The results of the scorching 2023 school year are catastrophic in terms of summer comfort in classrooms.
Testimonies from teachers about the overheating of classes and the distress of students during the heatwave multiplied on social networks last week.
Some mention air temperatures reaching 33°C or 35°C in classrooms, students sweating in their chairs and which must be moved in order to protect them from direct solar radiation behind the glazing.
Other teachers noted the impossibility of ventilation due to the lack of openings on the facade, but also the absence of solar protection, even in recent buildings.
All the testimonies highlight the fact that nighttime over-ventilation, essential to discharge the heat accumulated during the day and cool the building during the night, is often impossible to achieve.
For fear of intrusion and to respect insurance contracts, teachers and maintenance staff are not authorized to leave windows open during the night.
In this case, school leaders must take their responsibility and authorize nighttime sruventilation if they do not want students to spend their days in drying rooms.
The CAUE des Bouches-du-Rhône and EnvirobatBDM have published an excellent guide which offers ventilation strategies and simple solutions to improve summer comfort in school buildings (fan, air mixer, etc.).
Sources: Envirobatbdm, CAUE des Bouches-du-Rhône
Image: Unsplash, Ivan Aleksic