THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995                TAG: 9504010235
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                         LENGTH: Short :   47 lines

CITY PRESSES BUILDER TO CLEAR AIR AT SCHOOL

After receiving several complaints about air quality at Churchland High School, the city has again asked the school's builder to correct ventilation-system problems.

City inspections of the school have uncovered several problems that the contractor was asked to correct, Richard A. Hartman, the city's director of public works and engineering, said Friday.

Many of the problems weren't spotted when the school opened nearly three years ago, a city spokesman said.

In recent months, some faculty members and students have complained about air quality in parts of the building. Last week, a Churchland parent expressed concern because her daughter repeatedly complained about getting headaches and feeling faint in class.

During a recent inspection, city officials discovered improperly installed outside vents in parts of the school, Hartman said. The contractor, Vermont-based Pizzagalli, agreed to correct the problem as soon as possible, he added.

City spokesman Michael Stephens said it would be ``premature'' to connect any reported illnesses among students or staffers to ``sick building'' syndrome. That condition occurs when a combination of faulty heating and inadequate air circulation leads to a buildup of moisture, mold and mildew.

The problem has occurred in several of Virginia Beach's newer schools designed for energy efficiency with minimal exposure to outside air. The mold and mildew invading the schools have been blamed for some people's aggravated allergies and respiratory difficulties.

Last August, officials tested air quality in four Churchland High rooms. School district records show a 1994 request to correct an ``air balancing problem'' at the school.

A previous city inspection also discovered some malfunctioning fans designed to pull in outside air. That problem was corrected, Hartman said.

After the outside vents are properly installed, Stephens said, inspectors will investigate further to make sure Churchland's heating and cooling systems are being used properly. Hartman said the contractor has covered the cost of additional work. by CNB