Styria expands ventilation systems across schools

Fifteen of Styria’s 82 federal schools now have mechanical ventilation systems, ORF reports, as the region works to make schools better equipped for warmer conditions. The newly added BORG Dreierschützengasse school will begin the new academic year with such a system.

Other schools already equipped include AHS Reininghaus and the HTL in Zeltweg.

More schools in planning

Further installations are planned at BG Köflach, BG Judenburg and BG Feldkirchen, as well as at a school in Deutschlandsberg and on Körösistraße in Graz, according to Martin Kremser of the Styria Education Directorate.

Planning is already more advanced for Monsbergergasse, the school centre in Hartberg and the school cluster in Liezen.

The systems continuously supply fresh air by extracting used air from certain areas and blowing fresh air into the building. In summer, they can lower indoor temperatures by five to six degrees compared with the outdoor temperature, Kremser said.

Investments in compulsory schools

Compulsory schools, which are maintained by their respective operators and require approval from the Education Directorate, are also receiving investments to improve their climate conditions.

Middle School Deutsch Goritz will reopen for the new academic year with Ratschendorf Primary School integrated into it. The school will also have a cooling system.

Primary School Raaba, which had significant thermal problems, is being completely rebuilt. Schools are also using external shading and smaller window areas to manage heat, the Education Directorate said.