Elementary school reduces CO2 levels with ventilation ceilings

Fresh air is essential for children's well-being and ability to learn. At the city school of Elsinore, Denmark, pre-renovation measurements showed CO2 levels reaching up to 3000ppm during large parts of the day. That is three times the recommended levels. In addition, the acoustic enviroment was far from the required levels of 0.6seconds in reverberation time. So the listed school building from 1880 was in need of an extensive renovation.

But how do you modernise ventilation systems in buildings from 1880 without losing floor height? The solution was found by combining acoustical ceilings and ventilation system into one solution - using so-called ventilation ceilings with diffuse ventilation. This solution saves space and building and maintenance costs.  

The solution to the challenges with the indoor climate and the noise nuisance was the ventilation ceilings from Knauf DANOLINE. The gypsum ceiling panels combine aesthetics with acoustics and ventilation because of the the design and function. The panels are demountable, so it is easy to service ventilation, lights or other hidden installations.  

All the panels are perforated with holes which allow fresh air from the ventilation to penetrate down through the ceiling. This provides an even and comfortable exchange of air throughout the room. The holes also significantly improve the acoustics, and because the holes go all the way to the edge of the panel, they also create a nice and uniform look. 

CO2 levels cut by two thirds in comparison to before renovation

The classrooms at the school are renovated using Knauf DANOLINE's ventilation ceiling Belgravia Unity 3. The improvement of indoor air quality is documented with a post-renovation report, made by an independent institute for the municipality of Elsinore. The report shows that the CO2 levels have dropped from the previous 3000ppm down to the recommended 1000 ppm.

Sound treatment according to recommendations

Along with better indoor air quality for the school children and their teachers, the ventilation ceilings also ensure a better acoustic enviroment. The report documents that the reverberation time in the classrooms is reduced to 0.4-0.5 seconds, which is just at the levels recommeded by the building regulations.