2025 RECONVENED SESSION
REENROLLED
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 9 of Title 22.1 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-141.3, 22.1-141.4, and 22.1-141.5, relating to public school buildings; indoor air quality; inspection and evaluation.
[S 1413]
Approved
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 9 of Title 22.1 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-141.3, 22.1-141.4, and 22.1-141.5, as follows:
Article 4.
Indoor Air Quality; Inspection and Evaluation.
22.1-141.3. Scope of article.
The provisions of this article apply to matters relating to indoor air quality in public school buildings occupied by school board employees and students during regular work and school hours.
22.1-141.4. Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Certified testing, adjusting, and balancing technician" means (i) a technician, tradesperson, or apprentice certified to perform testing, adjusting, and balancing of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems by the Associated Air Balance Council, the National Environmental Balancing Bureau or, the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau or (ii) a person certified to perform ventilation assessments of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems through a certification body accredited by the American National Standards Institute.
"Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system" means the equipment, distribution network, controls, and terminals that provide, either collectively or individually, heating, ventilation, or air conditioning to a building.
"Indoor air quality" means air quality within buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.
22.1-141.5. Industry-recognized uniform inspection and evaluation.
A. At least once every four years, each local school division shall provide for an industry-recognized uniform inspection and evaluation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in each public school building in the local school division. Such inspection and evaluation shall be performed by a certified testing, adjusting, and balancing technician, an industrial hygienist certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, a technician with a Master HVAC License from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, or a mechanical engineer. Such heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems inspection and evaluation shall include:
1. Testing for maximum filter efficiency;
2. Physical measurements of outside air delivery rate;
3. Verification of the appropriate condition and operation of ventilation components;
4. Measurement of air distribution system outside air, return air, and supply air and static pressure readings across all air handling unit components, including filters, coils, and fans;
5. Verification of unit operation and that required maintenance has been performed in accordance with the most recent indoor ventilation standards promulgated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers;
6. Verification of carbon dioxide sensors and acceptable carbon dioxide concentrations indoors; and
7. Collection of field data for the installation of mechanical ventilation if none exists.
B. The portion of the uniform inspection and evaluation required pursuant to subsection A that relates to the ventilation system shall identify the extent to which each school's current ventilation system components, including any existing central or noncentral mechanical ventilation system, are operating in such a manner as to provide appropriate ventilation to the school building in accordance with the most recent indoor ventilation standards promulgated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
C. Each local school division shall prepare a written report of the results of the uniform inspection and evaluation required pursuant to subsection A that includes any corrective actions necessary to be performed on the mechanical ventilation system or the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning infrastructure, including installation of filters meeting the most optimal level of filtration available for a given heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, installation of carbon dioxide sensors, and additional maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or replacement. Each local school division shall make such report available for public inspection at a regularly scheduled local school board meeting and on the local school board's public website.
D. No local school division is required to provide for a uniform inspection and evaluation pursuant to subsection A for any school building that will cease to be used as a school within one year of such a planned inspection and evaluation.