The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) surveyed how certain schools in the United States were executing ventilation improvement strategies within their buildings. The data was gathered as a part of the National School COVID-19 Prevention Study (NSCPS). The NSCPS’ was designed to help all stakeholders better understand what strategies could be used to deter the spread of COVID-19 within schools. Conducted throughout 2021, the effort examined ventilation improvement strategies within different sized communities and social groups. Over 420 schools took part in the survey.
Different schools reported how they sought to improve overall ventilation. Thirty-nine percent of respondents said they took steps to strengthen school HVAC infrastructure by upgrading current equipment or outright replacing existing hardware.
Data gathered in the MSCPS will be used to document changes in how schools implement COVID-19 resistance measures. Responses will also be used to inform future CDC guidance on the subject. SMACNA has resources on its website designed to help school administrators consider and launch a project to improve the indoor environmental quality of their school buildings.
