Air Quality Measurements
Outdoor AQI measurements that BSB use are from the World Air Quality Index. This refers to air quality measurement stations nearby our school and from the US Embassy official site. If there is any doubt, the Principal will make the decision as to whether or not we may take classes outdoors.
Training for all BSB Shunyi staff occurs in two sections: one for Admin staff and one for teaching staff. In these separate briefings, all staff are trained on the current policy as well as the required reaction and on the proper use of air purifiers in each room twice a year.
Indoor air quality results are measured by two external and independent companies, at the request of the Facilities Manager to ensure the measures taken are working well.
In line with the ISAC agreement among Beijing International Schools, an outdoor sports tournament will not begin where the AQI is 251 or above, with a 6:15am notification from the hosting school. Any sports tournament must end if the AQI moves to an unacceptable level during the event. The students will also be using the Sports Dome. The Sports Dome allows for PE, sport and play to continue even on the worst of weather conditions.
When the AQI is above 180, Primary children are restricted from high impact activities even indoors, and above 300 Secondary students are restricted during their indoor activities.
At a glance our AQI limits are:
AQI |
Action |
Over 150 and below 180 |
Pre-Nursery (Teddies) and Nursery have limited outdoor play (approximately two x 20 minutes per day). |
Over 180 |
Teddies, Nursery and Reception students stay indoors |
Over 200 |
Primary school students stay indoors |
Over 250 |
Secondary school students stay indoors and all outdoor sport tournaments are cancelled. All outdoor after school activities are cancelled. |
Over 300 |
Beijing day trips and excursions are cancelled. |
For more detail, please download the Air Quality Index (AQI) Guidelines to see the response taken by our school, depending on the AQI level.