Paper 440
Indoor Air Quality Monitoring in a Historic School in South Tyrol, Italy
Authors: FAvella (1), GAkshit (1), A Belleri (1), F Babich (1), C Peretti (2), G Fulici (2) and L Verdi (2)
- Institute for Renewable Energy, Eurac Research, Via A. Volta 13/A, Bolzano 39100,Italy
- Laboratory for air monitoring and radioprotection, Agency for Environment and Climate Protection -Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Via A. Alagi 5, Bolzano 39100, Italy
Abstract:
Children spend a large part of their growing years in schools, so it is essential to monitor and maximize the indoor air quality (IAQ) of the classrooms. In South Tyrol (northern Italy) many schools are characterised as historic and heritage buildings and improving IAQ poses a great challenge because of the need to maintain the integrity of the architectural characteristics of the structure. The aim of this paper is to provide insights into the effectiveness of a commercial low-cost smart CO2-based visual alerting system used to improve IAQ in an urban kindergarten located in a historic building. Air temperature, relative humidity, along with indoor and outdoor air pollutants,were monitored in a classroom of 22 occupants before and after installation of the passive system. Based on high indoor CO2concentration and other parameters, the device alerts when to open the windows to facilitate air exchange.This research focuses on the measurements during the first few weeks after installation of the smart device. It did not show a considerable decrease in the CO2levels, but an improvement is desirable as the occupants become more familiar with the device. This will allow heritage buildings to guarantee a healthier environment in a simple and low-cost way.
Keywords: indoor air quality (IAQ); Natural ventilation; Historic buildings; Carbon dioxide (CO2); Monitoring strategies.