Smart Co2 Detector Prototype Development to Enhance the Efficiency of Ventilation System in a Building

Abstract

Background: : This study developed a smart CO₂ detector, which attach to the general ventilation system to reduce the gas level.

Methods: Indoor air quality measurement was performed in five selected rooms between January 2015 to February 2015 using TSI Q-Trak^TM Indoor Air Monitor 7575. The perceived indoor air quality conditions was gathered using questionnaires adopted from the Industrial Code of Practice (ICOP) of Indoor Air Quality 2010 by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). The AutoCad 2010 and Soldworks 2011 software were used to design and develop the CO₂ detector.

Results: The highest concentration of CO₂ was determined in the occupied tutorial room (1435 ± 62.6 ppm) followed by lecture hall 3 (1337.67± 14.6 ppm) and lecture hall 4 (1109 ± 4.0 ppm). The highest temperature was recorded in occupied tutorial room (29 ± 0.3 ºC) while the highest relative humidity was recorded in occupied lecture hall 4 (76 ± 3.1 %). All of these values exceed the ICOP standard level. Varying room temperature was the most common problem reported (n = 34, 22.7%) followed by unpleasant odors (n = 22, 14.7%) and drafty (n = 21, 14%). The CO₂ sensor attached to the general ventilation system triggers the ventilation system to regulate the air into the building more efficiently when CO² exceeds 800 ppm. The detector may stop the system when the pollutants level is back to normal.

Conclusion: The CO₂ detector system helps to regulate the air movement and reduce the CO₂ level.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide, General exhaust ventilation (GEV), Sick building syndrome (SBS), Indoor air quality