Smart Schooling - more information and fewer emissions
Kappa Airic® is the name of the air measurement system that permanently measures and monitors air quality, making it easier to manage. “Even before the coronavirus pandemic, we developed a system that monitors the air in rooms in line with our core business of exhaust air and ventilation technology. Over the past two years, we have now refined this application even further and managed to establish a measuring system that goes beyond pure CO2 measurement,” explains Karl Rieger, Technical Director of Kappa Filter Systems in Steyr. “Air hygiene has now become a key issue, not least in schools. We are delighted that we have now gained a partner from the school sector for our further research with PMS Rudigier. This enables us to incorporate the requirements of the education sector into our development work. Kappa and PMS Rudigier are thus gaining valuable insights into the aerosol, particulate matter and CO2 situation and development in schools. In addition, it is possible to react immediately during lessons.”
Two of these compact measuring cubes, which record the most important air quality parameters in real time and make them visible to the teaching staff via an app, are now being positioned in the 3a class at PMS Rudigier as a trial. “As a physics teacher, I find it particularly exciting to be able to talk to the children about common terms such as carbon dioxide, aerosols, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds up close and make them understandable,” says Heinz Sattmann. The device continuously measures the values with regard to aerosols, respirable, respirable and inhalable particulate matter, CO2 values and volatile organic compounds and transmits the collected data in encrypted form to a database, which compares it with recommended reference values in real time and transmits it to the end device, i.e. the smartphone.
“Of course, you instinctively feel when you should ventilate. With this measuring system, however, we can act in a very targeted manner and gain an overall view of the day,” adds Günter Berger, principal of the school. “Especially in the cold season, when enthusiasm for frequently opening the windows is limited, we can now argue with verifiable data,” he adds with a laugh. “What is certain is that fresh, clean air with a low concentration of CO2 and the other air pollutants mentioned increases performance and cognitive abilities. If we can make a contribution to this, we will be very pleased,” says the Airic®-developer Karl Rieger.
