Dear ISB Community.
We understand there are many questions related to how ISB is addressing the indoor and outdoor pollution at ISB.
Since last year, we have been working hard on the management of air quality and have developed a systematic approach to our specific situation. We adopted strategies taken from China and other regions around the world and worked closely with Harrow International School, NIST, Shrewsbury, and Bangkok Patana to devise best practices for the Bangkok area.
Below is a summary of what has and what will be happening in the near future.
- Last year we developed Air Quality Guidelines in partnership with other area Bangkok schools.
- Outside, we have installed a high quality Thermal Fisher ADR 1500 air quality monitor which pushes the air quality (PM2.5) and other data to our web-site.
- We have 2 other branded monitors that enable us to spot check our outdoor data and compare our readings with other schools in Bangkok using like-for-like equipment.
- For indoor air purification, last year we tested various types of equipment and came to the conclusion that a positive pressure filtration systems is the best solution for overall air quality. We then installed and tested two different types of systems in our ES world language classrooms and decided on the best one.
- This summer, the preferred Environment Assured, positive pressure system was installed in the PK/Kindergarten area for (phase 1). https://www.environment-assured.com/
- During the October break, the rest of the ES classrooms will have the same positive pressure systems installed (phase 2).
- We will continue installing units through the rest of the school, with completion planned within this school year (phase 3).
- The new health clinic had a positive pressure filtration system installed during its construction.
- Large spaces such as gyms, and libraries currently have positive pressure systems running, and we will soon be upgrading the filters.
- Air quality in every space with an air purification system (and some without) is measured with indoor measuring devices and monitored online from the Risk Management office.
- The total board approved budget this year for installing the positive pressure filtration systems in all classrooms is THB 25 million.
- The facility master plan will take into consideration that more indoor spaces will be needed due to air quality and the heat index. As a result, auxiliary gyms are planned to be enclosed when they are renovated. The timing of this depends on the implementation of the masterplan.
All efforts above are with the sole purpose of providing a safe and healthy environment for students, staff and community. If we all can work together by educating ourselves on the current ISB Air Quality Guidelines, and monitoring the outdoor conditions, we will help provide a healthier ISB campus.
If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please let me know or feel free to stop by.
by Mark Hevland, Director of Risk Management
markh@isb.ac.th