CO₂ monitors funded by the Department for Education
About Rexel
Rexel has been chosen by Crown Commercial Services and The Department for Education to supply CO2 monitors for use in your classrooms. These monitors are intended to help you identify areas that are poorly ventilated, so you can explore what steps you can take to improve ventilation.
What is a CO2 monitor?
You can use CO2 monitors to help you assess how well ventilated your spaces are, and to help you balance good ventilation with thermal comfort. They are best suited to spaces which are densely occupied for an hour or more, such as classrooms, staff rooms or large offices.
These units alert room users via a simple traffic light indicator system that CO2 that action is needed to improve ventilation, either through introducing fresh air or using existing mechanical ventilation systems.
Helping to reduce the risk of airborne transmission of viruses in the classroom.
KEY FEATURES
- Precision detector for CO2
- Monitors also provide readings of ambient temp and humidity
- Easy to read ‘traffic light’ alerts
- Touch button control
- Powered via mains 13A plug, USB lead or battery*
*check product info for your model
EASY TO READ TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM
The indicators on the monitor will change when CO2 levels are increasing. The CO2 monitor will always be above 400ppm as Carbon Dioxide is in the air we breathe.
- A consistent value under 800ppm will show as green and does not require any action and implies that a space is particularly well ventilated.
- A consistent value of over 800ppm will show as amber/orange and should be seen as an early indicator to increase ventilation.
- A consistent value of 1500ppm CO2 concentration in an occupied space is an indicator of poor ventilation. This will also be indicated by a red light on the CO2 monitor.
You should take action to improve ventilation where CO2 readings are consistently higher than 1500ppm. There is no need to stop using the room.
Look out for consistently high values, as snapshot readings are unlikely to be reliable: we recommend waiting for 5 minutes before taking action to allow for a reading to settle.
For further information, please review the DfE's guidance on: Using CO2 monitors and air cleaning units in education and care settings - GOV UK (www.gov.uk).
Product Information
S&S Northern
CO2 Monitor – SA1300P
Siterwell
GS241T-H02 – Fixed UK plug & separate USB lead
Siterwell
GS241T- H02 – UK Plug with detachable USB lead
CEM
Air Quality CO2 Monitor DT-326
CEM
DT-182D Desktop Indoor Air Quality CO2 Monitor
Pepnice
AQS02 – Plug with detachable USB lead
FAQs
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas in the air we breathe; it is a by-product of people breathing in and out. (CO2) is harmless at normal levels. If there is poor ventilation, levels of (CO2) will build up. We can therefore use (CO2) concentration as an indication of when ventilation is needed in a space.
A CO2 monitor is a device which detects the level of CO2 the room. Most monitors will also measure the temperature and humidity of the room.
Using a CO2 monitor will help you to identify areas that are poorly ventilated, so that you can take action to improve it. Keeping your room well-ventilated will reduce disease transmission, such as COVID-19 and influenza, increase pupil alertness and concentration, and provide better indoor air quality. (CO2) monitors can also provide information to help balance the need for good ventilation with keeping classrooms warm and conserving energy.
- at head height when seated
- away from ventilation outlets, such as grilles or windows
- at least 0.5 m away from occupants (closer than this could give inaccurate readings).
- The screen gives you an indication of the level of CO2 the room.
- Pay particular attention to the traffic light LEDs on the left-hand side of the monitor.
- Green (a consistent value below 800ppm) does not require any action
- Amber/Orange (consistent values between 800-1500 ppm) should be seen as an early indicator to take action to improve ventilation.
- Red (values above 1500ppm) indicates poor ventilation. You should take action to improve ventilation.
Look out for consistently high values, as snapshot readings are unlikely to be reliable: we recommend waiting for 5 minutes before taking action, to allow for a reading to settle.