Lighting and ventilation

PF12 Lighting, ventilation, heating and acoustic materials

• Lighting must be appropriate to the activities offered or purpose of each room.
• Check the lighting requirements in the Building Code.
• Consider if additional windows or skylights are required.
• Clothes dryers should be vented to the outdoors.
• Bathrooms, nappy change areas and laundries need to be well ventilated. If these rooms are internal, mechanical ventilation is required. Seek advice from your local health or building authority.
• Sleep areas must be well ventilated to allow air to circulate so that old air can exit and fresh air can enter. At least 2 openings are usually needed to achieve this. Take advice from your local health authority.

Building Code compliance – Building Performance

Acoustics

PF12 Lighting, ventilation, heating and acoustic materials

• Acoustic absorption materials may be necessary to reduce noise levels that may affect children's learning or wellbeing.
• Noise levels are higher in large open play spaces with high ceilings and unbroken hard surfaces.
• Carpeted areas, soft furnishings, acoustic tiles and complex shapes can all help reduce noise. Complex shapes may include mobiles, wall and ceiling hangings, and soft furnishings arranged to break up spaces.

Heating

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, regulation 45 – New Zealand Legislation

PF12 Lighting, ventilation, heating and acoustic materials

• Heating needs to be of a safe and effective means to heat rooms used by children to a minimum temperature of 18 degrees.
• Ceiling heaters or wall-mounted fan heaters placed above floor level (that is, higher on the wall) are safe and appropriate for ECE services because they are out of the children's way. Also, if they are not at ground level, they don't use up space that could be used for equipment display, couches, etc.
• Infrared heaters are good for heating large rooms such as church halls.
• Heat pumps are very efficient and cheap to run. They can also provide air conditioning in the summer. Extra fan heaters can be helpful because they heat a room quickly.
• Oil-filled column heaters are good in sleep rooms, if space allows, but must be guarded and secured for earthquake safety. They should also have a thermostat to prevent overheating. Ensure the plug is out of reach or permanently wired in.
• Under-floor heating can be a very good solution, especially for infants and toddlers who spend so much of their time on the floor.
• Ceiling fans help circulate heat and work well when combined with fan heaters or under-floor heating.
• Water-filled radiators (school heaters) need guards around them to protect children. They usually have only limited temperature control.
• Night stores can be a useful additional heat source. They should also be guarded.
• Heaters with fuel reservoirs (for example, kerosene or gas bottles) or electric bar heaters are dangerous in ECE centres because of the risks associated with fuel reserves.
• Think about capturing natural heat from the sun, for example double glazing and window positions. These decisions can save money as well as be aesthetically pleasing.