Course outline

Lesson 4: Clarity Node-S Deployment for Collocation

Once you have confirmed the start date of your collocation with the agency, you can start planning for device sensor deployment. The Clarity Node-S Deployment Guide will help you determine how to properly install your monitors at the reference site. Please read through the Deployment Guide for a full walkthrough of installing your Clarity device(s).

By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand:

  • How and when to deploy your Clarity devices for collocation at the reference site.
  • What information you should share with your Clarity contact after collocating.

 

Guidance on Clarity Node-S Setup at Collocation Site

Recommendations

Cautions
  • Mount sensors within 5-10 meters (16- 32 feet) horizontal of the FRM/FEM monitor
  • Mount sensors in a location where they are exposed to unrestricted air flow
  • Ensure the air sampling inlet for the sensors are within a height of 1 meter (3 feet) vertically of the air sampling inlet of the FRM/FEM monitor
  • Check with the organization running the station about when the reference monitor was last calibrated and whether any calibrations were performed or operational issues encountered during the collocation period
  • Ensure at least 0.3 meters (1 foot) of space below the devices’ inlet for adequate airflow
  • Do not place devices near structures/objects that can affect air flow to the sensor OR block the devices air intake (e.g., against a wall, near a vent, or on the ground blocking the inlet). Ensure at least 0.3 meters (1 foot) of space below the devices’ inlets
  • Do not place devices near structures/objects that can alter temperature or relative humidity near the sensor (e.g., vents, exhausts)
  • Do not place devices near sources/sinks that can alter pollutant concentrations (e.g., idling cars, smoking)
  • Do not place devices in locations with risk of vibration, electrical shock, or other potential hazards


Once the devices are set up at the collocation site, send your Clarity Environmental Project Manager the following information:

  • The date and time the device(s) were installed.

  • The reference site name.

  • Photos of your Clarity device(s) at the reference site.

  • If the data are not available via AirNow, EEA, or OpenAQ, confirm can send a .csv file of the data including the following:

    • the time zone the data are reported in

    • the units the data are reported in (ppb vs ug/m3)

    • if the data are averaged, whether they are begin-time (e.g. the 3:00 measurement includes data from 3:00-3:59) or end-time (3:00 includes 2:01-3:00) averages

    • Any info about error codes or quality assurance flags included in the dataset

 

Other learning resources: EPA Air Sensor Collocation Instruction Guide