Science Teams Activities

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Development Of The City Challenges

But how to act in case of too high values?

If the temperature is too high in the rooms with air conditioning (EDP), it is turned on. In some rooms (e.g. NW rooms) there are self-sufficient air-conditioning systems that are turned on when the temperature is too high. In rooms without air-conditioning systems, ventilation with open windows and central ventilation in the classrooms is recommended. This is also used when the CO2 content is too high.

Explanation of terms: Central ventilation

Ventilators draw in air and, on the other hand, convey air to the outside. A heat exchanger transfers the heat from the extracted air to the fresh air drawn in. (Source: https://www.sentinel-haus.de/de/Themenwelten/So-funktioniert-eine-Lueftungsanlage?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NuXpNCg-AIV8o9oCR15hwycEAAYAiAAEgKPePD_BwE )

Central ventilation in the assembly hall

In rooms like the assembly hall there is a large ventilation system. This is due to the fact that it is a large room where it is not possible to create an air passage. Also, it is a room that is used for events with spectators. The result is a lot of people and therefore a correspondingly high CO2 content in the the air. The toilets are also centrally ventilated.

Cooling of the rooms in case of strong sunlight

In the event of excessive solar radiation in the affected rooms, the roller shutters are automatically lowered until the solar radiation has decreased. At that time, it is not possible to raise the shutters manually.

System problem

The system itself is technically well above average for schools in Germany. However, the values displayed on the air measuring devices are unfortunately ignored by almost every teacher. It is often the case that the temperature or the CO2 content in the classrooms is too high, but the teachers do not bother to set these values back to the correct state. Also the ringing of the bell to ventilate the rooms is ignored, as this is associated with the relaxation of the Covid measures, and is therefore seen as no longer necessary. As a result, CO2 levels are too high, the air becomes worse and the students cannot concentrate.

View of the future

Suggested improvements:

Even though the ventilation system works and functions very independently, you still have to do something yourself. Often the air gauges are even turned off. One suggestion is that the teachers pay more attention to the air quality in the rooms. One could also assign a student in the class to keep an eye on the air meter, so that there is always a climate where you can work well in the rooms.

Future use:

Especially in the summer, the ventilation system will be put to the test once again. On particularly hot days, it is all the more important to pay attention to the equipment and to work with them. One should strengthen the central ventilation systems, so that you can avoid open windows that bring warm air into the classroom so that only cool air enters the classroom.

Expected changes due to climate change and conclusion:

Due to climate change, there will be both, very warm and very cold days. There may well be a change due to increased house building. This is largely due to centralized ventilation systems. These can provide both cool fresh air as well as warm fresh air into the classroom. This system is mainly used in cars. Currently, the rooms are heated with heaters. The problem with this is that while they increase the temperature, the CO2 content rises at the same time, because no fresh air enters the classroom. Firstly, no one wants to open the windows because it gets too cold, and secondly, the power consumption of the heaters increases if the windows have to be opened. This is not only harmful to the environment, but also costs more. Central ventilation would solve two problems at the same time. First, the classroom would be warm and supplied with fresh air despite the low outside temperature. And secondly, electricity consumption would be reduced because the heat would no longer have to work against the cold from outside. For summer, the system is nearly perfect if the teachers and students cooperate, but for the winter there are the improvement suggestions just mentioned, which are due to the climate change coming up.

References:

https://www.sentinel-haus.de/de/Themenwelten/So-funktioniert-eine- Lueftungsanlage?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NuXpNCg- AIV8o9oCR15hwycEAAYAiAAEgKPePD_BwE

Responses from the school administration: Ludgar Hasse, Daniel Hardenacke