Enhancing Indoor Air Quality in Schools with Window Automation

In Australia, the demand for educational institutions is growing. Furthermore, more institutions are choosing to upgrade facilities to meet contemporary standards for health, performance and sustainability.

It is essential for architects and specifiers to understand the unique design requirements for educational institutions and account for the impact of designs on student health and wellbeing. This applies to window design – specifically window automation – and how this can improve indoor air quality and enhance health and performance outcomes.

Understanding the Requirements

The National Construction Code (NCC) Volume 1 establishes the relevant requirements for schools and other educational facilities, which are categorised as Class 9b buildings. The key sections are as follows:

• Section F establishes the health and amenity requirements for Class 9b buildings. In this section, FP4.3 sets out the performance requirements for ventilation, providing that, in a space used by occupants, ventilation with outdoor air to maintain adequate air quality is required. • Section J establishes energy efficiency requirements for Class 9b buildings, which are detailed in JP1 and JP3 within this section.

JP1 references the need for a building to include energy efficient features for sealing the building envelope against air leaking and utilising air movement to assist heating and cooling. Window automation facilitates these requirements by enabling natural ventilation per the requirements in Section F4.

Window Automation: A Design Solution

Remote window operation is a threepart mechanical solution involving the following elements:

1. The actuator is the component responsible for physically opening and shutting the window. When selecting an actuator, architects and specifiers need to consider:

• fitness for purpose;

• compliance with wind loads;

• noise level of actuator when in operation;

• safety features;

• size of actuator; and

• additional functions including interaction with building management systems (BMS).

2. Cabling should be determined at tender stage in line with functionality, window locations, desired control panel location, and the chosen actuator.

3. Controls should provide a clear interface between users and the actuator. Panel size, cost and functionality are key design considerations.

The Importance of an Integrated Solution

Specification of a window automation system is ideally undertaken by a single contractor to: • ensure each of the three components work effectively and efficiently together; and • enable cohesion across costing, technical capabilities and installation requirements. When designing for schools, integration of window automation with existing systems can enhance operation and comfort. Integration with the BMS and security systems can enable automated window closure when the building is not occupied. Automated closure can also be enabled during inclement weather or a power failure. A “night purge” function can be implemented to exhaust stale air and CO2 from the classroom.

EBSA

EBSA Pty Ltd is a leading Australian manufacturer and supplier of window automation and louvre installations, combining functionality and aesthetics. EBSA leverages the latest window and automation technology to deliver systems that support the natural flow of light and air in contemporary commercial, residential and educational buildings.

With offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and the recently launched New Zealand office in Auckland, EBSA solutions promote health, performance and sustainability across the Australian and New Zealand markets.

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