FOI Request - CO2 Monitors and HEPA Filters
Request 101003246836
On behalf of Zero Covid Scotland, I will be grateful for the following information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002:
1) All data gathered from CO2 monitors installed in your local authority's schools since 2020, including frequency of data collection, form of reporting and details of where the data has been sent.
2) All data related to requests to use air filters (HEPA units) donated by parents or carers or school staff in school classroom and the decisions made, including any reasons provided for refusing such requests.
Response 13-03-2023
1. Please find attached all data collection gathered from CO2 monitors across Moray schools.
• CO2 levels and monitoring were completed for 3 schools (2 x primary 1x secondary) as part of a natural ventilation study completed in December 2020 - this information was actioned internally to develop guidance on ensuring good ventilation in classrooms and teaching spaces during COVID (Technical report attached).
• Moray Council procured 130 mobile CO2 monitors in Jul/Aug 21 to support limited data capture in classrooms and teaching/play spaces across all secondary, primary and nurseys schools. The results were reported to Scottish Government, through Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) on a monthly basis from Aug 21 to Nov 21. During this period, a small number of ventilation issues were identified in schools. Data was collected for at least 1 day for each classroom or teaching space (gym, music or drama room) and collated for internal use (CO2 monitoring 08.10.21. zip). This data informed response to Scottish Government in Nov 2021 (CO2 Feedback Questions 05-11/21)
• Additional CO2 monitors were purchased and issued to schools for permanent fixture in classrooms and teaching spaces during Aug21-Jan22 timeframe. All schools were to formally report instances where the CO2 levels exceed the comfort threshold of 1500ppm (classrooms) or 800ppm (teaching spaces) on every 4 weeks between 31st Jan 2022 and 17 Jun 2022 to determine schools with high CO2 readings that could not be mitigated by opening windows or doors or use of mechanical ventilation (where installed) this was submitted to Scottish Government through Scottish Futures Trust - the information is attached (CO2 Weekly Reports given to requester directly due to size of files)
• A small number of new schools have real time continuous CO2 monitoring as a component of the building management system - this alarms for high levels of CO2. This is real-time continuous monitoring and data files
• Further CO2 monitors were procured in 2022 to ensure a monitor in ALL classrooms and teaching spaces. There are used by teachers and supervisory staff as an alarm of a build up or CO2 (visual RGB and audio tone) beyond set thresholds. Persistent levels of CO2 above the thresholds, not mitigated through the opening of windows and doors, is reported to Council Property Helpdesk for further investigation and potential additional intervention
2.
• No school in Moray has requested to use an air filter (HEPA). A
• An email survey of the 52 operational schools in Moray (which has so far has elicited 47 returns) indicates that only one school is using a HEPA filter. This was a direct procurement by the school.