Smarter Technologies explores how smart technology can help resource managers and headteachers make school environments as safe as possible
With pupils due to return to school on March 8, there are a number of safety measures that schools must implement to ensure the health and well-being of staff, students and school communities.
The first lockout and closure of schools that introduced pandemic infection introduced a “warning bullet” to managers of educational facilities, prompting headteachers to review school safety standards. Now that the third lock is here and schools have been closed for a second time, anyone behind the loop with the benefits of smart technology should now board before children return to the environment of the school. And with the ever-changing strains of the COVID-19 virus, schools cannot be “late to class” when it comes to health and safety.
Some schools in the U.S. have been using smart technologies for a while to measure resource consumption and efficiency, streamline maintenance and strengthen overall school safety. Now, these technologies play an important role in keeping school buildings healthy and preventing the spread of disease.
So, let’s take a look at how smart technology can help schools become safer, as well as more energy efficient and cost effective.
Thermal detection cameras
Smart cameras placed at school entry points can take away the manual work of a temperature test. These cameras provide real-time, real-time temperature of individuals in real time. If a high temperature is detected, the software will immediately notify the relevant party. It can also be set to deny access to those with high temperatures or to people who do not wear masks.
Safer water
As the coronavirus continues to sweep through the world’s population, health care providers should be heightened alert for Legionnaires’ disease, another potential cause of major seizures. similar symptoms. Legionella are deadly bacteria that can trap school water supply and cause outbreaks of Legionnaires ’disease. It is the responsibility of school care to prevent Legionella infection by monitoring the risk of bacterial spread.
Especially as schools reopen and previously dead plumbing and cooling systems return to use, additional Legionella cases could bring the ugly head back into emergency departments in the coming months . A trace of Legionella was recently found in a school in Worcester County. The school had to remain closed while treatment and testing took place.
The Health and Safety Executive advises: “If your premises were closed or reduced during the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), water system stagnation can occur due to lack of use, increases the risks of Legionnaires’ disease… If the water system is still in regular use, maintain the appropriate measures to prevent the growth of legionella. ”
Managing Legionella risk usually involves running out for two minutes, taking and recording the temperature of the water to make sure it does not help with growth. Legionella. This is a time consuming process, which is why schools are looking at automated water temperature monitoring systems. This sleek system with automatic water flow and temperature tests reports and records water temperature data in real time. Immediate alerts will alert relevant staff if water temperatures fall within “Legionella friendly” parameters.
Cleaner air
Councilors say improving air filtration and ventilation in schools can help ease COVID-19 airborne transmission. Strategies include:
- Increases outdoor air ventilation
- Filtering indoor air
- Using portable air purifiers with HEPA filters
Smart construction technologies such as advanced HVAC controls can help facility managers promote cleaner air with less hassle. For example, HVAC smart systems use sensors to monitor speed and control variables such as:
- Humidity
- Temperature
- Indoor air quality
- The level of carbon dioxide and other pollutants
- This technology is also energy efficient and cost effective.
While these solutions may be fundamental in the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 era, they also have long-term benefits. While COVID-19 may have accelerated the adoption of smart technology, many of these solutions focus on overall health, well-being and safety; which has been missing in school systems for a long time.