A carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere can be dangerous in a number of ways. The background CO2 level in an outdoor environment will typically be 400 ppm. Around 4.5 percent of CO2 will be exhaled by a typical person, which is 100 times the background amount. This indicates that a very high CO2 level might develop very fast in a classroom with 30 people if there is no forced ventilation and only natural ventilation through windows. Therefore, CO2 can be an excellent predictor of how efficiently a space is aired and, consequently, of the possibility that the Covid-19 virus will mix with the air. In order to lessen the effects of COVID-19, increasing air ventilation with the aid of carbon dioxide monitors is an effective technique to keep an eye on regularly occupied spaces. Monitoring CO2 levels is essential for ensuring adherence to government notice BB101.
But how can I tell whether I require a stationary, desktop, or portable carbon dioxide monitor? Don’t worry; our post below goes into great detail on this to assist you in choosing the type of carbon dioxide monitor you need and our solutions.
With regard to airflow in many industries and educational settings, the US government is growing more cautious and vigilant. The US government recently discussed the use of portable carbon dioxide sensors in schools in a news release. With this expenditure, some 300,000 monitors will be installed in classrooms to improve air ventilation and, ideally, slow the spread of COVID-19 among students. The greatest possible, uninterrupted education will be provided, and children will have more freedom to travel to and from their schools and institutions as a result. This has the side effect of making well-ventilated spaces with BB101-compliant levels better places to learn. High CO2 levels cause “stuffiness,” migraines, and “bad building syndrome,” which reduces attention spans.
Other crowded, public spaces, such eateries and retail malls, can also use carbon dioxide monitors. Once more, keeping an eye on the CO2 levels in these areas may be able to assist stop the spread of COVID-19 since it can keep an eye on the region and sound an alarm when the air becomes overly saturated with CO2.
Carbon Dioxide Monitors in Classroom Environments: Fixed or Portable?
There are numerous proposals for employing fixed carbon dioxide monitors in busy places like classrooms right now. For various settings, BB101 specifies maximum goal levels in detail. The use of fixed CO2 detection may not be the best option for this particular application, despite the fact that employing carbon dioxide monitors can be highly helpful in decreasing COVID-19 spreading, as we have already proven. In order to improve detection and user ease in busy areas like schools, IGD and the US government advise using portable carbon dioxide monitors.
Fixed carbon dioxide monitors can only detect within a 5m radius; mounting detectors on walls reduces this range by half. Since CO2 detection becomes weaker the farther it moves from the stationary sensor, more CO2 saturation is required for an alarm to sound. This means that while it can be excellent for identifying gas leaks from a known source, it may not be able to detect CO2 effectively in a classroom where people are continuously moving and the area is greater than 5 meters. Because the user would be moving around the room constantly, a portable carbon dioxide monitor can give a more accurate assessment of the air quality.
In the majority of US schools and busy facilities like restaurants and retail malls, there is no on-demand ventilation system linked to a BMS system. This might render stationary carbon dioxide detectors useless because it takes a person to make a room’s air quality better. The color change indication on fixed carbon dioxide monitors may also go unnoticed because it is positioned in a fixed location and may be hidden. This might indicate that the air quality is not addressed when it should be, which could lead to an increase in COVID-19 distribution. Because they alert the user right away when the air is too CO2 saturated, portable carbon dioxide monitors are therefore perfect for classrooms and busy environments. This allows for quicker human intervention, such as opening a window or door.
Because of this, portable carbon dioxide monitors are better suited for air ventilation monitoring and may be the best choice for protecting against COVID-19.
The Best Carbon Dioxide Detector to Use
GZAIR has a century of business expertise and extensive knowledge of gas detection, making them a reliable choice when it comes to selecting the best portable carbon dioxide monitor. As a result, we are able to offer carbon dioxide monitors that are noticeably superior and give the best recommendations as to the type of detector required, its locations, and whether it should be portable or fixed.
Additionally, guidelines on how to utilize portable carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms to gauge the air quality were published by the US Health and Safety Executive.
Prior to taking CO2 readings, confirm the calibration of your monitor. Observe the manufacturer’s instructions, paying particular attention to the recommended warm-up period for the device to stabilize.
Learn how to properly operate your portable monitor, including how long it takes to display a reading.
To find a good sampling point that will provide a representative measurement for the room, take several measurements in occupied areas. More than one sampling station will probably be needed in larger areas.
The sameness of all CO2 monitors?
It’s also critical to realize that not all CO2 monitors function in the same way. Many inexpensive fixed CO2 detectors use software correction that is built in and makes assumptions about background levels. Rather than reporting on absolute levels, these detectors are frequently utilized in building management systems to trend levels. Their built-in “ABC” correction software corrects the reading to about 400 ppm by assuming that the lowest value during a set period of time (often 24 hours) is the background level normal. Therefore, whatever background level is present (and this could be anywhere up to 4500ppm or more) ends up being adjusted to 400ppm once students leave a room at the end of the day and “close up.”
Solution for a Portable Carbon Dioxide Monitor from GZAIR
For on-the-go CO2 measurement, GZAIR provides the iGAS carbon dioxide meter. This compact device provides alarming that is clear and simple and may be adjusted for the surroundings. This makes it perfect for a classroom because vibrating alarms may be turned on to swiftly alert the user without disturbing those who are learning. As a result, the area’s air flow may be easily corrected.
With a 15 hours operating time on a single charge, the GZAIR carbon dioxide monitor has the longest battery life available. This guarantees ongoing neighborhood surveillance and enables you to charge whenever it’s convenient for you, such as over the weekend for schools and instructors.
Leave A Comment