Boost Health & Safety with Proper School Maintenance

When maintaining a school, you pay not only for the roof and walls but also for the student’s and staff’s well-being. Effective educational facilities maintenance protects investments, ensures the safety of our children, and supports educational performance. By taking proactive steps to school maintenance, you are not just investing in the building itself but the future of the students. 

From maintaining indoor air quality to managing hazardous materials, facility managers play a crucial role in creating a healthy learning environment for students and staff. In this blog, we’ll explore the five key areas of concern for school maintenance and discuss strategies for addressing them effectively. 

Five Critical Areas of School Maintenance

Indoor Air Quality

Did you know we spend about 90% of our time indoors? Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) affects everyone, especially the most vulnerable – children, the elderly, and people with sensitive health conditions. 

Poor IAQ can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and decreased productivity. Therefore, facility managers must prioritize regular HVAC maintenance, proper ventilation, and monitoring of indoor air pollutants. Many IAQ problems result from inadequate air handling and ventilation. Low levels of contaminants rarely accumulate to dangerous levels if the building is properly ventilated. 

Building administrators should be mindful not to inadvertently cause air quality problems. For example, during routine janitorial cleaning, products or processes may create emissions. Even room humidifiers, which may be used to make a classroom more comfortable, may introduce excess moisture into the building and create mold or mildew issues. To reduce chemical pollution indoors: 

• Use less toxic cleaning products like mild soap and water. Look for products with EPA’s Safe Choice label. 
• Follow product label instructions, don’t mix chemicals, and ventilate when painting, cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting. 

At US&S, we use Green Sealed certified products, ensuring your school is cleaned with the safest, most responsible, and most effective cleaning products in the marketplace. Green Seal products are non-toxic, low-VOC, carcinogen-free, and phthalate-free.

While the details of IAQ can be “scientific” and difficult to understand, most of the time, they are straightforward and reflect common sense. Yet, when IAQ plans fail, school logistics and maintenance managers can seek professional janitorial services for guaranteed protection. 

Asbestos

During the 1930s–1970s, asbestos was commonly used in thousands of products and construction materials, including vinyl products, textured paint, and patching compounds. However, exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma.  

While many laws and regulations are in place to protect students, there are still instances where schools have to shut down to do asbestos. For example, in 2014, the Ocean View School District in Orange County, Calif., was forced to close three campuses after test results found asbestos in several classrooms. 

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires public school districts and non-profit schools to:

• Perform an original inspection to determine whether asbestos-containing materials are present and then re-inspect asbestos-containing material in each school every three years.
• Develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan and keep a copy at the school.
• Provide yearly notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations on the availability of the school’s asbestos management plan and any asbestos-related actions taken or planned in the school.
• Designate a contact person to ensure the responsibilities of the public school district or the non-profit school are properly implemented.
• Perform periodic surveillance of known or suspected asbestos-containing building material.
• Ensure that trained and licensed professionals perform inspections and take response actions.
• Provide custodial staff with asbestos-awareness training.

Regular inspections, proper abatement procedures, and staff training are essential to ensure compliance with safety regulations and protect occupants from exposure.

Water Management

While most schools are connected to “community water systems” monitored by local water authorities, some operate on a “non-community water system.” This classification typically applies when a school relies on a water well as its water source.

In 2023, a school in North Carolina faced closure due to the discovery of dangerous chemicals in its water supply. NC DEQ said during its annual testing of the well water at Sumner Elementary School, naphthalene was found. This chemical can be produced from petroleum and, after short-term exposure, can cause anemia, damage to the liver, and neurological damage. 

Lead in drinking water is the most common cause of water management problems at schools. One step you could take to remove lead from drinking water is to install filters certified to remove lead. 

To ensure compliance with safety standards, it’s crucial for schools to familiarize themselves with regulations like The Safe Water Drinking Act. Enacted to safeguard water quality, this legislation empowers the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish maximum contaminant levels for specified substances in water.

Regular water quality testing and treatment are imperative to guarantee safe drinking water for students and staff. By consistently monitoring and addressing water quality concerns, facilities can uphold high standards of environmental safety and ensure the well-being of everyone on campus.

Waste Management

Waste management encompasses various aspects, including trash removal, recycling, and hazardous waste disposal. In a school setting, proper waste management is essential for maintaining cleanliness and environmental safety.

Trash removal is a significant aspect of waste management in schools, ensuring the timely disposal of solid waste materials. It’s crucial for school districts to adhere to local and state laws regarding solid waste disposal, as illegal dumping or improper disposal can have serious consequences.

Recycling also plays a role in waste management within educational institutions. Many townships and cities mandate recycling programs, contributing to environmental sustainability. However, school districts may need to balance the social and environmental benefits of recycling with the associated costs.

Many schools in South Carolina are LEED Certified, meaning they adhere to a strict standard of addressing carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality. In Greenville County, Greenville One Clemson University, AJ Whittenberg Elementary School, and Greenville Tech Student Center are LEED Certified. 

At US&S we have achieved the worldwide cleaning industry association’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard – Green Building (CIMS-GB) certification. This certification assures that we’ll use cleaning procedures, materials, and services in your building that meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. 

Disinfection

In educational facilities, maintaining cleanliness and implementing proper disinfection protocols are critical for fostering a healthy and safe learning environment. Effective cleanliness practices not only prevent the spread of illnesses but also contribute to overall well-being and productivity among students and staff.

While the terms “cleaning,” “disinfecting,” and “sanitizing” are often used interchangeably, each has a distinct role in germ control:

• Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities using soap and water. This reduces the number of germs on surfaces but doesn’t necessarily kill them.
• Disinfecting utilizes chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. It’s most effective after cleaning has removed debris, as disinfectants may not penetrate dirt and grime.
• Sanitizing reduces germ levels on surfaces or objects to a safe standard. This can be achieved through either cleaning or disinfecting.

Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces frequently touched by students and staff. This includes desks, doorknobs, light switches, and faucets. Schools should have established procedures for routine cleaning and disinfection, which may include daily sanitizing and potentially daily disinfecting of these high-touch areas. Always follow the instructions on EPA-registered disinfectants to ensure proper application and effectiveness.

While the basic principles of cleaning and disinfection are straightforward, navigating regulations, selecting the right products, and ensuring consistent implementation can be challenging. For guaranteed protection and peace of mind, school administrators can seek professional janitorial services. We offer comprehensive cleaning and disinfection programs tailored to the specific needs of your school.

Other Major Safety Concerns in School Maintenance

In addition to the five critical areas, facility managers must address other major safety concerns in educational facilities. Working in public schools requires ever more stringent safety training and performance requirements. Environmental and blood-borne pathogens, not to mention such threats as school shootings, are becoming more of an everyday reality.

US&S has experience using third-party software and internal documentation to train our employees who’ll be working on your campus. We’ll also train our employees at your school so they’ll be sure to know your school buildings and grounds.

By prioritizing regular maintenance, implementing effective management plans, and fostering a culture of safety and sustainability, facility managers can create a safe and healthy learning environment for all occupants. Together, we can build a brighter future for students and staff in educational facilities.