CO2 Monitoring as an Indicator of Ventilation Performance in a Teaching Office Environment

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial for occupant health and mitigation of infection risk. This study examines the monitoring of CO2 as an indicator of ventilation performance in a teaching office environment over a two-month winter period. Analysis of CO2, temperature, humidity, and particulate matter reveals that CO2 levels frequently exceed 700 ppm during peak occupancy, signaling inadequate ventilation and increased air-borne infection risk. The existing air conditioning system, which recirculates air without fresh air intake, exacerbates these issues. The findings highlight the need for mixed ventilation strategies that combine mechanical and natural airflow to improve IAQ. Real-time CO2 monitoring proves valuable in detecting ventilation deficiencies and guiding dynamic interventions. Future work will focus on validating proposed improvements through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to optimise ventilation performance and occupant safety.