Indoor Air Quality Management in Early Learning Centres
Early Learning Centres are often susceptible to illnesses and viral outbreaks. Since the spread of COVID-19, it has been hard to differentiate between the common cold and flu or symptoms of the COVID-19 infection. As most Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs serve children in an age group that is ineligible for vaccination, it is imperative for childcare centres to have COVID-19 prevention strategies in place to protect children and employees in ECE programs.
COVID-19 is an airborne contaminant that is usually transmitted by talking, breathing, or coughing. In confined spaces the risk of COVID-19 transmission increases due to insufficient air circulation and build-up of gases (primarily carbon dioxide).OzSage (an organisation formed by a muti-disciplinary network of Australian experts which formulate independent advice on public health) observes “The risk of COVID-19 infection is higher in indoor spaces, and it’s even higher when those indoor spaces are poorly ventilated.”Adequate ventilation is the best way to ensure good indoor air quality by diluting the airborne contaminants.
The ERS CO2 Sensor is an Indoor Air Quality Monitor that can measure indoor air quality parameters such as CO2, indoor temperature, light, motion and humidity.
The ERS CO2 Sensor for Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
Designed for real-time monitoring of indoor air quality, the discreet ERS CO2 Sensor is ideal to help ensure a healthy indoor environment for schools, childcare, universities, offices, gymnasiums and more.
A plug and play solution, the ERS CO2 Sensor is maintenance-free and does not require any expensive installation works to be completed before use.
- LoraWan Certified - The wireless ERS CO2 sensor is battery operated and can be used anywhere where monitoring of the indoor environment and air quality is essential. Being a LoRaWAN CO2 sensor, it is self-contained and transmits at low data rates of large distances to a local gateway enabling installation anywhere in the building.
- Maintenance Free - The CO2 sensor has an internal automatic calibration routine. This routine calibrates the sensor to set 400 ppm to the lowest value that has been read in the last period of approximately 8 days.
- Traffic Light Feature - A traffic light feature will let you know where a certain threshold of CO2 levels or any value has been reached. The threshold value is configurable, and you can choose the colour, light intensity and frequency.
- Wireless functionality – ERS CO2 is completely wireless and powered by two 3.6VAA lithium batteries
- Long-Lasting Battery - The device has a battery life of up to 10 years.
FAQs on CO2 Sensors and Detectors in Childcare Setting
Monitoring indoor air quality in childcare centres improves illness-related absenteeism in children and educators as well as provides parents with confidence that their children are in a safe and healthy environment. Additionally, improving indoor air quality:
- Minimises the additional cost and time required to hire substitutes to replace educators due to absence
- Alleviates stress on children when their regular educator is absent due to illness or in the current COVID-19 environment, due to isolation requirements
- Lends itself to better learning outcomes due to children being less drowsy and tired, improved concentration and retention levels
Young children such as infants and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to poor indoor air quality due to their immature immune systems, contaminants and pathogens in the air can negatively affect their health. With children and educators in constant close proximity to each other for long durations, sharing toys and play equipment, common illnesses and viral outbreaks are common occurrences in ELCs, childcare and kindergartens.
Respiratory illnesses such as the flu or COVID-19 are also more transmissible in confined spaces via airborne particles. And due to the inability to implement other COVID-19 safety measures in the childcare setting such as social distancing and the wearing of masks in young children, indoor air quality management plays a significant role in the support of a healthy indoor environment.
In poorly ventilated spaces, there can be a build-up of CO2 over time. In every breath we take, approximately 4-5% of the expelled gasses is carbon dioxide. CO2 is a colourless and odourless gas that is also a natural component of air.
CO2 concentration is a key marker of indoor air quality in any enclosed structures such as schools, offices and childcares. Adequate ventilation (natural or mechanical) will help dilute the air and reduce the concentration of CO2 and is denoted with low values of CO2 concentration. Poor indoor air quality is denoted by CO2 concentrations greater than 1000ppm.
Yes, we can assist you to combine the LiveSense database on CO2 concentration with your website so you can provide parents with visual real-time information on indoor air quality in rooms where the ERS CO2 Monitor is placed.
Leaving a child in day-care during COVID-19 can cause anxiety in parents. You can provide peace of mind to parents by reassuring them their child's environment is being closely monitored. You can also create another point of difference for your business on how you strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for children to learn and play.
Please fill out an enquiry form to get in touch with a sales representative.
CO2 can be measured in childcare settings by using a CO2 monitor in areas that are usually occupied and areas of concern. By measuring CO2 concentration levels using a carbon dioxide sensor, educators in the childcare setting can determine whether there is adequate ventilation and dilution of air in the room to reduce the possible transmission of airborne illnesses such as COVID-19 between occupants of the room.
The Elsys ERS CO2 Sensor monitors the CO2 level and provides real-time visibility into each room’s indoor air quality with the LiveSense platform so that users can make informed decisions.
The Elsys ERS CO2 monitor is designed to be wall-mounted and comes enclosed in a minimalistic and discreet sensor box.
The back panel of the device needs to be screwed into the wall and the sensor is attached to the back panel. The device should not be placed near an air vent, louver or other places exposed to fresh air as this might provide false readings.
For more information please see the best practice guide.
Why Choose Air-Met Scientific
Air-Met Scientific is proudly Australian owned and operated. We have been delivering reliable measurement and monitoring solutions to OHS and environmental professionals since 1984. With six offices nationwide, we are the Australian market leader in the supply, service, rental and engineering of safety and environmental monitoring solutions.
Our success is due to our core commitment to providing the highest level of customer service and support and our dedicated local support teams ensure our customers can work with confidence knowing they are equipped with the right instrumentation.