Schools are sensitive environments where protecting students, teachers, and staff is essential, especially during renovation or maintenance work. While these interventions are necessary to maintain infrastructure, they must be carried out with heightened vigilance to mitigate risks related to dust, noise, and air quality.

Specific challenges of construction work in schools

Schools accommodate children daily, whose respiratory systems are more vulnerable, as well as teachers who may be exposed to potential nuisances for extended periods.

Construction work can result in:

• Dispersion of dust and pollutants: Especially fine particles, which can cause respiratory problems, irritations, or allergies. According to the WHO, a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 (fine particles) leads to a 6% rise in respiratory-related consultations.
• Emission of harmful fibers: Asbestos, when disturbed, can release microfibers into the air that can lead to severe pulmonary diseases, such as asbestosis or cancer. In many Canadian schools, materials containing asbestos are still present. For instance, in Quebec, more than 90% of school buildings in Laval contain asbestos, according to the Laval School Service Center (CSSL).
• Noise disturbances: Excessive noise levels can disrupt classes, cause fatigue, and impact students’ concentration.
• Interference with school activities: Poorly planned or managed construction work can disrupt lessons and the overall tranquility of the school environment.

The solution: environmental analysis and proactive construction management

To protect health and well-being in schools, implementing tailored technological solutions is essential.

Key actions to consider include:

1. Create negative pressure zones

Negative pressure zones prevent the spread of dust and pollutants by:

• Confining particles within the construction area, eliminating the risk of contamination and dispersion in occupied spaces.
• Controlling airflow to direct dust toward HEPA filtration systems.

2. Optimize airflow renewal

Outside of class hours, scheduled ventilation systems can:

• Ensure constant air renewal to remove fine particles.
• Filter air to make it healthier.
• Maintain air quality that meets public health standards (ASHRAE or local standards).

3. Monitor and reduce noise disturbances

Installing acoustic detectors with visual indicators alerts workers when noise levels become too high. This proactive approach ensures:

• A calm working environment for teachers.
• Maximum concentration for students.

4. Real-time monitoring and automation

Environmental analysis solutions enable real-time control through the Assek IoT application, monitoring key parameters such as:

• Airborne particle levels.
• Airflow and ventilation quality.
• Live alerts to prevent unnecessary noise disturbances.

This monitoring ensures rapid intervention if critical thresholds are exceeded and supports optimized project management.

Benefits for schools

Better-managed emergency construction work

In urgent situations, these solutions enable rapid intervention without having to wait for school breaks. The ability to automate and control airflows in real-time minimizes negative impacts while meeting technical constraints.

To learn more about how a healthy school environment promotes student well-being and success, visit our dedicated page

The health of school buildings