Indoor Air Quality Monitoring

Indoor air quality monitoring is the process of measuring and analysing the levels of pollutants and other harmful substances present in the air inside buildings. Poor indoor air quality can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the building occupants, leading to respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues.

Indoor air quality monitoring typically involves the use of sensors and other equipment to measure the levels of various pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other harmful gases. The data collected is then analysed to identify potential sources of pollution and to develop strategies for improving indoor air quality.

Monitoring indoor air quality is particularly important in buildings where there are known sources of pollutants, such as factories, laboratories, and hospitals. It is also important in residential buildings, where people spend the majority of their time and are often exposed to indoor air pollutants from a variety of sources, such as cleaning products, cooking fumes, and tobacco smoke.

A CO₂ meter is a device that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the air. CO₂ meters are used as part of indoor air quality monitoring assessments to monitor the quality of the air in a building.

CO₂ is a naturally occurring gas that is present in the atmosphere and is also produced by human activity. When people breathe, they exhale CO₂, and when fuel is burned, CO₂ is released into the air. High levels of CO₂ in indoor air can be an indicator of poor ventilation, which can lead to a build-up of other pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter.

CO₂ meters can be available as a fixed device for continuous monitoring such as the ERS CO₂ Sensor or a portable device for on-the-spot measurements. The meters display the CO₂ concentration in parts per million (ppm) and can alert occupants or building managers if the concentration exceeds a certain threshold.

Cabon dioixde meters are helpful in monitoring indoor air quality because they provide a real-time measurement of CO₂ levels in the air, which can indicate how well ventilated a space is. Proper ventilation is important for maintaining a healthy indoor environment, as it helps to reduce the concentration of indoor air pollutants and replenish the supply of fresh air. By monitoring CO₂ levels, building managers can identify areas where ventilation may be insufficient and take steps to improve indoor air quality.

Conducted by trained and qualified professionals such as an occupational hygienist or indoor air quality specialist, an indoor air quality assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of the air quality inside a building, which is conducted to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution and to determine the overall level of indoor air quality. The assessment typically involves a combination of visual inspections, air sampling, and data analysis to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing ventilation systems. An indoor air quality assessment may include the following steps:

1. Visual inspection 
2. Air sampling 
3. Data analysis
4. Recommendations 
5. Follow-up assessments

Yes, there are several standards and regulations that govern indoor air quality in Australia. Some of the key ones include:

• National Construction Code (NCC) - The NCC sets out the minimum requirements for building design and construction in Australia, including provisions for ventilation, air quality, and moisture control
• Australian Standards - There are several Australian Standards that apply to indoor air quality, including AS/NZS 1668.2:2012, which sets out the requirements for ventilation and air conditioning in buildings, and AS/NZS 2985:2009, which provides guidance on the management of indoor air quality in workplaces. 
• Work Health and Safety Regulations - The Work Health and Safety Regulations require employers to provide a safe working environment, which includes ensuring that indoor air quality is maintained at a safe and healthy level. 
• Building Code of Australia (BCA) - The BCA includes provisions for indoor air quality and ventilation in buildings and requires that buildings are designed and constructed to maintain adequate indoor air quality.

An anemometer is a device used for measuring wind speed and direction. It is a type of instrument commonly used in meteorology, aviation, and sailing, as well as in industrial settings such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. The basic principle behind an anemometer is to measure the movement of air. There are several types of anemometers each of which uses a different method to measure air movement.

Types of Anemometers include:

• Cup anemometers: one of the most commonly used types of anemometers, they consist of three or four cups that are mounted on a rotating shaft. As the cups spin, they turn the shaft, which is connected to a mechanism that measures the rotation speed. The rotation speed is then converted into a wind speed reading.
• Vane anemometers: use a similar principle, but instead of cups, they have a flat, horizontal vane that is mounted on a vertical shaft. As the wind blows, the vane turns, and the shaft rotates. The rotation speed is then measured and converted into a wind speed reading.
• Hot-wire anemometers: these use a very fine wire that is heated by an electric current. As air flows over the wire, it cools the wire, causing a change in the electrical resistance. By measuring the change in resistance, anemometers such as the TSI Hot Wire Anemometer can determine the speed of the air flow. 

Vane and Hot Wire Anemometers are available from Air-Met Scientific in Australia for sale and rental.