For the mayor and the majority of the main and finance committee, the matter was clear: They see no added value in mobile air filter devices for schoolchildren.
Geretsried - For the time being, the city will not purchase any mobile air purification devices for its two primary and secondary schools.
In its special meeting on Tuesday, the main and finance committee instead spoke out in favor of pushing ahead with equipping with stationary ventilation and air conditioning systems (RLT).
Such devices already exist in some classrooms (see box).
In view of the corona pandemic, the discussion about mobile air filter systems in schools is currently going on all over the country. In Geretsried, the SPD and Geretsried list had campaigned for their acquisition. Mayor Michael Müller (CSU) main argument against investing in this technology was that it had not been finally clarified whether it would bring an advantage. "It's not about that we don't want to do anything," said the town hall chief. "If the state government gave me a guarantee that distance training and masking requirements would no longer apply, we would immediately buy mobile air filter devices." Dr. Elmar Immertreu (Geretsrieder list), Hans Hopfner (SPD) as well as Martina Raschke and Dr. Detlev Ringer (both Greens).
Mobile air filters ensure a lively discussion in the committee
This was preceded by a lively discussion among the committee members.
Despite several attempts, Müller did not want to understand Martina Raschke's point of view at all.
The city councilor said: "We have no guarantee for anything since the beginning of the pandemic." It is a matter of being prepared if special rules come.
Hans Hopfner referred to Bavaria's Minister of Culture Michael Piazolo and Prime Minister Markus Söder.
Weeks ago they asked the municipalities to purchase mobile air filter devices.
“They aren't dull cheeks.
Sorry if I put it that way. ”As suggested by the administration, relying on air conditioning systems is all well and good.
Hopfner: "But it's about something happening in autumn."
City is based on the recommendations of the Federal Environment Agency
With regard to the delivery times, “I don't think we would get devices here quickly,” interjected Ewald Kailberth (CSU). Heiko Hawla (Free Voters) warned against faking false security through ventilation systems. For Sabine Lorenz (CSU), too, the disadvantages outweighed the disadvantages. "Mainly because we are in the fortunate position that we can ventilate," she said.
Administrative employee Kerstin Pratzel presented the disadvantages in detail. It mainly referred to statements made by the Federal Environment Agency. According to these, the city wants to act after consultation with the health department in Bad Tölz, explained Müller. What speaks against the mobile devices is that they have not yet been certified, that they have to be regularly serviced by specialist staff and that they cause noise. Above all, however, it would still have to be aired regularly. "The cold is the main problem for the children," reported Pratzel. In view of this, Second Mayor Sonja Frank (FW) feared only buying electronic waste later on for tax money. "It gets cold with or without a device."
Elmar Immertreu suggested trying out one or the other mobile device at least once.
The town hall chief agreed to this.
Then he wanted to report.
Müller: "If a benefit has actually been determined, we no longer need to discuss it."
31 ventilation systems are in operation at the schools
The city of Geretsried is responsible for material expenses for the Isardamm primary school, the Adalbert Stifter secondary school and the Karl Lederer primary and secondary school. A total of 107 class and subject rooms come together. According to Mayor Michael Müller, they all fall under Category 1, in which, according to the Federal Environment Agency, the use of mobile air purification devices is not necessary. There an exchange of air is guaranteed through regular intermittent or cross ventilation or through ventilation and air conditioning systems (RLT). This is checked with CO2 measuring devices. Upon request from Dr. Detlev Ringer (Greens) added city hall employee Kerstin Pratzel that the city had bought 20 pieces per school, which were passed on.
According to Roswitha Foißner, the city's energy manager, the problem that the room temperature drops in the winter months due to regular ventilation can only be dealt with with air conditioning systems with heat recovery.
They are "the most sustainable measure to improve indoor air hygiene," she quoted the Federal Environment Agency.
There are a total of 31 systems at the Geretsried schools.
The Karl-Lederer-Grundschule is best equipped with a central ventilation system.
In the old building of the Isardamm primary school and in the Adalbert Stifter secondary school, 20 rooms each would have to be retrofitted.
The latter is to be renovated.
However, according to Foißner, the installation of air conditioning devices could be preferred.
In the Karl-Lederer-Mittelschule there are exhaust systems in the gym and in the toilets, but not in the 25 classrooms.
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