Milesight 47,000 IAQ Sensors Create a Healthier Learning Environment in Canadian Schools
Success Story
- Milesight Partner: Assek Technologie
- Location: Quebec, Canada
- Related Products:
AM107 Indoor Air Quality Sensor
UG65 Semi-industrial Gateway - Number of devices deployed: 47,000 units
- Number of gateways deployed: 2,600 units
- Number of messages handled/period: 7,331,376/day (156/day/device)
- ROI data: There was no monitoring at all before. This IAQ project made the environment data under monitoring and control.
The Situation
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of continuously monitoring indoor air quality, especially in schools. The Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec has announced in September 2021 the deployment and installation of air quality and comfort parameters sensors in more than 47,000 classrooms across the province.
“Quebec is the only province to equip its classes with CO2 sensors.”
— Bryan St-Louis
Spokesperson for the Quebec province’s Education Ministry
“This is a major undertaking. We are talking about 90,000 detectors in 4,000 locations. We wanted to do this quickly, but also to do it well. In 90 percent of cases, ventilation is adequate.”
— Marc Sirois
Deputy Education Minister
Measuring indoor CO2 concentrations, relative humidity and temperature is part of a strategy developed to ensure that the best possible learning and working environment is provided at all times for students and school staff. With accurate indoor air data, well ventilated classrooms are achievable.
The Needs
Reduce maintenance and installation difficulties
Monitor CO2, humidity and temperature level at 5 minutes intervals during school hours
Create an information system without the use of Wi-Fi or Cellular Internet
The Solution
*The AM107 indoor air quality sensor can also monitor TVOC, Lighting and Barometric Pressure.
LoRaWAN® Technology
Considering all requirements, LoRaWAN® IAQ solution was a perfect candidate.
LoRaWAN® devices met all requirements:
Long Battery Life
Fast Transmission
Visualized Data
Ease of Deployment
High Reliability of Messages
Multiple Environment Data Monitoring
Milesight & Assek
Milesight’s hardware R&D capabilities and software expertise from our valuable partner, Assek, led to a very complete and unique solution specially made for schools in Quebec, Canada.
Helpful Web Application
Assek Technologie developed a modern web application where all the users can interact with the data. Live and historical data, tendencies analysis, threshold alerts and reporting are all features part of the solution.
Data Reported Every 5 Minutes
Measurements are made every 5 minutes during the day and at the hours in the evening and at night.
The Result
Encouraging Results from 2 Pilots
2 pilots were implemented before the client started the project. In each pilot, Milesight’s AM107 were installed very quickly in approximately 30 classrooms, and Assek’s software presented great tools to easily monitor the air quality in classrooms.
47,000 IAQ Sensors Deployed at Ease
The success of the 2 pilots proved LoRaWAN® was the right technology and the client believed it was possible to adopt this solution in thousands of schools across Quebec very easily and quickly. In result, approximately 47,000 classrooms were equipped with this LoRaWAN IAQ monitoring
Decision-Making Based on Holistic Insights
The solution is meant to help the authorities to obtain an overview of the IAQ situation of all schools. This information, unknown prior to this project, can now be used to ensure the healthiness of the learning and working environment. It allows the client to prioritize and implement corrective actions, and all users to be notified when and where fresh air is needed. The solution could soon be integrated with HVAC systems to automatically ensure good IAQ.
Rapid Response from Real-Time Monitoring
For school staff
Real-time readings of three comfort parameters (CO2 concentration, temperature and the level of relative humidity) allow them to make changes more gradually and quickly in the affected rooms by, for example, adjusting the inflow of outdoor air or completely air out a classroom during a break.
Educational institutions
Can use the analysis results to take timely action when the set targets are not reached.
School service centers and school boards
Can use the analysis results to identify trends and target buildings that require broader intervention plans and/or larger scale corrective work.
Promising Social Progress
A Healthy Learning Environment for Students & Staff
Students and staff can study and work in a healthy environment where they can concentrate and improve their efficiency.
Change in School Culture
The increased awareness of the indoor environment has led to new responsiveness to air quality challenges and a new commitment of resources to address nationwide IAQ issues.
An example of Innovation for Schools & Authorities
This IAQ project serves as a textbook case for schools & authorities across the nation.
The Benefits
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10 Years
Solution supported for at least 10 years.
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Comprehensive Data
Uses a wireless communication protocol to acquire all the data from the sensors.
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5 Mins Report Intervals & 4 Years’ Service Life
Allows data transmission every 5 minutes with a battery life of over 4 years.
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Easy Installation
Can easily be shipped anywhere and requires only 5 minutes per room for the installation.
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Modern System
Includes an information system capable of displaying, analyzing, and processing the data in real time.
“Real-time readings make it possible to intervene directly in the premises, by adjusting the supply of outside air for example, or by taking advantage of a break or a time deemed appropriate to completely ventilate a room.
Staff from The CSS des Portages-de-l’Outaouais (CSSPO)
Reported by leDriout