Airthings Launches Virus Risk Indicator for Businesses

Airthings recently unveiled a brand-new capability for its business solution: the Airthings Virus Risk Indicator. Designed to create an indoor environment where people thrive, but viruses don’t, Airthings’ Virus Risk Indicator is now available to all new and existing Airthings for Business customers. The new feature helps people understand their indoor air quality and how it contributes to spreading airborne viruses, providing personalized insights that will allow them to minimize the risk.

How the Virus Risk Indicator Works

The Virus Risk Indicator uses data from Airthings core sensors that track CO2, humidity, and temperature into a custom-developed algorithm that calculates the risk of airborne virus spread in an indoor space. The Virus Risk Indicator evaluates four factors that have direct relationships with indoor airborne virus spread and then assigns a ranked risk level ranging from one to 10. These factors include the following:

• Virus survival rate: How long virus microdroplets can survive in the air.
• Room occupancy: Densely populated rooms increase the chance that people breathe each other's breath.
• Ventilation rate: How much and how often fresh air is coming in a space.
• The body’s natural defenses: The effectiveness of our bodies to defend against airborne viruses is affected by temperature and humidity.

Once integrated, Airthings for Business customers can access their Virus Risk Indicator data via the Airthings Dashboard, an online platform that provides access to real-time and historical sensor data.

To learn more about this solution and its impact on the hospitality industry, HT spoke with Airthings CEO Oyvind Birkenes.

How could hotels use this technology? 

The Virus Risk Indicator, which is a free capability in the Airthings for Business solution available via the Wave Plus, can provide hotel staff and facility managers with vital information about their air quality, and if it may be conducive to virus spread amongst guests or staff. The Virus Risk Indicator can quantify factors such as room occupancy and ventilation rate in a space, and combine them with air quality readings for CO2, humidity, and other components to determine how likely viruses are to spread in a given area - such as a dining hall, conference room or a casino floor. Getting started is easy (battery-run monitors, so no electricians or cabling required). The cost is also very reasonable, and scales with the size of the property or portfolio or buildings – so it’s truly customizable.

Is this technology meant to improve guest morale? Staff morale? Both?

The Airthings Virus Risk Indicator can improve the morale of both guests and staff, because it provides a valuable asset for everyone: peace of mind. When hotel staff knows that the quality of the air they're breathing in and the preservation of their health is a priority for their employer, they can feel empowered to execute their jobs without hesitation or concern. Staff and guests can also feel more energized and productive as the Airthings for Business solution looks at many air quality parameters which also affect sleep, concentration, wellbeing and productivity. Likewise, guests will feel safe and secure knowing that their hotel is going the extra mile to incorporate technology that is squarely focused on guest wellness, especially in the era of COVID-19. This can lead to longer stays and increased use of amenities, and can also be a marketable incentive for the hotel.

How is this technology implemented within a building and what hardware is required?

Because the Virus Risk Indicator is a digital capability, all that is required to access it is the installation of an Airthings for Business solution, including the Wave Plus for Business monitor. The Wave Plus for Business easily mounts to any wall without any drilling or installation equipment required, and the devices are battery-operated, so they do not require a power source. The solution can be installed within a matter of minutes, and once integrated, Airthings for Business customers can access their Virus Risk Indicator data via the Airthings Dashboard, an online platform that provides real-time and historical sensor data. The system can also easily be connected via API to any existing systems.

Is it expensive to implement?

Not at all. The baseline price for our Airthings for Business solution is less than $2,000 USD, but the systems will pay for themselves in short order purely based off of a reduction in staff sick days and an increase in productivity. Data shows that companies with Airthings for Business solutions see a 58% reduction in sick leave for employees, and staff sees on average a 101% improvement in decision-making abilities - bringing a new meaning to "working smarter."