Indoor Air Quality - Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools

Chapter 14: Renovation And Repair Checklist (Continued)

Roofing

Roofing work often involves the use of tar or other pollutant-producing chemicals that may cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems if fumes enter the building. The removal of old roofing materials can generate dust, mould, and other debris. School officials and roofers can cooperate to prevent these problems and minimize complaints from school occupants.

Schedule pollutant-producing activities for unoccupied periods (e.g., weekends or vacation periods)

		Check to ensure that pollutant-producing activities occur during unoccupied periods.
		Work is scheduled for an unoccupied period.
		Work is scheduled for an occupied period; need help rescheduling or planning to minimize occupants' exposure.

Locate "hot pots" of tar and other pollutant-producing materials away from outdoor air intakes, windows that open, or frequently used doors

		Consider wind patterns at the work site, and arrange equipment, material storage, and trash disposal so prevailing winds carry contaminants away from the building.
		Contain any debris (trash containers with lids or tarps) and remove debris from the work site on a regular basis.
		Consider lightly spraying friable or fibrous materials with water to minimize the generation of dust.
		Pollutant-producing materials are away from and downwind of outdoor air intakes.
		Need help identifying a location for pollutant-producing materials.

Modify ventilation to avoid introducing odours and contaminants

		Advise staff and students to keep doors and windows closed until the roofing work is finished.
		Consider temporarily close the outdoor air intakes of air handlers, particularly rooftop units in the vicinity of (and downwind from) the work area. (Note: to avoid creating IAQ problems from under-ventilation, provide a temporary means (fans and/or ducts) to supply unaffected outdoor air, or relocate classes to other areas.)
		Ventilation is arranged to avoid the entry of pollutants.
		Need help to modify ventilation.

Problem Summary

		All activities on this checklist have been completed and no help is required. OR
		A list of problems and/or assistance required is attached.

Comments Form

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit for Canadian Schools

We anticipate revising the Tools for Schools Action Kit in the future. To help us ensure that the Kit meets the needs of those who are using it, please send us your comments about how easy or difficult you found the Kit to use. Suggestions for how to make the Kit more useful are especially welcome. If
a reply is requested, please provide your name, address and phone number along with the completed sheet and mail it to:

• Health Canada
  Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
  Indoor Environments Division
  Room 120, Environmental Health Centre (P.L. 0801D)
  Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2

Comments or Suggestions:
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Your role at the school (e.g., custodial staff, teacher, etc.):
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Checklist (s) used: ________________________________________

Optional for correspondence purposes:

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