[Academic] CO2 Monitor Guidance

[physics-director-teaching]

Dear All,
Firstly, the University has changed its guidance and now all non-exempt students must wear face coverings in class.
Further, as you may know, the Department has purchased CO2 monitors to monitor ventilation whilst teaching. Below is some guidance on using them. We will provide information later on monitor pick up and drop off on your teaching day.
Best
John
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Professor John Jeffers
Director of Teaching
Department of Physics
University of Strathclyde
physics-director-teaching at strath.ac.uk<mailto:physics-director-teaching at strath.ac.uk>
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Staff should read the advice on this Health and Safety Executive page.  https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation/identifying-poorly-ventilated-areas.htm
Important quotes from the above source
"CO2 measurements should be used as a broad guide to ventilation within a space rather than treating them as ’safe thresholds’."
"Outdoor levels are around 400ppm and indoors a consistent CO2 value less than 800ppm is likely to indicate that a space is well ventilated.
An average of 1500ppm CO2 concentration over the occupied period in a space is an indicator of poor ventilation. You should take action to improve ventilation where CO2 readings are consistently higher than 1500ppm.
However, where there is continuous talking or singing, or high levels of physical activity (such as dancing, playing sport or exercising), providing ventilation sufficient to keep CO2 levels below 800ppm is recommended.”

In tutorials or laboratories the tutor may sometimes be talking for an extended period. Therefore we suggest that

  *   Students should be advised to remain in a well-ventilated area until near the class start time and should leave the teaching room quickly after the class ends, even if they have another class in the same room.
  *   No further action needs to be taken whilst the CO2 level in the teaching room is below 800ppm.
  *   If the CO2 level is consistently above 800ppm a range of mitigating measures could be taken, as appropriate to the circumstances.
Examples include: Opening more doors or windows, asking a fraction of the students to leave and go to another room (if such a free room exists nearby and if it is possible to continue teaching the split class in this fashion), fractions of the students taking short breaks during the class, limiting the amount of continuous talking done by the class tutor and students.

  *   If the CO2 level is above 1000ppm for an extended period more significant action could be taken, which may include asking all students to leave the class early or for a limited period whilst the air quality improves.

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