Window Film to Prevent Overheating and Solar Glare in Schools

Solar energy can have a detrimental effect in many workplaces, whether that is in offices, warehouses or even schools. The common complaint of overheating and solar glare can make working environments extremely uncomfortable to be in, consequently leading to unhealthy (and unhappy) employees. In schools - the focus of this article - both pupils and teachers are finding these problems increasingly difficult to cope with.

Whilst the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 24 degrees Celsius as a maximum for comfortable working, Safety law does not set a legal limit for workplace temperature. And despite the WHO regarding anything above 26 degrees Celsius as "definitely unacceptable", many pupils and teachers continue to suffer with overheating and solar glare as a result of inadequate countermeasures.

Tim Lucas, a chemistry teacher and NUT branch secretary in East Sussex, says: "Schools can get so hot there is a deleterious effect on the ability of teachers and pupils to concentrate." Many people also complain of dizziness, fainting and even heat cramps as a result of overbearing temperatures.

Thankfully there is an effective solution: Window Film. The application of Window Film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 75%, and also reduce glare by up to 85%. In schools where pupils are expected to concentrate for long periods of time, reducing indoor heat is essential if children are to receive the best possible education. Likewise, if teachers are to teach effectively they also must enjoy a comfortable working environment. In addition, with more and more schools investing in Information Technology infrastructure and computers, reducing glare on Visual Display Units (VDUs) has never been more important. Window Film can effectively solve these two problems in one fell swoop. Applying solar Window Film to glass can also minimise UV (Ultra Violet) radiation whilst maintaining natural light - yet another significant benefit!

The problems associated with solar energy are generally more prominent in schools that have been built more recently. New schools tend to contain a great deal of glass and feature more complex designs, making solar energy even more difficult to combat. The problem is exacerbated further since UK schools rarely have air conditioning installed.

Window Film also provides other practical benefits, such as increased security. Many "combination" Window Films offer both solar protection and security benefits, thereby helping to reduce the threat of burglary. Security Window Film can offer increased glass protection (ideal for preventing smashed glass), or may act as a deterrent by hiding equipment from view. But one must not forget the aesthetic benefits of Window Film. It can improve the appearance of school exteriors and completely transform glass facades, so much so that once completed, a school may look completely regenerated.

With a significant reduction in heat coupled with the additional benefit of anti-glare properties, solar Window Film it fast becoming the product of choice for schools wishing to combat overheating and solar glare. The product enhances the learning environment by creating a more comfortable atmosphere, and benefits both pupils and teachers alike.

Back-Burnered San Francisco Schools Committee Now Moving to Forefront

In 2003, a committee was created with members appointed from the city Board of Supervisors and the Board of Education. In the beginning, the committee was used to discuss joint concerns on issues, such as affordable housing for teachers, student nutrition, and graffiti in the San Francisco schools. Unfortunately, the structure of the joint committee was a matter of contention from the committee's inception with an imbalance of power.

The Board of Supervisors control the forum. They decide what issues are put on the meeting agendas for discussion. They have the right to make inquiries of the San Francisco schools' officials, who are expected to respond to all inquiries. Unfortunately, this is a one-way power structure.

The San Francisco schools are funded by the state and not accountable to city or county governments. The structure of the committee makes the San Francisco schools' officials accountable to the city's Board of Supervisors and doomed from the beginning. Thus, the committee has met rarely in the past couple of years.

Though the San Francisco schools' officials and city supervisors were scheduled to meet twice monthly in 2006, it did not happen, according to Jill Wynns, a veteran San Francisco schools' board member. Unfortunately, 2006 was a year the committee was most needed. There were several San Francisco schools issues in the forefront last year that caused undue tensions within the San Francisco schools and the community. There were several closures of San Francisco schools, for example, as well as decisions on the use of voter-approved enrichment funds (from the city) for San Francisco schools' expenditures.

A new committee chairman has been appointed to help bring the committee back to life. Chairman Bevan Dufty, a member of the Board of Supervisors, is promising a more mutual relationship within the committee to build more and better communication between the two leaderships.

In order to breath new life into the committee, Dufty plans to approach the forum as equal partners between the city supervisors and the San Francisco schools' officials, beginning with agenda items. San Francisco schools' officials now will be able to submit requests to put issues on meeting agendas. Though Dufty still has final say on the agenda items and there has been no commitment to two-way inquiries, this is a major first step toward positive change.

Other members of the committee include veteran supervisor Sophie Maxwell, newly appointed supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, veteran San Francisco schools' official Jill Wynns, and newly-elected San Francisco schools' officials Jane Kim and Mydra Mendoza.

It is hoped that the infusion of new people, especially the new chairman, will energize the committee into a partnership for positive change within the San Francisco schools.