<img src="https://secure.insightful-cloud-365.com/264240.png" style="display:none;">
The HEPACART Blog

Why Temporary Barriers Are a Must for Any School Construction Project

Why Temporary Barriers Are a Must for Any School Construction Project
7:45

Blog_SchoolConstruction_900x450

Learning doesn’t stop for construction, so your safety standards can’t either. Across the country, schools have to tackle necessary renovations and construction projects like upgrading outdated HVAC systems, renovating classrooms, and expanding facilities to meet growing demands. These projects are critical to maintain a safe and healthy environment for students and staff, but more often than not, they’re happening while school is still in session.

That means vulnerable students and hardworking staff are sharing space with active construction zones. And that poses a serious challenge: how do you protect health and maintain focus when demolition, dust, and noise are just one wall away?

The standard answer has often been quick fixes like plastic sheeting or caution tape. But when student well-being, academic performance, and trust from your community are on the line, “good enough” simply isn’t good enough.

As a school facility manager, you’re already busy enough without the added complications of ongoing renovation or maintenance work. That’s why temporary barriers are your ideal solution to keep your facility clean, safe, and healthy, so you can confidently focus your attention on everything else you have on your plate

The Hidden Risks of Construction in Occupied Schools

When a renovation area isn’t properly contained, the impact doesn’t stay confined to the job site. Dust and debris can easily travel into nearby classrooms, especially through shared HVAC systems or high-traffic hallways. And once it’s in the air, it becomes more than just a mess. It becomes a health risk.

Over 1 in 13 school-aged kids in the U.S. have asthma, according to the CDC. For them, even a small amount of construction dust can lead to serious respiratory issues. Without proper containment, a routine upgrade can quickly turn into a safety concern.

And it’s not just dust. Constant noise, unfamiliar equipment, and open construction areas can make it harder for students to concentrate or even feel safe. There’s also the real possibility of students coming into contact with tools or materials that shouldn’t be anywhere near them. Beyond the health risks, poor containment can lead to compliance issues around indoor air quality, ICRA standards, or general safety protocols.

Why Containment Matters More Than Ever

Containment isn’t just about putting up a wall. It’s about keeping the rest of the school operating like it should. Done right, temporary barriers limit noise, keep dust where it belongs, and help everyone stay focused on what matters: teaching and learning.

We know that indoor air quality has a direct effect on student performance. In fact, Harvard research shows that poor air quality can reduce academic performance by up to 15%. That’s not a margin most schools can afford to lose, especially these days.

Good containment also helps you stay ahead of regulatory standards. Agencies like the EPA expect schools to manage indoor air during construction, and when you’re working in an occupied building, particularly one full of children, that responsibility becomes even more serious.

A Better Approach: STARC® Temporary Wall Systems

Blog_RealWall_900x450

Quick fixes like plastic sheeting and plywood might seem like enough to get the job done, but they just can’t hold up in an active school environment. You need a solution that’s safer, cleaner, and built for the challenges of an occupied facility. Thankfully, that’s exactly what STARC Systems were designed to do.

STARC modular wall systems were designed with durability, cleanability, and speed in mind for a variety of highly sensitive environments, giving you a fast, professional-grade way to contain dust, reduce noise, and maintain trust throughout your school’s construction, renovation, or maintenance project.

Why Facility Managers Choose STARC Systems

  • Fast and Easy Setup: Most STARC walls can be installed in under an hour, with no tools required — making them ideal for overnight work or tight schedules.
  • Professional Appearance: Clean, solid panels help your facility look organized and under control — not like a construction zone held together with duct tape.
  • Reusable and Cost-Effective: Panels are built to be reused across multiple projects, saving money over time while supporting sustainability goals.
    Compatible with HEPA Filtration: STARC systems integrate with HEPAFORCE® negative air machines to help meet ICRA Class I–V standards and improve indoor air quality.

Introducing: The STARC Systems Product Lines

STARC® LiteBarrier™

Lightweight but more durable than typical polycarbonate systems, LiteBarrier™ panels are reusable, easy to sanitize, and compatible with RealWall™ setups. They’re a great option for projects that need flexibility without compromising appearance or performance.

STARC® RealWall™

Need something that looks and feels like a real wall? RealWall™ delivers with a solid core, exceptional sound dampening, and a professional finish that blends into the school environment. It’s fully customizable and installs quickly — ideal for projects in sensitive or high-traffic areas.

Trusted by Thousands of Facilities Nationwide

STARC Systems are trusted by over 5,000 healthcare and commercial facilities across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Their modular barriers have helped institutions of all sizes maintain safe, clean environments during active renovation. When construction threatens your school’s safety and ability to continue with business as usual, trust the industry’s very best solution; STARC Temporary Wall Barriers. 

Where Temporary Walls Make the Biggest Impact

Temporary barriers are especially useful in the areas of your school where work and daily activity have to safely coexist. Think about hallways just outside a classroom renovation, or a library upgrade that can’t shut down the space entirely. Maybe you’re replacing HVAC units above the nurse’s office, converting locker rooms into learning spaces, or working on main office updates while the admin team is still inside. These aren’t projects you can isolate off-site — they’re happening in the heart of your building.

That’s where high-quality temporary wall barriers come in. They help you create clean, quiet separation between construction and daily school operations so students stay safe, staff can focus, and your project moves forward without constant disruption.

Smart Containment is Your Facility’s First Line of Defence

When construction and school schedules overlap, you don’t have the luxury of pausing one to make room for the other. The work has to get done, and students and staff still need a safe, healthy place to show up every day. That’s why containment isn’t just a box to check. It’s a critical part of how you protect your people, keep learning on track, and maintain trust with your entire school community.

STARC temporary wall systems give you a simple, reliable way to make that happen. Built for speed, safety, and clean separation, they’re the kind of solution that helps everything run smoother, without adding more to your plate.

If you’re heading into a school renovation, or may in the future, now’s the time to rethink how you handle containment. Don’t settle for short-term fixes that create long-term problems. Choose a system that’s built to meet today’s standards and ready for whatever’s next.

Take the first step toward safer school construction today and download our free Ultimate Guide to Indoor Air Quality. 

DOWNLOAD THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDE

 

The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Air Quality in High-Risk Environments