In public and educational institutions, indoor air quality is essential. However, few people are truly familiar with the regulations concerning IAQ. If you're here, it's because you're looking for information about the obligations you must meet. In that case, read on.

Why is indoor air quality (IAQ) important?

People spend a significant amount of time in public institutions, particularly schools. Consider schools, where children and teenagers spend at least 30% of their time indoors. The more time spent in a room, the higher the carbon dioxide concentration.

Beyond simply the presence of people in rooms, air quality is influenced by numerous factors, such as ventilation, air circulation, cleaning products used, and the external environment. Depending on all these elements, air quality can be severely degraded, which can be dangerous to health, especially for young children or people with fragile health. That's why the indoor air quality in public establishments and school-related issues must absolutely be checked regularly to avoid any problems.

Poor air quality can lead to various consequences. When The air is too polluted.This can be detrimental to people's health. Schools have many young children. It is therefore essential to allow them to attend classes in rooms where the air is perfectly clean.

What are the regulations concerning indoor air quality?

In recent years, new laws have been introduced concerning indoor air quality (IAQ). For example, since 2018, IAQ monitoring has been mandatory for nurseries, preschools, and primary schools. However, since 2020, this requirement has also applied to middle schools, high schools, and leisure centers, and since 2023, all other educational institutions and training centers have also been subject to this regulation.

This inspection must be carried out at least every 7 years and aims to assess the levels of CO2, benzene, tetrachloroethylene, and formaldehyde in the rooms concerned. These tests are crucial for verifying indoor air quality. Therefore, if you are the operator or owner of a public or educational establishment, do not neglect these inspections, as they are not only mandatory, but also essential for the safety of everyone inside these establishments.

In this area, the law is becoming increasingly strict. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a hefty fine. It is therefore your responsibility to have your indoor air quality checked regularly, not only to avoid any problems, but above all, because the health of many people is at stake.

How to assess indoor air quality?

As you probably suspect, you can't control indoor air quality yourself. It's a specialized field requiring specific knowledge and the right equipment. Therefore, to ensure the air in your establishment is healthy, you'll need to call in a certified professional. They will check, among other things, your ventilation system, air vents, and the levels of pollutants in the air.

In this area, prevention is key. Therefore, at the slightest doubt, call in a specialist company to carry out an inspection. Furthermore, it is recommended to install CO2 sensors in every room; this is even a recommendation from the Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports. A room with many people that is not sufficiently ventilated accumulates CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the air, which can be harmful to health. Consequently, with CO2 sensors installed in the main rooms, you can more easily monitor the CO2 level and know when it is essential to ventilate.

What solutions are there in case of poor indoor air quality?

As explained previously, maintaining optimal indoor air quality is crucial. Regular checks allow you to detect the potential presence of pollutants. But before resorting to such measures, you can adopt a few preventative practices. First, you should frequently open windows to refresh the air inside the room, even in winter. Additionally, you should check the functionality of your ventilation system and clean it if dust has accumulated on the grille. If your ventilation system is no longer working, have it repaired immediately, as this can lead not only to inadequate air renewal but also to the growth of humidity and mold.

In addition, keep in mind that even with a good ventilation system or efficient air circulation, you won't be able to eliminate all pollutants and viruses found in the air. That's why it's recommended to also install an air purifier. It's the most effective way to provide clean, healthy, and pure air for everyone inside your school or public building.

Now that you are familiar with the regulatory requirements regarding indoor air quality, all that remains is for you to put the advice given in this article into practice. These laws have been significantly strengthened since the Covid-19 crisis, which is a good thing considering how polluted the air is in some establishments. While air quality was once an important issue, today it has become essential, even vital. Many regions in France even offer financial assistance to help owners or operators of public or educational establishments equip themselves with air purifiers. Don't hesitate to inquire to find out if any assistance is available in your municipality.

In any case, do not neglect air quality checks.