CO2 monitors and sensors

Since the publication of Building regulations Part F volume 2, and since the Covid pandemic there has been an increased focus on the importance of CO2 levels in occupied buildings.

CO2 concentration is an indicator of how well ventilated a building is and it is by using CO2 monitors and sensors that building users can see clearly if there air is reasonably fresh or if it has too much CO2.

Although CO2 is what is being measured it is in fact a 'tell tale' gas. If the CO2 concentration is at a safe level then you can reasonably assume that fresh air air is coming into the building in sufficient volume. From this there is a further assumption that the concentration of volatile organic compounds will be lower, that odours will be diluted and that airborne micro organisms including spores, bacteria and viruses will be at low concentrations.

CO2 monitors and sensors do not measure these other things but given that the concentration of them and CO2 is inevitably lower outside than inside it is reasonable to measure the CO2 and assume that what is good for lowering CO2 levels is also good for other aspects of air quality.