Vantaa Clean Air School is Finland’s first portable clean school with space for 50 pupils

The Vantaa Clean Air School is a 50-pupil school building that was completed in January 2020. The building, also called the Indoor Environment Pavilion, is the first portable clean school in Finland. It will serve as a learning environment for pupils suffering from sick building syndrome.

Annika Varsio, project manager at the City of Vantaa’s Facilities Centre, is delighted with the new building. The end result has met our expectations for a clean school and both the client and the users are delighted.

The Clean Air School has been built using Parmaco Health’s modular construction method, which offers a wide range of possibilities for modifying and even moving the school as the need for its use changes. The modules, made of patented Fixcel steel cells, were an excellent choice for this project as the steel frame does not provide a breeding ground for mould or microbes.

During the project, the client’s representatives were able to see the Parmaco Health (formerly Fixcel) construction method and the school under construction.
“At the company’s factory in Hämeenlinna, we were able to see the factory premises and the elements being manufactured for our site. The cooperation with Fixcel has been smooth throughout the project. The contacts were pleasant to deal with,” Varsio recalls.

Indoor air safety was considered at all stages of construction

During the design and construction of the school, special attention was paid to the safety of the building’s indoor air. The modules for the building were manufactured in Fixcel’s own factory, where construction took place under controlled indoor conditions.

Special attention was paid to humidity during the installation phase of the building. In addition to using the Kuivaketju10 operating model, other precautions were taken. For example, the building site was equipped with shelters and installation work was only carried out on clear days.

The requirements for clean indoor air also had a significant impact on the building’s equipment. The air quality in the rooms had to be very good, but the air distribution had to be such that the efficient air conditioning did not interfere with the occupancy of the rooms. Structures in contact with the indoor air were to be free from any source of air quality pollutants and all materials were to be low emission. The indoor environment requirements were met according to indoor air class S1.

Varsio praises the smooth installation phase.
“Fixcel had good traction on site. An excellent site manager immediately and conscientiously took care of all deficiencies. The neighbouring Simonkylä school continued to operate normally during the works and the school yard was renovated at the same time. Again, this collaboration was safe, smooth and informed for all parties involved. I have no hesitation in recommending Fixcel as a KVR and prefab contractor,” says Varsio.