Monitoring devices able to detect high levels of carbon dioxide have been introduced to the local market to help detect poor air quality that can lead to sick building syndrome.
Distributed and supported by local technology provider, Euca Technologies, on behalf of one of the world’s leading logging and monitoring systems specialist companies, Onset Computer Corporation, the handheld devices allows building operators to easily monitor CO² and other substances to ensure the health of occupants, especially in healthcare facilities, classrooms, offices, factories and places that are susceptible to the build-up of gases.
It may also be useful to monitor air quality of a building where occupants constantly suffer from ailments, are constantly tired or where lower-than- usual productivity is observed in a workplace.
“We also find the problem is exasperated at times of the year when windows and doors are shut for comfort reasons, which may inadvertently also contribute to the sick building syndrome,” says Ernest Campling, managing director of Euca Technologies, the agents for Onset monitoring devices in South Africa.
He explains that the monitoring devices are small, unobtrusive and highly accurate. They allow easy access to air quality information from a handheld device or laptop via plug-in or the cloud. It gives building owners and landlords insights to support better decisions regarding ventilation control and HVAC upgrades—projects that can lead to significant energy savings and improved overall indoor-air quality.
“Comprehensive, location-specific CO² data in building environments also helps to focus HVAC improvements on the most effective and cost-efficient solutions. Increased CO² inside is a big deal; after all, we spend almost 90% of our lives indoors. So, when it comes to monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) for CO², data loggers can be a great safety measure.
Fortunately, our battery-powered CO² data loggers easily measure indoor concentrations. These compact hand-held devices can be used anywhere throughout a building where data is needed. Measurements typically range from 0–5,000 ppm.
“Our data loggers provide a cost-effective method to assess indoor air quality, helping to eliminate sick-building syndrome and harmful pollutants typical of tight and poorly ventilated structures and Euca Technologies provides a wide range of devices that can measure and monitor indoor air quality,” concludes Ernest.
Increased CO² Inside – Why Should You Care?
- Tight-building standards increase risk of sick-building syndrome and poor occupant health
- Offices, schools, healthcare facilities, gyms, and homes frequently exceed healthy CO² levels
- Buildings where metabolic rates are high—gyms, fitness centres, and aerobic-workout
rooms—frequently exceed acceptable standards (breathe in O², breathe out CO²) - Indoor CO² concentrations over 1,000 ppm lead to cognitive impairment and dysfunction
- Global CO² exposure limits vary by country; some countries have much more stringent
restrictions.
