Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program - Roanoke City Public Schools

RCPS is committed to providing safe, healthy, and productive learning environments for all students and staff. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) plays a critical role in supporting student performance, staff well-being, and overall building sustainability.

RCPS' IAQ Program aligns with Code of Virginia § 22.1-141.5 and the most recent ventilation standards from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Jeff Shawver
Senior Director of Physical Plants
(540) 853-6306 | jshawver@rcps.info

Goals and Objectives of the IAQ Program

Ensure compliance with state legislation and industry standards for indoor air quality.
Maintain healthy learning and working environments by reducing airborne contaminants.
Proactively monitor, test, and improve air handling and ventilation systems across all RCPS facilities.
Provide clear procedures for reporting and addressing IAQ concerns.

Students, parents, and staff who have concerns about indoor air quality in an RCPS facility are encouraged to report them to the RCPS Operations Department's School Plants Division. Concerns will be logged, investigated, and addressed promptly.

Inspection & Reporting Requirements

In accordance with Code of Virginia § 22.1-141.5, beginning in 2025 all school divisions must conduct regular indoor air quality (IAQ) inspections and make results public. RCPS had already substantially aligned with these requirements through long-standing best practices, reflecting our belief that clean, healthy learning environments are essential to student success.

Conduct industry-recognized uniform inspections at least once every four years.
Document findings and maintain records for public review.
Incorporate IAQ testing and reporting into regular maintenance and operations protocols.

Inspections will be published to this webpage once they take place.

Testing & Evaluation Criteria

RCPS IAQ inspections will include:

Testing for maximum filter efficiency
Physical measurement of outside air delivery rate
Verification of ventilation component condition and operation
Measurement of outside air, return air, and supply air, as well as static pressure readings across filters, coils, and fans
Verification that units operate properly and maintenance has been performed per ASHRAE standards
Verification of CO₂ sensors and acceptable indoor CO₂ concentrations
Collection of field data to support the installation of mechanical ventilation where none exists

Implementation Approach

RCPS' IAQ Program as implemented the following:

Building Automation Systems (BAS – Trane): Automated monitoring of airflows, ventilation rates, and filter status.
Field Verification: On-site inspections and data collection performed by RCPS maintenance staff and contracted filter service providers.
Standards-Based Practice: Application of ASHRAE ventilation and IAQ standards to ensure consistency and compliance.
2021/22 Ventilation Study Foundation: RCPS' comprehensive ventilation study, which analyzed air changes per hour (ACH) across all schools, provides a strong baseline for ongoing IAQ monitoring and improvement.