Hof (dpa / lby) - The city of Hof in Upper Franconia wants to return 379 air cleaning devices used in schools to the manufacturer because they are said to be defective. The city hall announced on Tuesday. "Our schools would have been fully equipped with air filter devices for months if the company commissioned had delivered on time and in accordance with the technical specifications," said Mayor Eva Döhla (SPD). "But since the devices have technical defects and no rectification has taken place so far, we want to withdraw from the contract." The company that made the systems was initially unavailable for comment.
The city has fulfilled all its obligations and "I have tried with considerable effort to rectify the situation. The negotiations are ongoing, the outcome remains to be seen," said Döhla. Legal disputes cannot be ruled out, money has not yet been paid for the systems. According to the information, the 379 devices were delivered to the schools after the EU-wide tender.
Since March 2021, due to the pandemic, there have been 41 mobile air filter systems at the Hof schools to improve indoor air quality with small windows. The 379 new devices should also serve as a replacement for the previous ones.
The schools should not be closed again in the second Corona winter. To reduce the risk of infection, the government gives money for air filters in classrooms. The use of air filters is controversial. The Federal Environment Agency recommends permanently installed ventilation systems.
