Newsom Signs School Facilities HVAC Bill
Newsom Signs School Facilities HVAC Bill
Governor Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 2232, a bill supported by SMART and CAL SMACNA to require California schools to ensure facilities and classrooms have heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that meet minimum ventilation rate requirements. It also requires the installation of filtration that achieves minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) levels of 13 or higher.
AB 2232 will require comprehensive HVAC inspections and ongoing CO2 monitors in classrooms to ensure California students and teachers are being provided fresh air. The bill also requires the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect to research, develop and propose a mandatory standard for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms.
“All learning institutions throughout the state can benefit from this bill,” said David O’Connor, Senior Account Manager at United Mechanical. “Not only is it good work for SMACNA contractors, but it’s good for the schools and good for the kids because it’s providing a healthier environment, which then provides them the opportunity for a better education.”
In a 2020 national survey, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that an estimated 54 percent of public schools across the country must replace, repair or update their heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Why? Because HVAC isn’t just about comfort anymore.
This bill recognizes HVAC mechanical systems are an actual priority for the health and well-being of students and teachers. Occupants in energy efficient school buildings with sealed building envelopes rely upon properly operating mechanical ventilation systems. Maintenance and upkeep of these systems are often neglected or underprioritized by school administrators during budget considerations thus creating invisible but significant challenges to the health and performance of their students.
“Many of our local districts are taking advantage of the bill. We’re currently in progress on six projects in our local school district, all revolving around supporting better indoor air quality,” O’Connor said. “From attention spans to academic scores, everything is better when temperatures are regulated, there’s adequate ventilation and schools are performing proper system maintenance. All these studies have been out there forever, but now they’re paying closer attention.”
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state, with statutory provisions establishing procedures for those reimbursements.
CAL SMACNA appreciates the legislature and governor for openly recognizing the health and performance of our schools depend upon properly functioning HVAC mechanical ventilation systems. This bill marks a sea-change in a more complete understanding of the benefits and challenges of modern building systems.
CAL SMACNA’s “California School Reopening Ventilation and Energy Efficiency Verification and Repair Program” has created a reliable list of qualified mechanical, service and TAB contractors to provide these ventilation assessments, certification and repairs across the state.
See the full CalSHAPE Qualified Contractor Referral List at bit.ly/3EONnkN.