The hot periods of the summer of 2024 did not break the action limit values ​​in schools and kindergartens

In the summer of 2024, the environmental health care of Etelä-Häme implemented a project, the aim of which was to find out the temperature conditions of schools and kindergartens in the nine municipalities of the domain. The duties of the Health Protection Authority include regular supervision of schools and daycare centers.

The goal of the project work was to learn more deeply about the effects of hot periods in properties of different ages. Climate change causes extreme temperatures, which lengthen the periods of heat and cold. Extended periods of heat and cold affect the temperature conditions of buildings and thus the users of the premises. Above all, population groups in a more vulnerable position, such as children and the elderly, are vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures.

Almost 4 children and young people are included in the study

The target group of the project work was children, whose rooms were evaluated with the help of room-specific fixed temperature sensors and with the help of the project worker's temperature measurements and observations. Information was also collected through surveys aimed at users of the property and facility services. The total number of children in the 15 schools and 14 kindergartens in the nine participating municipalities was approximately 3 children and young people. Private kindergartens and schools were excluded from the study.

More protection is needed in the yards of schools and kindergartens

The results showed that more than 60 percent of the respondents to the survey were not satisfied with the temperature conditions at their office. The rising indoor temperatures in spring and summer were especially perceived as a problem, but a feeling of draft had also been experienced in winter.

Regarding the temperature conditions, yard areas were also taken into account. The yard areas would need more protection from direct sunlight. In the temperature measurements, the results were compared to the limit values ​​set by the Residential Health Regulation 545/2015. The temperature measurements did not exceed the limit values, but there is still room for improvement in the temperature conditions based on the answers to the survey.

The temperature conditions of kindergartens and elementary schools cause inconvenience to the users of the facilities. During the project, it did not appear that the temperatures caused any real harm to health. However, according to the survey, there are a lot of people who suffer from discomfort. It is important to guarantee a healthy and comfortable environment for children.

Regular inspection every three years

Etelä-Häme environmental health care, as a health protection authority, regularly inspects schools and daycare centers. A regular inspection is carried out on average every three years in every kindergarten and school in the environmental healthcare domain.

The inspection evaluates, among other things, the functionality of the facilities, the number of customer seats in relation to the size of the building, the adequacy of ventilation, cleanliness and cleanability in addition to temperature conditions. The fact that the building and its yard areas are a healthy and safe place for children is the perspective of the inspection, where building technical functionality is one of the key factors of the inspection.

Environmental health in Etelä Häme operates in the areas of Forssa, Hausjärvi, Humppila, Janakkala, Jokiointe, Lope, Riihimäki, Tammela and Ypäjä.

Environmental health in South Häme

Watch the introduction video of Etelä-Häme's environmental health on YouTube

Inka Puumalainen's thesis, implemented as part of the temperature project: Preparing for long-term extreme temperatures in kindergartens and elementary schools