We expect our young people to spend a large portion of their time in schools. Around 90% of classrooms in the UK rely on ventilation through manually opened windows and doors – so it is really important that the occupants of schools, both staff and pupils, understand ventilation. More information about ventilation in schools is available from the SAMHE project initiative.

HOW CAN SCHOOLS KNOW WHEN THEIR VENTILATION IS ENOUGH?

Managing the ventilation supply is always a balance - too much and energy can be wasted, too little and staff & pupils' health and learning might suffer - to help this balance, school authorities for each of the four UK nations have made efforts to deliver carbon dioxide monitors to classrooms. Watch this video to find out more about managing classroom ventilation.

WHAT IS CARBON DIOXIDE?

Carbon dioxide, or CO₂, is a naturally occurring gas that we all exhale when we breathe out.

HOW CAN MONITORING CO₂ IN CLASSROOMS HELP?

In most classrooms, CO₂ can be a good indicator of the relative ventilation level (or the per-person ventilation supply), so monitoring CO₂ and keeping levels below guidance thresholds can help ensure that the ventilation is adequate. More information on CO₂ monitoring and ventilation is available from the SAMHE project and the Government's Department for Education provides this useful guidance.

HOW CAN THESE CO₂ MONITORS HELP SCHOOLS MANAGE THEIR HEATING BILLS?

The monitors supplied all measure the temperature and relative humidity in addition to CO₂ concentration. By keeping an eye on both the current CO₂ levels and current temperature in the classroom, and observing pupils' comfort, ventilation can be balanced so that it is adequate without costing the earth or creating cold learning environments.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER BENEFITS TO KEEPING CO₂ LEVELS LOW?

Here's information about how lower levels of CO₂ have been linked, not only, to health but also cognitive function and alertness. You can also watch this video to find out more.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

Here are four videos, a guidance table, a poster, and an editable presentation to act as a base for leaders to train classroom staff:

We have also created a simple table (which contains: the relevant CO₂ levels, their descriptions, some recommended actions, and potential outcomes), an A4 poster which can be edited, printed, and laminated to sit alongside the monitors in classrooms, and if you are looking to motivate and train classroom staff in using their CO₂ monitors then there is also this presentation template to get you started.

Other great videos explaining the role CO₂ monitoring in the management of ventilation is schools include this one made by the Department for Education and starring our very own Professor Cath Noakes! We were also asked to create versions of our videos with captions translated into Italian, find them here.

TEACHER RESOURCES

How does the air move in the room around you? In this video, we show one way to see these airflows at home and discuss what causes them. It turns out these airflows play an important role in indoor air quality. Watch to learn more!

How can maths help us to understand ventilation and air quality? In these videos, we walk through how we can create a model for CO₂ levels in rooms. These same ideas can be extended to model other things like pollutant levels. As you will see, we can learn a lot from these models! These videos can serve as an introduction to, or application of, differential equations or mathematical modelling. Suitable for A-level, or university students, or professionals in need of a refresher!

VENTILATION IN SCHOOLS, AND CO₂ MONITORS

WHAT IS VENTILATION?

WHY IS VENTILATION IMPORTANT?

DOES VENTILATION MATTER FOR SCHOOLS?