Spark and AirSuite launch indoor air quality solution for offices

Leading telecommunications company Spark has allied with AirSuite, a startup specialising in environmental sustainability, to offer an indoor air quality (IAQ) solution for businesses. As more workers transition back to office environments, the solution is intended to promote health, efficiency, and sustainability in the workspace.

Utilising AirSuite's IAQ monitoring equipment, the solution uses the Spark LTE Cat-M1 network to measure factors such as air pressure, humidity, CO2, temperature, sound and lighting in the work environment. The data is then visualised on Spark's cloud-based IoT Bridge platform, supporting businesses in the ongoing monitoring and management of workspaces.

Waikato-based AirSuite comprises a team of environmental specialists and engineers dedicated to aiding organisations in creating healthier and more sustainable indoor environments. The innovative technology has been implemented in Spark's Wellington corporate office since March 2023.

Following six months of data collection from the IAQ solution at Spark's corporate office, AirSuite reported a consistent fulfilment of the requirements for a healthy and efficient environment. The system enables teams to understand their indoor environmental conditions, facilitating early intervention when necessary and instilling confidence in employees that their workspace is safe and healthy.

Karen Hayward, Facilities Management Lead at Spark Wellington, asserted the importance of maintaining healthy and comfortable workspaces. She said, "We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, so it is important we have smart, healthy, comfortable buildings to work from. With accurate data, this enables better decision-making on how we operate our building systems; making impactful enhancements to reduce energy use, cost, emissions and improve resilience."

Peter Pooran, CEO of AirSuite, stated, "Spark has been a key partner since our first cellular indoor air quality monitor was developed. As a result of this partnership, our monitors will be more readily available to organisations around New Zealand that are committed to using technology to drive better health and productivity outcomes for their most valuable asset - their people."

This innovative partnership follows Spark's recent membership to the Green Building Council, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at promoting healthy, sustainable built environments across New Zealand. Claire Pont, Spark Environment Manager, said, "At Spark we believe that technology has a key role to play in reducing emissions and creating sustainable, future-proofed solutions. By joining the Green Building Council we are making a commitment to continue our work to improve energy performance within our own business, but also by helping our business customers get their own green star rating."