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Edmonds School District

Warm Weather and Thermal Comfort

The Importance of Addressing Heat in Schools
As climate change accelerates, temperatures will continue to rise, including in Washington State where we are not used to severe heat weather. Many schools don’t have air conditioning units, and we are not fully equipped to cope with sweltering heat.  Research is clear that students do not learn well in elevated temperatures.  The State Board of Health rule 246-366-WAC, has a minimum temperature requirement, but it does not have a maximum temperature requirement.  The language in WAC 246-366-080 (1) indicates, “All rooms used by students or staff shall be kept reasonably free of all objectionable odor, excessive heat, or condensation.”
Thermal comfort can vary for each individual and factors such as clothing, activity level, age, medical, and physiology of each individual can affect a person's core temperature.  We recognize the critical role of schools in addressing extreme heat needs. 
Extreme Heat and Cooling Agencies:
Thermal Comfort Recommendations
The general recommended indoor temperature range identified by the Washington Department of Health is from 68*F to 81*F depending on the humidity levels. When indoor temperatures are at or over 79*F the proposed thermal comfort measures are recommended to support optimum health, productivity, and comfort.   
  • Increase student access to water and wear lighter weight and lighter colored clothing
    • Educate on prevention behaviors of overheating
  • Open windows to create cooling if the air quality is safe
    • Open additional windows to provide cross-draft
  • Use fans to create cooling
    • Position portable fans at knee level where they will not directly blow air across the breathing zone of room occupants
    • Fans will only provide cooling if the indoor air temperature is less than 99*F
  • Pull shades to block the sun and incoming heat
    • Pull shades on all windows that get sun, including doors with windows
    • Shades should be pulled when the sun hits the window, they can be opened once the sun no longer hits the window
    • Open shades at night which allow windows to radiate heat outward 
  • Decrease the use of heat-generating equipment
    • Post-pone the use of copiers, printers, and dim lights, use less lighting, and decrease the use of other electrical equipment, these can be used during times when the temperatures are not at their highest
  • Move students to cooler parts of the building if possible.
  • Modify outdoor activities,
    • Use outdoor areas that are naturally shaded by trees.
    • Use areas that have shade sails and are shaded from the sun.
    • If possible install shade sails over playground equipment and other outdoor common areas, if possible.
    • “Blacktops” absorb heat and can reach extreme temperatures on hot days. Decrease play on asphalt and artificial turf, and use natural ground cover.  
    • During high-heat days, modify sports activities, move inside to a cooler facility, or reschedule outdoor sports practices, and games.
    • Outdoor temperatures of 94*F or greater it is recommended to postpone sporting events and keep students indoors.  Any outdoor temperature of 94* F or greater will increase the internal normal body temperature during activity to a level that is not safe.
  • Consider canceling school when extreme heat is over 100*F for more than three days or greater.
    • It is difficult to cool buildings down when excessive heat is persistent and there are no cooling systems in a school. 
References
Bernard, N (2023).  Another Heat Wave is Coming.  School of Environmental Health and Safety, Washington State Department of Health.  Retrieved from: http://www.doh.wa.gov/schoolenvironment \
Iowa Department of Health & Healthy Child Care Iowa (2009). Child Care Weather Watch.  Retrieved from: https://www.c-uphd.org/documents/wellness/weatherwatch.pdf 
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (2023).  Protecting Californians with Heat-Resilient Schools: Guidance for an equitable and effective state strategy.  Retrieved from: https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Protecting-Californians-with-Heat-Resilient-Schools.pdf 
Washington Department of Health (2022). Cooling Indoor Spaces Without Air Conditioning. DOH 333-298. Retrieved from: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/333-298.pdf?uid=645d7594ba5f4