Public Sector Reports

School Ventilation Upgrades

In April 2021, the Government of Canada announced plans to invest $525.2 million towards projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream-Education Related Projects (CVRIS-EDU), as part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). In addition, the Government of Ontario confirmed its contribution of more than $131.4 million to projects across Ontario.

The funding includes:

• Almost $450 million for HVAC upgrades and improvements to air quality
• Up to $65 million to support physical distancing for students and staff
• Up to $60 million will be invested in technology to help facilitate remote learning
• Up to $80 million will go towards supporting health and safety initiatives, such as installing hand washing stations or touchless faucets and soap dispensers.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) was successful in securing $7,485,000 in funding related to the parameters above. Canada and Ontario’s deadline for completing projects is December 31, 2021.

Approximately 44 line items or individual requests were approved of the nearly 200 that were requested and summarized below.

• Bottle filling stations – 12 locations.
• Infrared water faucets c.w. new stainless sinks where required – 12 locations.
• Ventilation improvements (new air handling units, ductwork), air conditioning where designated, and new windows – 31 locations
• Portable replacement – 1 location.

To view the list of projects, download the 2022 TLDSB School Ventilation Report.

Other Ventilation Upgrades

Air exchange

We are ensuring air is being exchanged, and fresh air is entering occupied spaces. Building fresh air was increased where possible through building automation systems to maximize ventilation rates. These increases were confirmed by reviewing damper positioning visually.

TLDSB instituted “air flushes” of all spaces that receive mechanical ventilation before occupants enter the buildings. Done daily by having mechanical systems operate in ‘occupied’ mode starting at 6 a.m. before students enter the building. The ‘occupied’ mode remains in effect until 11:59 p.m.

HEPA filter

Portable HEPA filter units are provided in accordance with the Ministry’s direction, which includes schools without mechanical ventilation and in Kindergarten spaces regardless of the ventilation system in place.

Duct sealing

Several schools had duct sealing take place in ventilation systems. Aerosolized duct sealing is designed to eliminate air leakage from ductwork, resulting in better HVAC efficiency, increased ventilation, and improved filtration. Buildings eligible for duct sealing can potentially see an average increased airflow of 25 to 45 per cent.

Ventilation Frequently Asked Questions

What steps did TLDSB take in the 2020-2021 school year?

• Mechanical ventilation installations and upgrades have been or are being implemented – please see the link above.
• MERV 13 filters were installed in all existing and any new ventilation systems to ensure a higher particulate removal rate and increased frequency of filter changes.
• Duct sealing took place at eight locations to increase (average of 20 per cent) ventilation rates to spaces receiving supplied air.

What is TLDSB doing now?

• TLDSB Facility Services will continue to ensure that air is being exchanged, and fresh air is entering occupied spaces. Building fresh air was increased where possible through building automation systems to maximize ventilation rates.
• “Air flushes” of all spaces will take place before occupants re-entering buildings. This will take place daily by having mechanical systems operate in “occupied” mode, which provides ventilation to the building, starting at 6 a.m. before students and staff enter the building. Systems will continue to operate in this mode throughout the day.
• Ongoing quarterly (or more frequently if required) filter change-outs will continue.
• Completion of the 30 ventilation projects being funded through the CVRIS program will take place.
• An additional 10 locations will receive duct sealing with an average of 20 per cent increase in ventilation rates expected.
• Portable HEPA filter units provided in accordance with the Ministry’s direction and will be maintained at or better than the manufacturer’s instructions. An appropriate quantity of spare filters are available to replace a unit due to failure.