Indoor Air Quality
Name(s) _______________________________________________________
School ________________________________________________________
Date __________________________________________________________
Use the following checklist to guide you through an Indoor Air Quality Walkthrough
of your school site. Check each item that you observe and note whether the situation
is OK or describe any obvious problems.
The Walkthrough inspection is not intended to be an intensive and detailed
inspection, but rather a quick overview of the conditions that affect the quality
of air within your school.
You may need to have someone who is familiar with the operations of the building,
such as a custodian or plant supervisor, assist you during the inspection, particularly
of certain areas, such as the roof.
During your Walkthrough inspection, you can learn a lot by using your sense
of sight, smell, feeling, and hearing to gain information on factors that affect
air quality. Look for pollutant sources such as mold, dirty air filters, blocked
air intakes, or water damage. Smell odors such as mold, mildew, "chemical"
smells or excessive perfumes. Feel for uncomfortable air temperatures, air flowing
into or out of air vents, and high or low humidity. Listen to concerns of individuals
about conditions, air blowing out of supply vents, or unusual equipment noises.
INDOOR INSPECTION
Classrooms and Other Areas:
- Location/Observation
- Are temperature and humidity within acceptable levels? __________________________
- Is air flowing into and out of the room as designed? Are supply and exhaust
vents blocked? __________________________
- Are there objectionable odors?__________________________
- Are there signs of mold or mildew growth? Signs of water damage? __________________________
- Is the area generally clean and dust under control? __________________________
- Is there evidence of pests or obvious food sources? __________________________
- Do the room occupants report any concerns or problems? __________________________
Bathrooms and General Plumbing:
- Bathrooms and restrooms have Operating exhaust fans? _________________________
- All drains have traps?_________________________
- Are drain traps filled with water (floor, sink, toilet)? _________________________
Maintenance Supplies:
- Are odorous or hazardous chemicals used with adequate ventilation and when
building is unoccupied? ________________________
- Is air exhausted from chemical storage areas and trash storage areas? ________________________
Combustion Appliances:
- Location/Observation
- Are combustion gas or fuel odors ever detected? _________________________
- Do combustion appliances have flues (e.g., furnaces, boilers,water heaters)
or exhaust hoods (e.g., kitchen range, kilns)? ________________________
- Are there leaks, disconnections,deterioration, or soot in flue components?
________________________
- Is there evidence of backdrafting or gas spillage from appliances? ________________________
Other:
- If the building was built before 1980, is there any peeling or flaking
paint inside or outside that may contain lead? _______________________
- Have radon measurements been performed? _______________________
OUTDOOR INSPECTION
Ground Level:
- Are ventilation units on and air is flowing into outdoor air intakes? _______________________
- Is there blockage to the outdoor air intakes (boards, vegetation,etc.)?
_______________________
- Are there bird or animal nests or droppings near outdoor air intakes? _______________________
- Location/Observation
- Are garbage dumpsters located near doors, windows, or outdoor air intakes?
_________________________
- Is there painting or maintenance of the exterior building in the vicinity
of outdoor air intakes? _________________________
- Are there potential sources of air contaminants in the vicinity of the
building (e.g., industrials stacks, chimneys, etc.)? _________________________
- Is there vehicle exhaust (auto, truck, bus) near outdoor air intakes? _________________________
- Is there exterior pesticide application? _________________________
- Do roof downspouts drain water away from building? _________________________
- Is there good site drainage away from buildings? _________________________
- Do sprinklers water excessively near buildings or over-spray onto building?
_________________________
- Are there clean walk-off mats at every exterior entrance? _________________________
Roof:
- Is roof in good repair?________________________
- Is there evidence of ponding?________________________
- Are ventilation units on and air flowing into outdoor air intakes? ________________________
- Are outdoor air intakes open, even at minimum setting? ________________________
- Location/Observations
- Are there bird or animal nests or droppings near outdoor air intakes? ________________________
- Are there plumbing stacks within 10 feet of outdoor air intakes? ________________________
- Are exhaust fans operating and air flowing out? ________________________
- Are any exhaust air outlets within 10 feet of outdoor air intakes? ________________________
Attic:
- Is there evidence of roof or plumbing leaks? ________________________
- Are there bird or animal nests?_______________________