Hot Air Over Science Building Ventilation System

JENNIFER THAI
Staff Writer

What do you notice as you take a tour around Alhambra High? Some might answer with its architecture while others comment on its school spirit. However, behind every building is the mechanics that keeps the air on campus functioning.

Complaints from students and teachers alike have been recently spread regarding the heating and air conditioning ventilation throughout classes. Teachers complain that the ventilation system disrupts class instruction. The amount of air transported creates the distinctive whirring that makes it difficult for students to pay attention.

“The classes upstairs have it worse because they are closer to the vents […] We’ve had experts check the vents [and the] noise level was 40 to 50 decibels,” science teacher Daniel Hyke said.

The current decibel level does not meet the state standard for California, which is 35 decibels in an empty classroom. The noise level problem has been an issue for over two and a half years now, since the science building was finished. The ventilation company has been conducting an ongoing repair and redesign in order to dampen the air vents; however, the problem still remains. Information on the company’s name was not available by the AUSD at the time of publication.

“There’s no timeline on when it’ll be approved [by the Division of the State Architect]; they are still working on minor repairs to lower the noise level,” Principal Brad Walsh said. “It’s still being negotiated.”

Air ventilation problems come at the expense of a successful learning experience. At times, teachers and students cannot hear each other during class.

“It’s hard to concentrate sometimes because of the AC noise, [especially] when I’m near the wall in class,” sophomore Monica Wu said. “I’ve heard the workers fixing [the vents] on the roof before. I hope it gets fixed soon.”