K-12 Career Exploration Campus - Indoor Air Quality Improvement Through Smart Building Solutions

Overview

The school district aims to enhance student experiences by integrating real-world, experiential learning with traditional education. The goal was to create a campus environment where students could engage with cutting-edge technologies and tools as part of their educational journey.

To maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) and meet global health and wellness standards, the district adopted the RESET Air Standard across several campuses, incorporating real-time IAQ monitoring technologies with building operating practices.

As an Authorized RESET Data Provider, Switch Automation supported this initiative by providing advanced building analytics, continuous monitoring, and compliance tracking to ensure adherence to the RESET Air Standard v2.9.

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Why RESET for K-12 Schools?

RESET (Regenerative Ecological, Social, and Economic Targets) Air Certification is a global standard focusing on indoor air quality (IAQ) performance. For K-12 schools, RESET Air Certification offers several key benefits and value propositions:

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Intent of RESET Air Certification for K-12 Schools

The primary intent of RESET Air Certification for K-12 schools is to ensure a healthy and safe learning environment by continuously monitoring and improving indoor air quality. This is especially important in educational settings, where young students are more vulnerable to pollutants and poor air quality, which can affect cognitive function, physical health, and overall well-being.

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‍Key Aspects of RESET Air Certification for Schools

• Continuous Monitoring: RESET requires real-time monitoring of indoor air quality through sensor technology, ensuring that administrators have up-to-date data on air quality, allowing for timely interventions.
• Data Transparency: One of RESET's core principles is transparency in air quality data, which can be shared with school staff, parents, and students, promoting trust in maintaining healthy learning environments.
• Performance-Based Certification: RESET focuses on actual performance outcomes, requiring schools to meet specific air quality metrics consistently to maintain certification.
• Scalable and Adaptable: RESET certification is designed to be adaptable to different environments and scalable across various school buildings, making it a flexible solution for new and existing schools.

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Value Proposition for K-12 Schools

• Healthier Learning Environment: Improved air quality enhances student concentration, cognitive function, and reduces absenteeism caused by respiratory issues, allergies, and other illnesses.
• Increased Parental and Community Trust: RESET certification provides a clear framework for schools to show their commitment to student well-being, enhancing the school's reputation.
• Improved Energy Efficiency: RESET promotes better building performance, identifying when ventilation systems are overworking or underperforming, helping to reduce energy costs.
• Alignment with Sustainability Goals: The same equipment and data used to achieve and retain RESET certification can be deployed to meet broader environmental and wellness objectives.
• Long-Term Operational Savings: Investing in good indoor air quality management leads to reduced maintenance costs and fewer emergency repairs or renovations over time.

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The Solution

Switch Product:

Switch Automation’s Smart Building Platform integrated seamlessly with the district’s deployed sensor network, utilizing Kaiterra IAQ sensors to monitor key indoor air quality metrics. The Platform provides comprehensive analysis and real-time alerts to ensure compliance with RESET standards and provide operational insights to the building’s operators.

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Action Taken:

• Implemented Switch Automation’s platform to monitor and analyze IAQ data, covering CO2 levels, TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds), and PM2.5 (Particulate Matter) concentrations.
• Enabled continuous tracking and real-time compliance reporting, helping the district meet RESET standards for optimal air quality.

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Why Switch Automation Was the Right Fit:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Switch Automation’s platform provided immediate insights into air quality, allowing staff to take proactive measures.
• Compliance Management: The platform’s ability to continuously assess compliance with RESET standards was key to securing the RESET accreditation.
• Scalability: Switch Automation’s platform can scale across other campuses within the district as part of the ongoing IAQ initiative.
• Future Readiness: Switch offers automated control of building HVAC systems, which enables automated operational changes from data insights reducing or removing the need for human intervention in improving and maintaining IAQ performance.

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The Results

In April 2024, the campus achieved RESET Accreditation after three months of compliance monitoring. Data captured by the Switch Platform revealed significant improvements in air quality across several metrics, contributing to a safer, healthier and more comfortable learning environment for students and staff.

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Results were measured by the Kaiterra IAQ sensors, following compliance with the RESET Air Standard v2.9:

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Key Benefits

• Improved Indoor Air Quality: Consistent compliance with RESET standards ensured a healthier environment for students and staff.
• Energy Efficiency: Monitoring IAQ enabled the district to optimize HVAC operations, reducing energy consumption while maintaining safety and comfort.
• Real-Time Alerts: Real-time data helped staff prevent prolonged exposure to unhealthy air conditions.
• Scalability for Future Projects: The platform’s success at this campus positioned it as a model for future deployments across the district.

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Local Engagement & Vendors

• Vendors: Kaiterra IAQ sensors (RESET Accredited)
• Local Support: Confidential vendor

This anonymized case study demonstrates how the school district successfully leveraged the Switch Automation Platform to achieve RESET Accreditation, improve student comfort, and enhance sustainability across their K-12 campuses.

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