Policy
This policy describes how to ventilate indoor school spaces, maximise the use of outdoor spaces and operate air purifiers to reduce the risk of airborne infectious disease transmission, and improve indoor air quality.
Summary
- Ventilating indoor spaces reduces the risk of transmission of airborne infectious diseases in schools in higher-risk spaces and during higher-risk times.
- The department has identified higher-risk spaces as rooms where staff and students are gathered for an extended period of time and/or where there are high levels of mixing of staff and students in a poorly ventilated room.
- Higher-risk times refer to the winter months (June, July and August) as this is when airborne infectious disease transmission typically peaks.
- Higher-risk times can also refer to bushfire seasons, when there is poor air quality.
- To reduce the risk of catching or passing airborne infectious diseases to others in higher-risk spaces and at higher-risk times, schools are recommended to:
- maximise fresh air flow into all indoor spaces (for example, by opening windows and doors)
- increase the use of outdoor learning areas wherever practicable
- use air purifiers alongside natural and mechanical ventilation
- minimise the use of indoor space that can’t be ventilated with outside air.
- Schools should implement measures for a safe and comfortable learning environment (for example, considering thermal and noise comfort) with ventilation strategies in place.
- Air purifiers can also be used when there is poor air quality – refer to Air Quality – Impact of Smoke on Health.
- Staff who move or lift air purifiers must follow the occupational health and safety measures in this policy to minimise the risk of injury. Refer to the Guidance tab.
- Resources for schools, including printable fact sheets and a poster to display in classrooms and other school spaces, are available on the Resources tab.
- It is recommended that schools maintain their air purifiers and schools can record maintenance activities in their quarterly general workplace safety inspection checklist.
Details
Ventilation brings fresh outdoor air into an indoor space. It reduces the number of small droplets or aerosols in the air that can carry bacteria and viruses. An air purifier can filter droplets, aerosol, dust and other particles if it is correctly used and well-maintained. These improvements in indoor air quality can reduce the spread of airborne illness, and protect the health of students and staff who are sensitive to allergens.
Schools can reduce the risk of airborne infectious disease transmission in higher-risk spaces and at higher-risk times through:
- increasing ventilation of indoor spaces
- reducing the use of spaces that can’t be ventilated with fresh air
- using air purifiers to assist ventilation.
The department has identified higher-risk spaces as rooms where staff and students are gathered for an extended period of time and/or where there are high levels of mixing of staff and students in a poorly ventilated room. These spaces include:
- general purpose classrooms
- group learning spaces
- staff rooms
- multipurpose learning spaces (for example, learning communities)
- lecture rooms
- art classrooms
- drama classrooms
- food technology classrooms
- staff rooms.
Higher-risk times refer to the winter months (June, July and August) as this is when airborne infectious disease transmission typically peaks.
Ventilation and air purification are important strategies in the broader suite of controls to reduce the risk of airborne infectious disease transmission in school settings. These strategies can be used with other measures, such as vaccination, good hygiene, cleaning, mask use and staying home when unwell.
There are 2 ways indoor air quality can be improved:
- ventilation – bringing in outside air by opening windows and doors or by using mechanical systems (such as air-conditioning systems and fans)
- air purification – using air purifiers to filter the air.
Where practical, schools can also reduce the risk of airborne infectious disease transmission by using outdoor learning areas in place of indoor learning areas.
Ventilation
Schools are encouraged to maximise fresh air flow into all indoor spaces. Ensuring adequate ventilation is one of the most effective measures to keep schools safe. The most effective strategies for using ventilation to improve indoor air quality will vary depending on the room and the equipment available to the school. A common strategy is opening windows and doors to allow air flow. If inclement weather does not permit open windows and doors all day, consider opening them intermittently for short durations, for example, for 10 minutes every hour.
Schools are strongly encouraged to fix windows that are designed to be opened but do not open, through their general maintenance processes. This should be funded by a school’s Student Resource Package maintenance funding.
In some instances, schools are required to balance the requirement to bring in outside air with the risk of students absconding from their learning spaces. Schools are encouraged to consider and implement solutions such as installing fly screens for windows, mesh security doors for doorways, and indoor safety gates. Schools can speak to their regional provision and planning manager for further advice and assistance on window maintenance.
Refer to 'Using ventilation to improve indoor air quality' under the Resources tab for further information.
Maximise the use of outdoor learning areas
Alongside the use of various ventilation methods, schools are encouraged to conduct outdoor learning whenever and as much as practicable, noting that there may be less opportunity in winter months.
Schools can identify spaces that could be used for outdoor learning. These spaces could be areas that are already sheltered and shaded. The use of this space could be rotated between classes.
Schools can consider options to set up different spaces, depending on weather conditions.
Air Purifier Program
The department initiated an Air Purifier Program during the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide all government schools with air purifiers and filters to protect staff and students. While there are now high levels of vaccination rates in Victoria, the Air Purifier Program will continue to operate until the end of 2025. Air purifiers will continue to be provided by the department to all new schools, kindergartens on school sites, new buildings, and relocatable buildings. Limited filters will be available during this time.
