MEMO REGARDING ON-GOING INVESTIGATION AND REPAIRS TO ADDRESS INDOOR AIR QUALITY:

On Jan 6, 2017, at 3:18 PM, JULIE HARCROW <jharcrow@aisd.net> wrote:

Please see the latest update on the work currently being done to try and identify the cause of our indoor air quality issue.

As always, I will pass along any additional information and updates as they are received.

Please continue to report symptoms as they are experienced and add them to the Google Doc. If the symptoms are the
same, it is fine to identify them as the same as previously reported. The link for the online form is:

www.bit.ly/nicholsair

Thank you for your diligence in this process. We all want answers, and staying the course gives us the best possible
chance at finding some!

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay safe and warm!!

Julie Harcrow | Principal

Nichols Jr. High | Arlington ISD
682.867.2650 | jharcrow@aisd.net
Transform Today; Empower Tomorrow
From: CINDY POWELL
Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2017 11:32 PM
To: JULIE HARCROW <jharcrow@aisd.net>
Cc: MICHELLE WILMOTHSENATO <mwilmoth@aisd.net>; MICHAEL HILL <mhill4@aisd.net>; WILLIAM HORN
<whorn@aisd.net>; LESLIE JOHNSTON <ljohnsto@aisd.net>
Subject: Nichols Jr. High Update

Julie:

Good evening. I hope you enjoyed the holidays. I want to update you on work that has taken place at Nichols
since December 9th, the date of the faculty meeting at which we provided the last comprehensive update.

An inspection of the HVAC systems has been completed. An indoor air quality assessment is underway and
will continue into next week. A new copier has also been installed.

HVAC Inspection: The mechanical engineering firm of Estes, McClure & Associates (EMA) evaluated the
existing condition of the schools current HVAC systems. A copy of the report is attached. EMA reported that
the HVAC equipment is in good condition, the air-handler rooms are in good order and filters are clean. The
equipment is 24-years old but still has useful life remaining. Minor dust and rust were found in the units, but it
did not appear to hamper the systems performance. HVAC control components are obsolete and beyond their
useful life; however, the condition of the controls should not hamper control of the HVAC system. EMA
recommends the following:

Cleaning coils in the units if this has not been done in the past year. (AISD note: the coils in the unit
serving the office area have been cleaned to address complaints of a lingering smell in that area. We
will clean those coils again using an enhanced cleaning process and disinfectant beginning this
week. Cleaning of coils in other parts of the building will follow recommendations from Armstrong
Forensics.)
Cleaning the interior of the HVAC units, including drain pans. (AISD note: cleaning of the drain pans
will begin this week. Life cycle replacements of air handler components, several roof-top units,
controls, chiller and boiler are included in the bond work that will begin in the coming weeks.)
Replacing the HVAC controls. (AISD note: the HVAC controls are scheduled for replacement as part
of the bond work that will begin in the coming weeks).

Indoor air quality evaluation. The industrial hygiene firm, Armstrong Forensics, is currently evaluating air
quality at Nichols. Four data loggers were placed at Nichols last week, and those devices have been moved
several times to capture data in various rooms. The data loggers will be used into next week so that data is
captured both when the building is empty and when it is fully occupied. (AISD note: Results of the meter
readings will be given to the air balancing firm contracted by AISD. Adjustments will be made to ensure that
the air exchange is appropriate throughout the building.)

New copier. A new Cannon copier was installed in the office area prior to Winter Break.

The findings, recommendations and related AISD actions will be shared with the Tarrant County Public Health
Department and with EPA for their consideration and feedback. Please let me know if you have any questions
regarding the information above.

Cindy Powell, CPA

Chief Financial Officer
Arlington Independent School District
1203 W. Pioneer Parkway
Arlington, TX 76013
Office: (682) 867-7243
You're receiving this message because you're a member of the Nichols - Announcements group.
 PRE-COMMISSIONING REPORT

December 16, 2016

NICHOLS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

ARLIGNTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

ENGINEER:

ESTES, McCLURE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING

3608 WEST WAY

TYLER, TEXAS 75703

903 581 2677

REGISTRATION NO. F-000893

____________________________
Josh Gentry, P.E.


Purpose of Report
As part of our commissioning services for the project, Estes, McClure and Associates, Inc. was asked to
evaluate the existing condition of the HVAC systems. This observation report provides an overview of
the existing equipment and recommendations to Arlington Independent School District. The
recommendations focus on maintaining and improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) of the facility.

System Type
Most of the facility (classrooms, administration, cafeteria) is served by 8 large air handling units (AHUs).
The units are multizone AHUs with a chilled water coil, supply fan and zone dampers. Each zone has a
duct-mounted hot water coil for heating. This system type is traditionally referred to as a Texas
Multizone AHU. The outside air and return air ducts are ducted into the AHU and there is no free
return in the mechanical room. All the chilled water and hot water valves, as well as the zone dampers,
outside air dampers and return air dampers have pneumatic actuators.

Fig. 1 Overall condition of AHUs Fig. 2 Heating coil in zone duct

Summary of Findings
Overall, the AHUs are in good condition and have been well maintained. The AHUs are approximately
24 years old but still have useful life remaining. The mechanical rooms where the AHUs are located are
very clean and orderly and there was no evidence of any dirt or debris in the rooms. The air filters inside
each AHU were in very good condition and appear to have been changed recently.

Fig. 3 Clean air filters in AHU Fig. 4 Clean fan section of AHU

There was minor dust buildup on the inside of the AHU including the walls and access doors as well as
the cooling coil. This buildup should not significantly affect the performance of the unit and was less
than expected for the age of the equipment. There was also some rusting of the drain pans in several
units. This is typical for AHUs of this age and can be cleaned as part of a preventive maintenance
routine. If rust cannot be cleaned, then the drain pan can be replaced.

Fig. 5 Minor rust in drain pan Fig. 6 Minor dust buildup on coil

Pneumatic control components such as valves, dampers, actuators and DDC components have become
obsolete and are beyond their useful life. In several locations, there was evidence that the chilled water
valves have leaked over time. This is consistent with the age and type of valve and should not
significantly affect the operation of the AHU.

Fig. 7 Minor water leaks from pneumatic chilled water valves

In general, the comfort levels within the building appeared to be acceptable and there were no detectable
IAQ issues at the time of the visit.

Recommendations
Due to the age of the equipment, Estes, McClure and Associates, Inc. would recommend the following:

1) Cleaning all CHW coils in the AHUs if this has not been done within the last year. Existing
maintenance staff are capable of flushing and cleaning the chilled water coils within the AHUs.
This would remove and minor dust buildup and extend the life of the AHU.

2) Cleaning the interior of all AHUs including the drain pans. Existing maintenance staff are
capable of cleaning of the AHU interior and drain pan. If necessary, the unit manufacturer can
provide pricing on drain pan replacement.

3) Replacing pneumatic components as early as possible. While these components are in fair
condition, they are beyond their useful life and should be replaced at the next possible time. This
will provide better control of the temperature of the building and reduce maintenance costs at the
facility.