ENG DAMPA Skoler og Indeklima - Flipbook - Side 2
Why is the
indoor climate
important?
The indoor environment has a direct impact on the wellbeing, health and
performance of both pupils and teachers. Research shows that poor air
quality can reduce pupils’ performance and learning outcomes by as much
as 10%. That is equivalent to an entire year of lost learning by the time they
leave primary school. It is therefore essential to ensure a healthy indoor
climate in schools.
In addition to significantly affecting pupils’ ability to learn, indoor climate is
also subject to legal requirements set out in the Danish Building Regulations
(BR18). These must be met in order to provide optimal conditions for learning
and wellbeing.
Creating a good indoor environment means finding the right balance across
four key areas: thermal, atmospheric, acoustic and visual indoor climate.
The thermal indoor climate relates to factors such as temperature and
draught, which determine whether a person feels warm or cold. A
comfortable thermal climate is achieved by maintaining a pleasant room
temperature and minimising draughts.
The atmospheric indoor climate concerns air quality. This is influenced by
elements such as oxygen levels, humidity, odours and pollutants. Good air
quality depends on effective ventilation and regular air exchange.
The acoustic indoor climate refers to the sound environment, including
noise levels and reverberation time. Optimal acoustics are achieved by
reducing noise while ensuring clear speech intelligibility.
The visual indoor climate covers lighting conditions, including the amount
and distribution of daylight, electric lighting, and possibility to look outside. A
good visual environment ensures a lot of natural light, avoids glare and offers
visual access to green surroundings.
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