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TechShed Help Center
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Why should I monitor CO2 levels?Numerous studies have concluded the link between high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) can significantly impair an individual’s cognitive performance. Berkley Labs undertook a study in 2012 that concluded: " …high indoor concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) can significantly impair people’s decision-making performance. The results were unexpected and may have particular implications for schools and other spaces with high occupant density." In a classroom setting, educational leaders and teachers want an optimal environment to maximise learning, which means optimal ventilation, light, and warmth levels. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has published a paper on the use of CO2 monitoring, highlighting that CO2 monitors were well suited to monitoring classrooms and offices.
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What causes CO2 to increase?People exhale CO2 when they breathe out. Over time, if there is a build-up of CO2 in a classroom, this may suggest ventilation needs improving (i.e. opening windows).
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What about Covid-19?Although CO2 levels are not a direct indicator of possible exposure to Covid-19, it is a contributing factor. Checking levels using a monitoring system will help you identify poorly ventilation areas. Good ventilation is therefore an important component of an employer’s overall strategy to reduce Covid-19 in the workplace. In particular ensuring multi-occupant workplaces where individuals are in the same room/space together for an extended period of time are well ventilated to help prevent the build-up of the virus and reduce the risk of transmission.
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How do I measure CO2 levels in the classroom?There are many types of CO2 monitoring devices, the most effective devices to use in the workplace or school environment are non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) CO2 monitors. NDIR sensors monitor and check for the presence of CO2 by measuring the absorption of infrared light at a specific wavelength. IoT sensor devices can measure the following: -CO2 - Humidity - Temperature - Light - TVOC - Pressure - HCHO - PM2.5 & PM10 - O3
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What do I need to measure CO2 levels in my school or college?Our CO2 monitoring solution comprises three main components: - Ambient room sensors – Measuring CO2, humidity, temperature, light, TVOC, pressure HCHO, PM2.5 & PM10, O3 and Presence. - Our enterprise cloud platform – The web application allows you to view real-time and historical data from the sensors. - LoRaWAN network – Similar to WiFi, but ultra-low-power – this provides connectivity to the sensors.
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Are the sensors difficult to install?- The CO2 sensors require 2 x AA batteries and connectivity to our gateway. They are then attached to the wall using screws or adhesive pads. - One network gateway will be required within the school – providing network access to the sensors (And other IoT devices). Gateways come supplied and connect to your school’s broadband connection. Network coverage does depend on the built environment. Please speak to us to find out more. - Our Cloud Platform is built in AWS and provides a highly scalable and secure environment for dashboards, data collection, storage and visualisation.
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What about accuracy and calibration?The sensors should be calibrated before making CO2 measurements. It will require a warm-up time for the device to stabilise. It is important not to rely on a single measurement as a snapshot and instead observe trends over time.
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How will CO2 monitoring help me take action?CO2 measurements should be used as an indicator of ventilation within a space rather than an absolute. Outdoor levels of CO2 are around 400ppm, and an indoor, consistent level of less than 800ppm suggests adequate ventilation. An average of 1500ppm or more in an occupied space suggests poor ventilation. Where you see consistent levels exceeding 1500ppm, you should consider taking action. Context is important. Where there is continuous talking, singing, or physical activity (i.e. gym), you should aim to keep CO2 levels below 800ppm.
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How much does it cost?We provide a turnkey Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Monitoring solution for schools and colleges where we handle the sensors, network, and dashboard – including setup, configuration, and management. There is an upfront cost for the Gateway and sensors and a monthly subscription for the platform and support or;
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What about our school office building?Our indoor air quality monitoring solution is perfect for your schools office buildings as well. This will provide the very best working conditions for your teachers and office staff as well.
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