Ventilation in NSW schools
The NSW Department of Education’s asset use recommendations are informed by:
- NSW Health advice
- Research from the Doherty Institute
- Guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Independent peer reviewed expert advice from building services consultants Steensen Varming
- The results of the Clean Air Schools program.
Department of Education’s ventilation and asset use strategy
Phase 1 - Audit of all schools - Completed
A statewide review of all NSW public schools has been completed with school Principals provided with localised audit reports on individual spaces.
The Department of Education received independent expert ventilation advice supported by research from the Doherty Institute and guidance by the World Health Organisation.
Phase 2 - Customise to local school conditions - Completed
Principals and local Asset Services Officers assessed ventilation requirements in each school setting using their ventilation reports. Remediation works were completed to meet safety and occupancy guidelines.
Phase 3 - Ongoing support
Local Asset Services Officers continue to work with schools to support ventilation in classrooms.
The department continues to emphasise the importance of natural ventilation to maintain air quality through the following measures:
- open windows and doors on multiple sides of the room
- maximise air movement by turning on ceiling fans
- keep windows and doors open when utilising heating and air conditioning systems
- if outdoor air quality is poor (i.e. bushfire smoke or thunderstorm asthma), close windows and doors and set air conditioners to recirculate air where possible
- air purifiers should be used in conjunction with open doors and windows where possible.
Ventilation guidelines
If your school uses unflued gas heaters, please follow these guidelines:
1. Classrooms with cross-ventilation (windows or openings on both sides of the room):
- In still or mild wind conditions, open the top sash of at least one window on each side of the room to approximately 50mm. If other types of windows are installed, an equivalent opening can be estimated.
- In higher wind conditions, the side where the wind is blowing in through the window may be completely closed, while the openings on other windows can be adjusted to maintain equivalent ventilation.
2. Classrooms without cross-ventilation:
- Open the top sash of at least 2 windows on an external wall by at least 50mm to ensure proper airflow.
3. Classrooms with fixed ventilation:
- For classrooms fitted with ceiling grilles or other fixed ventilation methods (fresh air intake system or extraction fans), please follow the general directions mentioned above. In most cases these systems are automated. For clarification on requirements, reach out to your Asset Services Officer.
The above guidelines can also be used in classrooms without unflued gas heaters to maintain adequate air quality.
Alternative heating options
We also encourage the use of alternative heating options such as:
- reverse cycle air conditioning
- flued gas heating.
While these systems do not exhaust combustion products into classrooms, it is still crucial to maintain some level of ventilation. Even with proper heating or cooling, the respiration of people in the room can lead to elevated levels of carbon dioxide. Therefore, ensuring adequate airflow is necessary for maintaining air quality for a productive learning environment.
Ventilation can be achieved through various means depending on the age and construction of your school building. This may include:
- wall or ceiling vents for passive ventilation
- turbo ventilators on the roof
- extraction fans for active ventilation
- fresh air intake systems installed in windows/walls that introduce fresh air into the space automatically.
- leaving a window or door slightly ajar.
For more information on managing thermal comfort in classrooms, visit the Thermal Management webpage (staff only).
Ventilation during bushfires or poor outdoor air quality
It’s important for all schools to be prepared for the possibility of smoke, as a result of fires or hazard-reduction burning.
The following precautions can help you minimise the adverse effects of bushfire smoke:
- staying indoors, with windows and doors closed, or staying in air-conditioned premises, if possible.
- avoiding vigorous exercise, especially if you or your students have asthma or a lung condition.
Further information regarding respiratory issues and bushfire smoke is available on the NSW Health website.
Opening windows and doors wherever possible, generally provides the best quality ventilation. When that's not possible due to smoke, however, schools should close doors and windows and use air purifiers together with electric fans or air conditioning systems.
Schools can also obtain further information about planning for bushfires through the department's bushfire planning and response web page(staff only).
Air purifiers do not replace ventilation provided by open windows and doors but can be used when it is not suitable to have them open such as when outside air quality is poor.
Previous advice published relating to the departments ventilation and asset use recommendations can be found on the asset review and ventilation page.
