Since the mid of January, every classroom at Lycée Belval has such a CO2 detector. Once the device identifies a carbon dioxide concentration of 1,200 ppm, an alarm indicates that the windows should be opened. The room should then be ventilated until the CO2 level drops below 600 ppm again.
Some pupils believe it is a useful device and a good reminder to get some fresh air. Others complain about the repeated alarm sounds that go off during class. When the detectors were first installed, they were still on factory settings, which meant that they sounded an alarm about every 15 minutes when a level of 1,000 ppm was reached.
At Lycée Hubert Clement in Esch-sur-Alzette, the CO2 detection limit has even been set to 1,500 ppm. Michel Klosen, who teaches physics, notes that the respective literature actually indicates that to be the appropriate level.
It follows that apart from operating instructions for the devices, schools did not receive clear recommendations on how to employ them. Astrid Schuller, director of Lycée Belval, notes that they conducted their own research to determine the most appropriate use for the detectors. They also consulted with other high schools in that regard.
Jean Theis, director of Lycée Hubert Clement, states that the practice of regularly ventilating classrooms was already implemented back in November last year. The detectors and their signals only act as acoustic reminders, but in general, not much has changed, he believes.
The Ministry of Education states that at this stage, 90% of Luxembourgish high schools have been equipped with CO2 detectors. Primary schools will soon follow, officials further announced.
