Heating Regulations and Ventilation

HEATING

Regulation 23 of the School Premises Regulations Act 1967 and 1973 specifies the following minimum temperatures:

• 18.5°C for medical inspection rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms and WCs.
• 16°C for teaching spaces or classrooms.
• 15.5°C Assembly Hall/ Lecture Hall
• 13°C in cloakrooms, corridors, and gymnasiums
• 10°C Games hall

MINIMUM TEMPERATURES

When temperatures are below these minima, members should act as follows:

1. Record the time and temperature, preferably with a calibrated thermometer
2. If the low temperature is first thing in the school day and the heating system is working,
3. record the time and the temperature and then allow a reasonable time, up to a maximum of one hour, for the temperature to increase.
4. NB. The law requires minimum temperature to be achieved by the start of the working day
5. If the temperature still has not reached minimum, or it is so low initially that it would be unreasonable to work in the room while waiting for it to rise, again note the time and temperature and notify management team, by telephone or email, that you require an alternative place to work.
6. Allow a reasonable time for action to be taken. It is impossible to be more specific, as what is reasonable must depend on the layout of the school and the degree of discomfort.
7. If after a reasonable period no effective action has been taken, you should cease to work in the room. Take your class to an appropriate place, school offices, foyer etc and ask for instructions from the senior members of staff.
8. As soon as you can, inform the school representative of your actions.
9. If there is a general failure of the heating system, it is possible that pupils will be sent home. Note that teaching staff will be required to remain, provided an adequately heated room e.g. a staffroom can be provided.

EXCESSIVELY HIGH TEMPERATURES

There is no legislation setting out maximum temperatures in a similar way to minimum temperatures since the effect of these depends very largely on the accompanying humidity. The SSTA advises members to follow a similar procedure to the above whenever they feel that they could reasonably complain that there is a failure to meet the requirement of Section 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. This states that employers must provide a working environment that is safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare.

VENTILATION

(Regulation 6 & 7 of Workplace Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations, 1992.)

This should be provided by any of the following means:

• Natural Ventilation – opening windows. There should be sufficient opening windows to allow the temperature to remain within 17-25 °C. (Building regulations state that the opening area should be 1/30 floor areas as a minimum).
• Mechanical Ventilation – this should be in place in rooms where equipment produces heat
• Mechanical Ventilation – this should be in place in rooms where equipment produces heat e.g. ICT rooms, Art, and Business Education or where the building does not allow opening windows.
• Solar reflective glass and blinds may be needed in south facing windows to reduce solar heat gain.
• Portable fans or air conditioning units may have to be installed