Air quality and indoor rnvironment monitoring in public buildings in Taiwan
Year
2020
Location
TAIWAN
Sector(s)
Establishments and public venues
Issues
In several leading public and academic buildings in Taiwan, such as National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taipei University of Science and Technology, Lee Family House and Garden Museum, and the Lin Family Mansion and Garden in New Taipei City, ensuring air quality and maintaining a healthy indoor environment has become a major challenge. These locations must not only guarantee the safety and comfort of students, visitors, and staff but also comply with current environmental regulations. Facility managers face significant challenges. They need to continuously monitor air quality, noise levels, lighting, odors, and gas presence in highly frequented areas. They must also quickly detect any anomalies or disturbances caused by occupant behavior, such as smoking, excessive noise, or improper use of equipment. At the same time, effective and predictive maintenance of HVAC systems is required to prevent malfunctions and ensure optimal comfort. Managers also need to ensure environmental compliance while raising user awareness about indoor air quality. Finally, cleaning processes and space management must be optimized to minimize health risks and maintain a safe and pleasant environment for everyone. These challenges make it essential to adopt a reliable and continuous solution to monitor and manage indoor environments, while improving occupant well-being and performance.
SOLUTION
To address the challenges of environmental monitoring in universities and museums in Taiwan, ELLONA deployed its POD2 sensor networks in the most frequented and strategic areas of the buildings: classrooms, cafeterias, storage areas, pavilions, and museum entrances.
The POD2 sensors allow real-time monitoring of several key indoor environmental parameters:
- Air quality: CO₂, fine particles (PM), volatile organic compounds
- Viral quality: detection of biological agents in the air
- Gases and odors: identification of pollutants and sources of discomfort
- Noise and light: control of acoustic and lighting conditions for occupant comfort
Through the EllonaSoft online platform, managers can:
- Continuously view environmental data
- Receive instant alerts in case of anomalies or threshold breaches
- Analyze trends to implement predictive maintenance, especially for HVAC systems
- Optimize cleaning processes and space management based on actual occupancy
This solution also provides a preventive and educational dimension: by controlling air quality and the environment, it helps improve comfort and concentration for students, while ensuring a safe setting for museum visitors.
According to Shane Hsieh (SCIENTECH, ELLONA partner in Taiwan):
“Users are very satisfied with the simplicity of use and the online alerts, which make data reading easier. They feel safer in a controlled environment.”
KEY RESULTS
The deployment of ELLONA POD2 sensor networks in Taiwanese universities and museums has delivered concrete and measurable benefits:
Better understanding of the indoor environment
- Managers can monitor in real time air quality, noise levels, lighting, and the presence of gases or pollutants.
- The collected data helps identify problem areas and make informed decisions to improve comfort and safety.
Predictive maintenance and equipment optimization
- Continuous monitoring of HVAC systems and other critical installations.
- Early detection of anomalies allows intervention before issues become critical, reducing maintenance costs and service interruptions.
Enhanced safety and comfort for occupants
- Users (students, teachers, visitors) feel safer thanks to a controlled and healthy environment.
- Prevention of risky or disruptive behaviors (cigarette smoke, excessive noise, poor ventilation).
Improvement of educational and cognitive quality
- Monitoring CO₂ and fine particles (PM) to reduce drowsiness and improve student concentration.
- Reduction of respiratory risks and allergies through air monitoring and filtration.
Optimization of cleaning operations and space management
- Occupancy and air quality data allow for more efficient and targeted cleaning and maintenance planning.
- Reduction of waste and improvement of operational sustainability.
Support for regulatory compliance and institutional image
- Institutions can demonstrate their commitment to environmental quality and health safety.
- Enhancement of the institution’s image with students, visitors, and local authorities.
These results confirm that the ELLONA POD2 solution provides proactive monitoring, enhances occupant well-being and performance, and optimizes the management of public and academic buildings.
