Ventilation in early learning services
The licensing criteria for early learning services require that your space has ventilation that allows fresh air to circulate.
Good ventilation removes stale air and replaces it with fresh, clean air while keeping the indoor temperature at no lower than 18 degrees Celsius.
Early learning services should be ventilated either naturally or mechanically. Maintaining good air quality by regularly refreshing the air in a space reduces the risk of spreading illnesses.
Indicators that a space may not be well-ventilated include:
a feeling of stuffiness
lingering smells
elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.
Download the guidance on ventilation for early learning services.
Evaluation of ventilation in early learning services Download PDF
Different types of ventilation in early learning services Download PDF
Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels
High CO2 levels can have a negative impact on health and learning outcomes. CO2 levels can be measured to show how well-ventilated a room is.
CO2 levels that are above 800 parts per million (ppm) for more than 1 hour suggest more ventilation is needed. The best way to quickly reduce CO2 levels is to open all the windows and doors in the room for 5 to 10 minutes.
You must take action to reduce the CO2 levels if they remain over 2,000 ppm for a sustained period of time, for example, over the course of 1 hour.
For guidelines on interpreting CO2 levels and actions to consider, see page 12 of the document below.
Natural ventilation
Most New Zealand early learning services are designed with good natural ventilation using windows that can be opened.
Improve ventilation at your early learning service by:
opening all windows and doors, partially or fully, whenever you can
not waiting for a space to get stuffy before opening windows and doors
avoiding uncomfortable draughts by opening lots of windows a little way, rather than opening a few windows all the way
opening windows before people arrive
opening windows and doors on opposite sides of the room (including to internal corridors or other spaces), so air can flow between them
making sure all staff know how to open the windows
making sure windows are not blocked by items like furniture, artwork or teaching materials.
Check windows and doors
You should regularly check for any property issues that may need to be resolved, such as:
all windows and doors which were designed to open can still open – unstick windows that may have been fixed or painted shut
replacing missing or broken window winders, hinges, catches, security stays, or closers
correct any alterations which may be stopping good ventilation.
Refresh the air inside your early learning service regularly
Refresh breaks, also known as a reboot, means fully opening windows and doors for a short time to flush a space with fresh air. The air will be refreshed more quickly if nobody is in the room at the time.
If your reboot does not take away any stuffiness and quickly reduce CO2 levels, the windows and doors may need to be open for a longer time.
After your refresh break, use a CO2 monitor to check if levels have reduced.
Ventilation in different seasons and weather
During colder or hot weather, when you use heating or cooling systems, it can be less practical to fully open windows and doors. You can still ventilate by opening windows a little way. The bigger the temperature difference between the outside and inside, the more fresh air will be drawn inside.
You can ventilate in cold weather while still keeping the room warm by:
heating the room before the start of the early learning service day, so you can open windows when people arrive
keeping the heating on throughout the day, with windows partially opened
keeping lots of windows open a little and opening them further if it warms up outside
refreshing the indoor air at least 4 times a day by fully opening all the windows and doors.
In warmer weather, if you are using your cooling system with windows and doors closed, you should reset the room by opening doors and windows for a short time.
Tips for good ventilation during colder weather Download PDF
Use a CO2 monitor to check if your ventilation is working.
If your space is still not well-ventilated, try:
opening high-level windows first and wider than low level windows, to reduce the risk of cold draughts in the room
closing doors before you begin closing windows
closing or partially close any windows directly facing the worst weather conditions while leaving others open
keeping wet clothes out of activity spaces as this makes the room more difficult to heat.
Mechanical ventilation
There are a number of different types of mechanical ventilation you can use in your early learning services.
Ducted mechanical ventilation system have vents in the ceilings or walls that bring in fresh air or extract stale air and manage the temperature of the room.
They are called HVAC or air conditioning systems. They are not heat pumps.
Some systems are designed to work with windows and doors open. Other systems need everything to stay closed to work as designed.
Most systems will automatically adjust to warmer or colder weather, but it may be possible for a technician to change the amount of fresh air brought in as the seasons change.
Make sure these systems are:
checked, cleaned and maintained by an appropriately skilled technician in accordance with the system’s warranty and maintenance specifications
set to operate for at least 2 hours before and after the early learning service day
set to increase the amount of fresh air brought in by the system and minimise the amount of stale air it filters and recirculates, while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures.
It is best for your system to be activated by CO2 levels so it knows when more fresh air needs to be brought in. You can use a CO2 monitor to make sure the system is working.
Using heat pumps to heat or cool spaces when windows and doors are open can help to bring more fresh air into your space, while maintaining comfortable temperatures.
Heat pumps and many other heating systems only heat or cool recirculated air. They do not bring in fresh air, so should be used alongside other ways to ventilate, such as opening windows.
When using heat pumps and other heating systems with the windows partially open, you should:
pre-heat the space to no lower than 18°C before the early learning service day to improve the draw of fresh air through partially opened windows
increase indoor heating or cooling during the day as needed
reset the temperature of the room to no lower than 18°C, close all windows and doors and run the system on its highest setting.
Your heat pump or heating system should be regularly checked and serviced, including cleaning its mesh dust filter.
Air purifiers or cleaners can be used in areas that are hard to ventilate. They filter and recirculate air. They do not replace good ventilation because they do not bring in fresh air or reduce CO2 levels.
Air purifiers can also help remove dust, pollen and other outdoor allergens from the indoor air.
To work properly, the air purifiers must:
be the right size for the room
run on a high fan speed.
Portable and ceiling fans can move air and creating a breeze within the room. This is not a replacement for opening windows. Portable fans should only be used where they are not a health and safety risk.
Information
Download information on where to put an air purifier in your early learning service and how to use it, and technical advice on how to use a ducted ventilation system.
Technical advice for ducted mechanical ventilation systems Download PDF
Where to put your portable air cleaner Download PDF
How to use your Samsung air purifier Download PDF
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