System for Air Quality

Why is the  indoor air quality so important for human health?

Indoor air quality gets new importance today as many offices, gyms, shops, schools, restaurants and other enclosed spaces open their doors in the current situation with Covid pandemic. Ventilation of work places has an important role in the ensuring the safety and health of the employees.

In the past, the indoor air monitoring was usually limited to measuring of temperature and humidity. Now, during a pandemic, measuring and monitoring of parameters like CO2, VOC and PM 2.5 is very important too. Proper ventilation in living spaces significantly reduces the risk of infections, including coronavirus. And when is the best time for ventilation? Carbon dioxide level can be a key indicator about this.

According to regulations a reasonable temperature and minimum air quality parameters must be maintained in the work premises, and in the event of a deterioration of the microclimate an early warning in a form of a visible or audible alarm is required.

Smart sensors are highly effective means for dealing with these problems because they help to create a safe, comfortable and healthy environment for workers.

Smart sensors collect data in real time and send it wirelessly to a local web station. Using a browser in your phone, tablet or computer you get an information about  ​​the air quality in your building. In addition, you can adapt your heating, cooling and ventilation systems, creating a comfortable working environment. There is an additional bonus here - you will consume only the energy quantity you need and so you will be more energy efficient and will reduce the operating costs.

 

How the intelligent sensors can monitor the indoor air quality

CO2 (carbon dioxide). Using sensors to monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) levels you can get an alert for any increase and ensure that you provide the right amount of ventilation. This is a key aspect of maintaining the security in your office, reducing the risk of Covid infection. There are more and more evidences that carbon dioxide levels are directly linked to the extent of the spread of an infection in the air. So using sensors to collect real-time accurate information can help to keep the safety in your building and can automate the management. For example, if CO2 levels are found to be rising, the sensors can trigger a room ventilation system.

It has also been proven that carbon dioxide high levels have a negative effect on the brain functions. This can cause headache, reduce the ability to process an information and make decisions - so it can also affect productivity.

T (temperature). Intelligent sensors measure individual room temperature, and the data allows you to automate the “climate” devices so that the temperature to be kept constant and comfortable. If it is too hot, the people get lazy. If too cold - they can't focus on the task at hand.

RH (relative humidity). The use of sensors for measuring the relative humidity of the air makes it possible to automate the control of humidifiers and dehumidifiers and to ensure that the air humidity is in optimal limits. High amount of water vapour in the air can be one of the main causes for discomfort in the office, may cause headaches, sharpen conditions such as asthma. The effects on the building itself can also be dangerous. Mold, mites and bacteria love humid environment and they can also cause respiratory problems to residents.

Too low level of humidity is also undesirable. If the air is too dry, it can lead to itchy skin, dry eyes and sore throat.

PM2.5 (particle matters up to 2.5 µm). Particle matters are responsible for the intensification of allergies, asthma attacks, respiratory disorders, lung cancer, and an increased risk of otitis in children. In addition, particle matters are thought to have an effect on heart and circulatory diseases (e.g. heart attack). The degree of impact of the particles on the respiratory tract also depends on their size: the smaller the particles, the deeper they penetrate in the human lungs. Such particles can be much more harmful than ordinary cigarette smoke or ordinary carbon dioxide and other hothouse gases.

The fine dust with size of less than 10 µm reaches the lower parts of the respiratory system, leading to damage of the tissues in the lungs, as the filtration by the nasal cavity is not sufficient for particles smaller than 10 microns. In this way, ultra-fine particles smaller than 0.1 µm reach the lung alveoluses and are removed from there very slowly or not at all.

What does the indoor air quality monitoring system consist of?

The basic set of the system consists of:

• CO2 sensors;
• local WEB station;
• WEB application.

CO2 sensor. Measures the CO2concentration in ppm units. Periodically sends data to a local station via Wi-Fi wireless communication. Through LED indicators it alerts for increased levels of CO2 concentration. It is powered by a network adapter.

 

Local WEB station. Collects data from all sensors, controls all actuators. It contains a WEB application for remote monitoring and manual control, and a software for automatic control. The station is connected to the local area network (LAN) and is powered by a network adapter.

 

WEB application. This application provides HMI (human-machine interface) for monitoring of the sensors. An Information about the sensor data is displayed on a panel, and graphic trends for the last week, month and year as well.

The data is archived and can be exported to files in various formats, incl. xls.

Upon reaching an alarm level of a measured parameter, selected users of the system can be notified by means of 13 different ways, including SMS or e-mail.

 

The extended set  of the system also includes:

- wireless multifunction sensors

- wireless actuators

Multifunction sensors measure several parameters, for example:

- temperature and humidity;

- air temperature and humidity, CO2 (carbon dioxide), PM 2.5 (particles matters size 2.5 microns), AQI (air quality index);

 

- air temperature and humidity, CO2 (carbon dioxide), PM 2.5 (particles matters size 2.5 microns), VOC (volatile organic compounds), HCHO (formaldehyde).

Wireless actuators are smart relays, smart sockets and IR controllers. They control the devices for ventilation, heating, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers.

Depending on the user's desire, the system can be delivered in a configuration for air quality monitoring only or for monitoring and managing of the air quality in a room / rooms. It can be extended and upgraded over the time.