward with the indoor air quality improvements they need now.”
Delivering fast implementation
Trane K-12 experts help schools evaluate the most affordable ways to pay for IAQ upgrades
Trane Integrated Funding Solutions (IFS) includes Leasing and Managed Services Agreement options with deferred payment plans and extended terms for qualifying school districts. Additionally, Trane K-12 experts help schools evaluate the most affordable ways to pay for IAQ upgrades, including leveraging CARES Act funding, grants, utility rebates, and other available resources.
The program is designed to help address schools’ financial constraints by eliminating immediate out-of-pocket expenses, preserving working capital and other forms of credit and delivering fast implementation of needed improvements. With flexible funding support, school districts can make needed upgrades to maintain proper indoor air quality now and help minimize impacts on operating budgets.
“It’s a complex time for schools, and there is no single solution for all environments,” said Simmons. “Every school may have different needs – and variables – when it comes to indoor air quality. The bottom line is schools should work with a trusted partner and take a strategic, fact-based approach to make the best use of their budget and investments.”
