Covid-19 and air quality in schools: the Jean Jaurès college, an exemplary project

Fully equipped by Kingspan Light + Air with natural ventilation devices, the Jean Jaurès middle school is the first establishment to make such a massive commitment to improving indoor air quality; good ventilation constituting a barrier gesture against the Covid.

Kingspan's largest natural ventilation solution equipment project

The Jean Jaurès middle school is an exemplary project which mobilized the expertise of Kingspan Light + Air associated with the LESS is MORE design office, to set up a system to ensure optimal comfort and safety for students and teachers.

Launched in 2019, the project was completed in June 2021, with the installation of a Windcatcher natural ventilation system in each classroom, i.e. 40 devices in total.

In the event of strong heat, or an increase in CO2 above regulatory requirements, the Windcatcher turrets open automatically, allowing completely natural air renewal without opening the windows.

Responding to a Global Performance Market, the objective of real results takes on all its importance in this operation. This is why real-time monitoring of the composition of the air in each classroom (temperature, CO2 level, heating consumption) makes it possible to ensure compliance with standards and energy consumption thresholds.

Kingspan Light + Air has gone even further, by integrating additional functions, especially intended for schools, such as the mechanical sanitization of the classroom with an indoor air renewal program which automatically engages during the lunch break .

In line with the challenges of environmental transition and energy saving, the Gironde Departmental Council and the Jean Jaurès college wanted to find a more ecological ventilation solution to ensure the comfort of occupants during heat waves while consuming less.

The natural ventilation system offered by Kingspan considerably reduces electrical consumption and maintenance: a photovoltaic Windcatcher consumes less than a light bulb!

How does it work?

Windcatcher®, is a unique solution in France which ensures the renewal of air, the cooling of buildings and the reduction of the concentration of CO2 by using wind power and thermal convection.

A passive energy solution, this system uses natural airflow movements in space (ascent of stale hot air).

Regardless of the direction of the wind, these passive energy turrets capture air from prevailing winds to cool the building and evacuate stale air.

They now equip large-scale premises such as schools, hospitals, large companies, and other buildings open to the public.