Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) Action Kit

• Cover Letter (PDF, 1 page, 414KB)

Implementing the IAQ TfS Program district-wide has become the standard approach for schools initiating an IAQ management program. However, large districts sometimes find it challenging to implement the Program in all schools simultaneously. This fact sheet describes the benefits of implementing a district-wide program and components that ensure a successful program from the start. EPA has developed 15 easy steps to make the process of launching a district-wide program more organized and straightforward for small and large districts alike.

• How To Implement a District Wide Tools for Schools Program (PDF, 2 pp, 74KB)
• EPA 402-F-02-010, September 2002

EPA designed the IAQ TfS Roadmap as a user-friendly, ten-step guide to help school staff familiarize themselves with the multitude of resources included in the IAQ TfS Action Kit. These easy to follow steps help school staff apply IAQ TfS guidance to establish a comprehensive IAQ management program. The Road Map is included in the IAQ TfS Action Kit and is available for order separately. These files are larger because they are full page, full color printable versions of the Road Map.

This brief reference guide consists of 10 easy-to-follow steps to get you started on developing a comprehensive IAQ program today! The Road Map is available as three separate PDF files.  The files are larger because they are full page, full color printable versions of the Road Map.

• Roadmap_1 (PDF, 1 page, 764KB)
• Roadmap_2 (PDF, 1 page, 2.2MB)
• Roadmap_3 (PDF, 1 page, 8.3MB)
• EPA # 402-K-05-001a, January 2005

This document is designed for the IAQ Coordinator at the school and district levels. It offers guidance on preventing and solving most indoor air problems with minimal cost and coordinating IAQ projects with other members of an IAQ team. The guide provides basic IAQ information, guidance for developing an IAQ management plan, and suggestions for resolving IAQ problems.

• HTML Version
• PDF Version (PDF, 64 pp, 4.1MB)
• EPA 402-K-95-001 (Third Edition) January 2005

This guidance provides common-sense measures for preventing, diagnosing, and resolving most indoor air problems with minimal cost and involvement. This guide helps schools understand how IAQ problems develop, the importance of good IAQ, and its impact on students, staff, and building occupants. One section provides suggestions for dealing with an IAQ crisis and for communicating IAQ information to students, staff, parents, and the community. The appendices of this guide offer detailed information on IAQ-related topics including mold, radon, secondhand smoke, asthma, portable classrooms, basic measurement equipment, hiring professional assistance, codes and regulations, and integrated pest management. The document also includes information on typical indoor air pollutants and pollutants from motor vehicles and equipment.

• HTML Version
• PDF Version (PDF, 98 pp, 4.9MB)
• EPA 402-K-95-001 (Third Edition) January 2005

This five page guidance document, included in the IAQ TfS Action Kit, offers an in-depth description of factors that affect air quality in schools. This document highlights important topics including: why IAQ is important to schools, understanding IAQ problems and solutions, sources of indoor air pollutants (indoor and outdoor sources), and strategies to control building systems that affect air quality. It also emphasizes the importance of the checklists provided for school staff and describes how the checklists can help schools identify problems and respond if IAQ problems exist.

• PDF Version (PDF, 5 pp, 770 KB)

This fact sheet introduces the IAQ TfS Awards Program and describes the three types of awards: Great Start, Leadership, and Excellence. The Awards Program recognizes schools and school districts that are implementing comprehensive, sustainable IAQ management plans. Eligible schools are those that have demonstrated a strong commitment to improve children's health and IAQ and to promote good IAQ in schools. The fact sheet provides more information on eligibility requirements for each type of award.

• Go to the Awards Program page at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/awards.html
• Awards Program Facts Sheet PDF (PDF, 1 page, 488KB)

Administrative Staff

• Administrative Staff Checklist (PDF, 2 pp, 89KB)
• Administrative Staff Checklist (DOC, 2 pp, 89KB)
• Administrative Staff Backgrounder (PDF, 2 pp, 86KB)

School Officials

• School Officials Checklist (PDF, 2 pp, 63KB)
• School Officials Checklist (DOC, 2 pp, 150KB)
• School Officials Backgrounder (PDF, 2 pp, 436KB)

