Coventry University research has found that 40 per cent of primary school classrooms examined in a study did not have an adequate ventilation rate to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The research found this was largely due to teachers and pupils failing to open doors and windows regularly enough.
It found this is linked to the different thresholds for temperature between adults and children – with adults essentially feeling colder than children.
Coventry University PhD student Sepideh Korsavi, under the supervision of Dr Azadeh Montazami, observed occupant-related factors of 805 children in 32 naturally ventilated classrooms in UK primary schools during cold and warm seasons and found that 40 per cent of classrooms failed to provide an adequate ventilation rate.
The results of their study suggest that a classroom with high potential for natural ventilation does not necessarily provide adequate indoor air quality as that relies on teachers and pupils opening windows and doors.
Factors affecting ventilation rates fall into contextual, occupant and building elements and the research highlights the importance of the occupant factor in maintaining acceptable ventilation rates.
The study also shows that around 15 per cent of children are overheated during cold seasons as well as warm seasons and recommends increasing ventilation rates to help maintain air quality and a comfortable room temperature.
The implication of this study is to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus and provide healthier environments for children and teachers.
Dr Azadeh Montazami, an indoor environmental quality expert at Coventry University and supervisor of the research project, said: “Teachers are mainly in charge of controlling the environment in classrooms and they open windows according to their own thermal threshold, which is higher than children’s.
"As most UK school classrooms are naturally ventilated, teachers should be informed about these differences and the consequence of their behaviour and be encouraged to open windows to reduce the risk of spreading COVID.”
The recommendation supports recent guidance by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) that good ventilation is essential to reduce occupants' exposure to airborne pathogens, including COVID-19, in buildings.