Air purifiers complement ventilation methods by removing infectious particles from the air. They do not replace other ventilation methods. Air purifiers filter existing air within a space and do not bring in outside air.
Air purifiers can be used alongside open windows and doors and with mechanical ventilation in operation. Additionally, schools are encouraged to use air purifiers if it is not possible to keep doors and windows open all day (for example, due to inclement weather).
The department encourages schools to continue using their air purifiers during higher-risk times and in higher-risk spaces.
Schools are responsible for the general maintenance and cleaning of their air purifiers. Schools can complete their air purifier maintenance as part of their quarterly general workplace safety inspection checklist. It is recommended that schools include air purifier maintenance and cleaning in their School Maintenance Plan. Refer to the maintenance and cleaning of air purifiers guidance chapter for further information.
Funding for maintenance and cleaning of air purifiers
As with the regular maintenance of school assets, school staff do not need to undertake the maintenance and cleaning of air purifiers themselves. Schools can choose to use Student Resource Package (SRP) funding and other school funds.
If a school’s budget and cashflow statement shows insufficient funds for tasks such as cleaning air purifier pre-filters, schools can contact the School Financial Management Support Unit at schools.finance.support@education.vic.gov.au
If the School Financial Management Support Unit establishes that a school cannot meet the cost associated with the maintenance of air purifiers using the above mechanisms, additional funding may be provided.
Damage or theft of air purifiers
For operational issues and faults with air purifiers, call Samsung on 1300 362 603 (then select option 9, option 6). Units provided to schools do not require proof of purchase for servicing. Schools are advised to provide the unit serial number and inform service centres that the unit is part of the Victorian Department of Education rollout. Schools are advised to contact Samsung directly (on the above number) to replace faulty or damaged units under warranty.
In certain circumstances, the department will replace air purifiers that are not covered under warranty. These include some instances of accidental damage or theft.
In the event of theft of an air purifier, schools should report the theft to the police in the first instance. When reporting a stolen air purifier to the department, schools should include a statutory declaration.
To request replacement air purifiers, please complete the air purifier replacement form found in the Resources tab and send to airpurifiers@education.vic.gov.au
Excess air purifiers
If a school has sufficient air purifiers to cover higher-risk spaces, they can consider using additional units in spaces with a lower risk.
If schools have enough units to cover all higher-risk spaces, the department can receive surplus units if they are unopened. Schools can email airpurifiers@education.vic.gov.au to arrange a pick up.
Excess air purifiers that have been opened can be donated to a local government school, kindergarten or child care facility. Refer to the Donating Furniture and Equipment policy for further information. Schools wishing to donate must also review Section 13 of the Finance Manual for Victorian Government Schools to ensure compliance with any transfer or disposal requirements outlined in the policy.
School purchase of air purifiers
Schools can purchase additional air purifiers. When choosing the type of air purifier, schools should consider the specifications required for an air purifier to be effective in the intended space, including having capacity sufficient for the room size. It is recommended that schools consider the following factors before purchasing and deploying air purifiers:
- Air purifiers equipped with a HEPA filter are preferred. Air purifiers with a lower grade filter may not be as efficient in removing airborne viral particles or not remove these at all.
- The size of the air cleaner device needs to be appropriate to the space it will be used in.
- The effectiveness of the device in removing particulates in the air. The clean air delivery rate measurements are based on the space and volume of clean air produced.
Air purifiers that use UV or ionisers are not recommended. UV aerosol disinfection can pose potential health risks and the installation of such devices requires extensive professional consultation.
Additional detail on considerations when purchasing air purifiers can be found in Department of Health guidance: COVID-19: Ventilation principles and strategies to reduce aerosol transmission in community and workplace .
Definitions
Air purifier
An air purifier is an indoor portable device that filters domestic or industrial air, and which is used primarily to remove pollution, improve air quality, and purify the air.
Ventilation
The circulation of fresh air.
Related policies
- Air Quality – Impact of Smoke on Health
- Asthma
- COVID-19 – School Operations
- Cleaning
- Environmental Hygiene
- Manual Handling
- Noise Management
- School Maintenance Plans and Rolling Facilities Evaluations
- Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment
Relevant legislation
Occupational Health and Safety Act – section 21(1) requires an employer to, so far as is reasonably practicable, provide and maintain for employees of the employer a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
Contacts
For general advice on the Air Purifier Program, schools can contact:
airpurifiers@education.vic.gov.au
For further advice and assistance on window maintenance, a school’s regional provision and planning manager should be the first point of contact.
North eastern Victoria region
Damien Hanwright
Damien.Hanwright@education.vic.gov.au
03 7022 1172
North western Victoria region
Jeanette Stubbs
Jeanette.Stubbs@education.vic.gov.au
03 8468 9224
South eastern Victoria region
Darren Clarke
Darren.Clarke@education.vic.gov.au
03 8904 2559
South western Victoria region
Kimberley Bendall
Kimberley.Bendall@education.vic.gov.au
03 9194 6305
Reviewed 09 August 2024