RENZ unveils CO2 traffic light AIRCOLOR

During the summer months, open windows were not a problem in pleasant temperatures, but now, with the onset of winter, complaints are increasing in offices, meeting rooms, waiting rooms and above all school classrooms.

To counter this, the company Chr. Renz GmbH from Heubach, Germany has been developing over the last three months a CO2 traffic light that they call AIR2COLOR. The AIR2COLOR repeatedly measures CO2 concentration (exhaled in our breath) and with a 360° circulating light band, which is well visible from all sides, gives a recommendation whether and when a room should be ventilated. Using the traffic light colours Green (All Fine), Yellow (Ventilation Recommended) and Red (Ventilation Required) the system is easy to understand for everyone. As soon as the 'air is clean again', the windows can be closed. Thanks to the traffic light system it is easy for everyone to see and understand when to ventilate. No-one needs to be cold permanently and energy costs are not increased.

Nicolas Herd, Development Manager at Chr. Renz GmbH said, "the unique feature of the AIR2COLOR - CO2 traffic light, is the built-in, extremely powerful NDIR CO2 sensor, which determines the exact CO2 values and displays them through the coloured light band. These values are based on the DIN standard 1946-6 and the Pettenkofer curve. The NDIR sensor is at the heart of the AIR2COLOR. It measures precisely with a 2-fold optical filter which is long proven in safety engineering and fire protection environments. It is also very durable and, depending on location and frequency of use, a lifetime of up to 15 years can be expected."

Chr. Renz GmbH, located in the South of Germany, normally specialises in binding, systems for the office products and printing industries. However, right at the beginning of the pandemic, Renz diversified and built up an efficient production capability for EN certified face shields, urgently required especially in hospitals, nursing homes, medical practices and throughout the general population.

Raphael Barth, Managing Director of Chr. Renz GmbH said, "we are pleased that we have succeeded in making the best out of the crisis, in order to be able to provide support to stem the spread of the Covid-19 virus." 

Iain Bullock, Managing Director of Renz (UK) added, "since the beginning of the crisis our product range has expanded to include various types of masks, disinfectant dispensers, hygiene door openers and multi hygiene hooks. We are pleased to introduce the new AIR2COLOR to the UK. This newly developed CO2 traffic light, with its easy to understand colour indicator, provides the signal to regularly ventilate indoor areas thus helping to improve air quality and aerosol pollution."

According to the German Federal Environmental Agency, an increased CO2 concentration indicates that the building has not been ventilated for long enough and therefore the risk of infection may also be increased. However, regular ventilation not only cleans the air but also helps to improve the performance of students, event participants or office staff. A single AIR2COLOR can be used in rooms up to a maximum of 80 sqm.