BOARD MEETING DATE: September 11, 2009
AGENDA NO. 4

PROPOSAL:

Add Additional School to Pilot Study of Air Filtration Systems in Schools

SYNOPSIS:

In December 2006 the Board approved a pilot study of air filtration systems in classrooms . The pilot study has been completed. AQMD staff recommends adding an additional school to deploy a new wall-mounted stand-alone air filtration system with the same expected PM removal efficiency and greater cost effectiveness than the stand-alone system tested previously. A school fitting the requirements for evaluating the new stand-alone system has been identified, and this additional work is consistent with the intent of the pilot study. This action is to amend the existing contract with Thermal Comfort Systems, Inc. for the installation and evaluation of the new stand-alone air filtration system for one additional school using the remaining funds from the pilot study.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Authorize the Chairman to amend the existing pilot study contract with Thermal Comfort Systems, Inc. to approve installation and evaluation of the new stand-alone air filtration system for one additional school at a cost not to exceed $50,000 from the Rule 1173 Mitigation Fee Special Revenue Fund (#44)
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In December 2006, the Board approved the execution of a contract with Thermal Comfort Systems, Inc. for a pilot study of classroom air filtration systems in three schools funded by Rule 1173 Mitigation Fee Special Revenue Fund #44. The pilot study with the three schools and a draft final report was completed in July 2009. The final report is undergoing final review and will be released to the public shortly. A new wall-mounted stand-alone air filtration system was designed and needs to be evaluated prior to its implementation at other schools. St. Lucy School, located in the affected area close to the two refineries in the Wilmington and Carson area, has been identified as a suitable testing site for the stand-alone air filtration system. The principal at the school has granted complete access to deploy and evaluate the stand-alone air filtration system. No upgrades or modifications will be made to the school at District expense. The District will purchase and retain ownership of the stand-alone air filtration system. The school’s maintenance staff will provide ongoing maintenance for filter replacement. Deployment could be completed soon after Board approval. The classrooms are also equipped with portable air conditioning units that will allow for sufficient air flow to maximize PM removal efficiency of the stand-alone air filtration systems.
 

Proposal

Staff proposes to amend the pilot study contract to add an additional school for evaluation of a new wall-mounted stand-alone air filtration system using the remaining funds from the pilot study. Air flow characteristics and effectiveness will be spot-checked within three months of deployment. Replacement filters for the stand-alone systems will be provided to the school for the next three years. The contractor will train the school’s maintenance staff on maintenance for the stand-alone air filtration system, provide a written maintenance manual for school maintenance staff, conduct maintenance testing to confirm satisfactory performance of the stand-alone system, and write a post-installation report on the installation showing the performance of the stand-alone system.
 

Benefits to AQMD

Evaluation of the new stand-alone air filtration system will provide the necessary data to support installation of a more cost effective stand-alone system in smaller classrooms which do not have existing HVAC systems. This will meet a community need to address air quality impacts at local schools and reduce PM levels of indoor air.
 

Resource Impacts

Deployment and evaluation of the new stand-alone air filtration unit can be accomplished for under $50,000, using the remaining funds in the pilot study contract. Sufficient funds are available from the Rule 1173 Mitigation Fees Special Revenue Fund.