Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2021
130. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of the quality assurance testing and calibration carried out on the CO2 monitors delivered by her Department to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50051/21]
View answerManaging ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe.
Good ventilation was identified as an important aspect of public health advice on managing Covid-19 risks and this led to the establishment of an Expert Group by the Department of Health. A sub-group of the main Expert Group focussed exclusively on the issue of improving and monitoring ventilation in schools. This report formed the based for the most recent updating of the ventilation guidance for schools and included recommendations in relation to strengthening the message about the importance of good ventilation and the use of CO2 monitors.
A copy of the guidance is published on the Gov.ie website.
The use of CO2 monitors can provide a useful general indication that areas/rooms within a building may not be adequately ventilated and can enable occupants to become familiar with the impact that activities, outdoor weather and window openings have on levels of good ventilation within a room. This information can be used to inform strategies for improving ventilation. The portable units can facilitate measurements in a wide range of locations in schools.
The CO2 monitors delivered to schools are CE Marking approved, thus meeting EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. The sensors are factory calibrated, the electronic display module are tested individually following assembly to ensure all basic inputs and outputs are working and the final assembled units are individually tested as a complete unit, at which point the sensor readings are verified, as is the USB interface.