Building and Grounds Maintenance

• Building and Grounds Maintenance Checklist (PDF, 2 pp, 98KB)
• Building and Grounds Maintenance Checklist (DOC, 2 pp, 99 KB)
• Lista de verificación de mantenimiento del edificio (PDF, 6 pp, 321KB)
• Building and Grounds Maintenance Backgrounder (PDF, 3 pp, 132KB)

Teacher's Classroom

• Teacher's Classroom Checklist (PDF, 3 pp, 123KB)
• Teacher's Classroom Checklist (DOC, 3 pp, 104KB)
• Teacher's Classroom Backgrounder (PDF, 4 pp, 152KB)

Food Service

• Food Service Checklist (PDF, 2 pp, 96KB)
• Food Service Checklist (DOC, 2 pp, 94KB)
• Lista de verificación de servicio de alimentos (PDF, 3 pp, 225KB)
• Food Service Backgrounder

Ventilation

• Ventilation Checklist (PDF, 5 pp, 254KB)
• Ventilation Checklist (DOC, 5 pp, 139KB)
• Ventilation Backgrounder (PDF, 8 pp, 606KB)

Health Officer/School Nurse

• Health Officer/School Nurse Checklist (PDF, 2 pp, 87KB)
• Health Officer/School Nurse Checklist (DOC, 2 pp, 156KB)
• Health Officer/School Nurse Backgrounder (PDF, 2 pp, 90KB)

Walkthrough Inspection

• Walkthrough Inspection Checklist (PDF, 2 pp, 71KB)
• Walkthrough Inspection Checklist (DOC, 2 pp, 75KB)
• Walkthrough Inspection Backgrounder (PDF, 1 page, 423KB)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Integrated Pest Management Checklist (PDF, 3 pp, 121KB)
• Lista de Verificación para el Manejo Integrado de Plagas (PDF, 4 pp, 319KB)
• Integrated Pest Management Checklist (DOC, 3 pp, 160KB)
• Integrated Pest Management Backgrounder (PDF, 3 pp, 96KB)

Waste Management

• Waste Management Checklist (PDF, 1 page, 60KB)
• Lista de verificación de manejo de desechos (PDF, 2 pp, 155KB)
• Waste Management Checklist (DOC, 1 page, 97KB)
• Waste Management Backgrounder (PDF, 1 page, 55KB)

Renovation and Repairs

• Renovation and Repairs Checklist (PDF, 3 pp, 495KB)
• Renovation and Repairs Checklist (DOC, 3 pp, 101KB)
• Renovation and Repairs Backgrounder (PDF, 4 pp, 148KB)

This guide offers valuable information for all school staff, especially school nurses, teachers, and maintenance staff, on how to identify and control common environmental factors in schools that trigger asthma attacks. Resources include an “Asthma Action Card” which can serve as a daily asthma management plan. School nurses can share these resources with parents to raise awareness of asthma triggers and to help manage asthma at home and school effectively. Also included are easy tips for managing asthma in schools, including using the IAQ TfS Kit and Program to improve IAQ in the learning environment.

• HTML Version
• PDF Version (PDF, 24 pp, 4.58MB)
• www.epa.gov/asthma
• EPA 402-K-05-002, August 2005

The problem solving wheel is an interactive, user-friendly tool that EPA designed to help school staff identify IAQ emergencies and determine actions to take in an emergency IAQ situation. This resource was designed to help school staff understand various factors related to the indoor environment, such as odors, temperature and humidity problems, illnesses, symptoms of health problems, explanations of and solutions to common problems. The problem solving wheel is included in the IAQ TfS Action Kit and is available for order separately.

• EPA 402-K-05-001A, January 2005

This video illustrates the school walkthrough, one key component of the IAQ TfS process that many schools use to kick off their IAQ programs. The video was filmed at a North Carolina school built in 1999. It illustrates some of the most common IAQ problems found in schools and is ideal for schools that are beginning to implement IAQ TfS.

• EPA 402-V-01-004

Taking Action shows how one school successfully implemented the IAQ TfS Action Kit. Ventilation Basics explains the importance of good indoor air quality and shows how to operate and maintain school ventilation systems. Many IAQ problems can be prevented or solved by in-house staff using the basics techniques provided in this video.

• EPA 402-V-98-001