Areas for improvement in high school and college education

¶ … Improving Summer School Classrooms at a Local High School

The local high school in question conducts summer school classes each year, including remedial coursework for students needing make-up classes as well as special curricular offerings such as drivers' education which are offered during the summer months only. The high school, though, is aging and was constructed just after World War II, a period that was prior to the widespread use of air conditioning in public schools. Over time, a series of five modular housing ("trailers") were placed next to the high school's main building and used to supplement the main building's classrooms, none of which were air conditioned either, but all o which were used for summer school classes to reduce maintenance and utility costs for the main building. Prior to the implementation of this project, students were provided with frequent breaks for water but no other provisions were made for their comfort during the summer months. In many cases, temperatures in summer school classrooms would soar to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and, despite the installation of oscillating fans in all of the classrooms, there were at least two cases of heat stroke among students taking the drivers' education course in July in one of the modular housing classrooms. Following these incidents, the decision to purchase window unit air conditioners of appropriate size was made as described further below.

Scope. The scope of this project extended to installing air conditioning window units in all five of the modular housing classrooms located next to the high school's main building.

2.

DISCUSSION

Approach. The selection of the air conditioning window units proceeded in a step-by-step fashion, with the square footage of the modular housing classrooms being determined, followed by an analysis of appropriate window units that would accommodate these dimensions using the formula set forth in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Air Conditioning Capacity Needed by Square Footage

Area to Be Cooled (square feet)

Capacity Needed (BTU per hour)

100 to 150

5,000

150 to 250

6,000

250 to 300

7,000

300 to 350

8,000

350 to 400

9,000

400 to 450

10,000

450 to 500

12,000

500 to 700

14,000

700 to 1,000

18,000

Source: Air Conditioner Buying Guide (2005) at http://www.lowes.com/cd_Air+Conditioner+ Buying+Guide_70993886_

In addition, cost estimates were formulated concerning installation and any modifications that would be needed to in order accommodate the five new air conditioning window units in the modular housing classrooms. Finally, a comparison of prices, efficiency, performance (the air conditioners had to be Energy Star compliant in order to satisfy school district requirements) and warranties offered by three local appliance dealers was conducted and a spreadsheet prepared with the results of the analysis which are discussed further below.

Result. The results of the preliminary analysis using the steps described above found that the five trailers each measured approximately 475 square feet, which optimally requires the use of a 12,000-BTU window unit air conditioner. The preliminary analysis also showed that no special modifications would be required to be made to the modular housing classrooms' windows in order to accommodate window unit air conditioners and that all of the vendors delivered and installed their air conditioning units as a customer service. The remaining results of the preliminary analysis are set forth in Table 2 below.

Table 2

Air Conditioning Window Unit Comparisons

Dealer

Model/Make

BTU

Unit Price

Total Price

Comments

A

Frigidaire FRA126CT1 Window Air Conditioner

12,000

$325

$1,625

1. Cools up to 650 square feet.

2. UL listed.

3. 8-way air direction control

4. Clean air ionizer

5. Antibacterial mesh filter type, tilt-out filter access

6. Features electronic controls with temperature sensing remote

7. Antibacterial mesh filter cleans the air, removing harmful bacteria and allergens

8. Quiet operation

9. One-year manufacturer warranty

B

Kenmore

Room Air Conditioner

Model #70121

12,000 BTU

$303.93

$1,520

1. 24-hour timer

2. Sleep mode.

3. One-year limited warranty; 5-year sealed system limited warranty.

4. Eight-way louvers

C

Keystone KSTAW12A 10.8 EER Energy Star Window Air Conditioner with Full Function Remote Control

12,000 BTU

$299.00

$1,495

1. Electronic Controls with LED Display

2. Full-Function Follow Me LCD Remote

3. Sleep mode, Timer, and Energy-Saver Mode

4. Three Fan Speeds and Auto-Restart

5. Adjustable Air Flow Direction with Easy Clean Filter

6. Two-Years Parts and Labor Warranty and 5-Years Sealed System Warranty

The preliminary analysis of the available models appropriate for the school's purposes indicated that the Frigidaire FRA126CT1 Window Air Conditioner was most suitable despite the extra cost because of its quiet operation feature as well as its superior antibacterial mesh filter which was considered important in the confined spaces of the modular classrooms.

Statement of Work. Based on the foregoing, a corresponding statement of work was developed as set forth in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Statement of Work for Window Unit Air Conditioners

Provision

Description

Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to install five Frigidaire FRA126CT1 Window Air Conditioner units in a local high school's five modular housing classrooms.

Scope of Work

The scope of the contract extends to delivery, installation, and testing of the installed units to ensure appropriate operation as well as any ongoing maintenance that is required on the units pursuant to their warranties.

Work

All work will be required to be completed on the high school's grounds in the five modular housing classrooms.

Performance Period

Next day delivery and installation

Acceptance Criteria

Five intact, fully functioning Frigidaire FRA126CT1 Window Air Conditioner units installed in the high school's five modular housing classrooms.

Payment Schedule

Net 30 days per school district policy

3.

RESOURCES

Personnel. The school district's purchasing department would be required to develop the costing analysis described above, and a school district engineer representative would be needed to oversee installation and ensure satisfactory operation of the installed Frigidaire FRA126CT1 Window Air Conditioner units. The remaining installation work would be performed by the vendor.