Community-Based Air Quality Monitoring Framework

5. Planning for Installation and Operation

Air monitoring networks require a plan for installing and operating air monitoring equipment to achieve project goals. These resources detail the site-specific logistical requirements (including power, cellular or wi-fi, and security) a project team will need to make sure they have covered at each site location.

Purpose: Create a plan for installing the equipment and for operating the equipment over the lifespan of a project.

Resources:

• Deploying Your Sensors - Training: Overview of training recommendations and different installation scenarios. (SCAQMD, guidance section, pages 82-83)
• Sensor Siting & Installation Guide: Good brief checklist for installation and siting (SCAQMD, factsheet/checklist, 1 page)
• Data Collection Activities: Details important oversight tasks, such as frequent data review, periodic collocation, and maintenance to plan for before installation. (EPA, guidance section, pages 93-94)
• How to Maintain Your Air Sensor: Provides a checklist of routine technical maintenance tasks for maintaining your air sensor (EPA, checklist, 1 page)
• Deploying Your Sensors - Maintaining Your Sensor: Discusses establishing maintenance and troubleshooting activities (SCAQMD, guidance section, page 84)

Common challenges that these resources help address: Air quality at any given location typically depends on a range of factors, including the weather, the time of day, and the season. A successful air monitoring project must account for the time and resources needed to conduct measurements that are adequate to achieve all of the intended objectives over the entire lifespan of the project.