Hours within/outside threshold:
Project Summary:
Studying indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is crucial for enhancing
well-being and productivity. However, sensing IEQ involves
simultaneously examining multiple quality metrics. Indoor spaces can be
influenced by factors such as temperature, sound, light, carbon dioxide,
and volatile substances. The Net-Zero Futures Lab (NZFL) at SUTD has
developed and deployed a sensor kit capable of sensing six IEQ metrics
and storing the data on a Firebase server. The sensor kit measures
formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, temperature, relative humidity, volatile
substances, and light levels in a space.
The dashboard visualizes all six IEQ metrics, plotting minutes elapsed
in a day on the x-axis and sensor values on the y-axis. Each metric is
colored differently to distinguish them, mainly due to different y-axis
values. A filter section at the top of the page allows users to navigate
to their desired day or days. Charts update dynamically based on the
selected date range. By default, the filter is applied from the first of
January 2024 to the present day, showing all observations. However, the
data used for this dashboard is limited, ranging from the 8th of March
to the 11th of April.
The turquoise box in the background of each chart approximates an
appropriate indoor quality threshold. Points outside this zone can be
considered as indicating poor environmental conditions. Points within
the threshold are made smaller to draw attention to those outside the
threshold. Furthermore, the 'Hours within/outside threshold' section
provides a summary of the hours of good and bad IEQ. Filtering allows
users to determine how many hours the space experienced poor
environmental conditions across each metric.
The dashboard enables the visual evaluation of space IEQ for various
timeframes. For example, users can infer from monthly data which months
had good lighting conditions. Using the annual graph, users can enhance
fresh air content in the space to minimize volatile substances and
carbon dioxide. Multiple similar devices in different office spaces can
suggest improvements in user behavior patterns, leading to the creation
of comfortable and energy-efficient spaces.
The dashboard utilizes Chart.js for chart creation, Flatpickr for date
selection, and D3.js for annotations. Future work could include a
feedback layer on screen, informing users to perform tasks such as
please pull your blinds down, turn on your lights, and please stay out
until formaldehyde levels return to normal.