Kaufering - Now the decision has been made: schools and kindergartens in the market town will be equipped with decentralized ventilation systems.
Mobile air purification devices should be avoided if possible.
The municipal council approved the management concept presented at the last meeting.
However, the implementation of the measures cannot take place until the beginning of next year.
Until then, it still means: Open the window.
It has long been clear that something has to be done to reduce the virus load: Because of the increasing number of Covid and the recurring variants, children in kindergartens and schools must be protected as best as possible, Kaufering's branch manager Dominic Jödicke introduced this item on the agenda.
Another goal: unrestricted face-to-face teaching - if possible without the need for a mask or test.
So far, the question of 'how' has remained open: decentralized ventilation systems or mobile air purification devices? The first thing to do was weigh up the advantages and disadvantages - one of the reasons why the issue could only now be resolved. But other points also had to be clarified in advance: such as noise tolerance for children and teachers or the basics for a power supply, especially in older school buildings.
Problematic with the air filter devices: Unrestricted safety for the children, especially with devices with significant UV exposure, is completely missing, says Daniel Gritl from the engineering office P + G commissioned to renovate the middle school, which now also does the 'ventilation planning' for the entire building complex primary and middle school as well as lunchtime care.
The released ozone could pollute the children's respiratory tract.
Such mobile devices are also very loud with up to 62dB.
For comparison: whispering is 30 dB, normal street noise is 60 dB, explained Gritl.
A higher maintenance effort for such mobile devices and an inadequate power supply in old school buildings make things even more difficult.
The decentralized ventilation systems clearly “won”: “High air quality, low heat loss, no drafts and a sound level of 30 dB - that means they run very quietly,” says Gritl.
The previously obtained statements from the school principals also resulted in a clear vote in favor of stationary systems.
In the summer, mobile devices, which become a further source of heat, are absolutely unsuitable in the rooms of the school, as it is already very warm here, it said.
In addition, if the acoustics in the rooms are bad anyway, another source of noise makes normal teaching hardly possible.
Therefore, Kaufering wants to avoid using mobile air purification devices as much as possible.
Instead, the installation of decentralized air conditioning (RTL) systems without circulating air is relied on.
Around 30 such systems are now to be installed in the middle school. Likewise 30 - despite the upcoming renovation - in the elementary school. After the renovation, it is planned to continue using the devices. In addition, there should be two ventilation systems in the lunch care area. However, the seven temporary container arrangements remain largely without ventilation systems. The kindergartens Don Bosco and Maria Himmelfahrt are already equipped with a ventilation system. In the kindergartens St. Johann as well as Paul and Paulinchen, the installation or replica still has to be checked.
The costs: with installation around 12,500 euros per device.
This results in a total cost of around 1,045,000 euros, including electrical installation, explained Jödicke.
However, the market benefits here from federal funding of 80 percent.
The implementation of the measures will not be possible until the beginning of 2022 - after planning and tendering and taking delivery times into account.
"That is a problem for me," replied the Greens parliamentary group spokesman Jürgen Strickstrock.
Although he is in favor of the concept, to be on the safe side he would like to go two ways and buy ten additional mobile air filter devices.
The councils, however, rejected a corresponding amendment by a majority.
Sascha Kenzler (UBV) suggested a completely different "approach": The severity of Corona is lower in children.
In addition, vaccination approvals would be further expanded.
Since the devices would not be there in winter anyway, he advocates not purchasing the devices at this point in time.
However, he remained the only one with a dissenting vote, so that the concept of the Kauferinger administration could be adopted.
In conclusion, Mayor Thomas Salzberger emphasized: “We have a Europe-wide invitation to tender - that takes time.” From the outset, they looked to act on a long-term basis.
"Corona will not be the last virus."