The mechanical team in the SD43 Facilities Department has been focused on ensuring all systems perform as designed and has engaged the services of a professional consultant as recommended in the HVAC section of the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings. Consistent with the Provincial COVID-19 Guidelines recommendations, the district is pursuing properly maintained systems and ensuring both enhanced ventilation and enhanced filtration without compromising system components or design considerations. 

As MERV 13 filters are not compatible with the majority of our systems, following ASHRAE guidelines, SD43's mechanical team was able to upgrade all schools' filtration from the previously used MERV 8 filters to a much higher grade of filtration than what was previously provided. New 9A dual filters offer superior particle capture in a 2-stage process that does not compromise other system components by restricting ventilation or flow as the MERV 13 filters often will do when installed in systems not optimized for MERV 13. 

With respect to system maintenance, a regular audit procedure has been implemented to help ensure that our systems continue to work efficiently.​​