CO₂ the silent killer, made noisy by Sky-Walker

October 1, 2025

Enhance Safety, Protect Your People

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is often referred to as the silent killer for good reason. It is colourless, odorless, and undetectable without proper monitoring equipment. In Belgium alone, an average of 19 people lose their lives each year due to CO₂ exposure. This alarming statistic underscores just how dangerous this gas can be when left unchecked. During the past winter, several people were hospitalized because effective detection systems were not in place. Incidents like these highlight the urgent need for preventive measures and smart monitoring solutions that can save lives.

While CO₂ itself is an essential part of life and a natural byproduct of many processes, in high concentrations it becomes extremely harmful to human health. The invisible nature of this gas makes it especially dangerous, as people are often unaware of the danger until it is too late. That is why detection, prevention, and smart building management are key to ensuring safety.

A potted plant next to a white air quality monitor displaying readings with green text.

What Are the Most Common Causes of CO₂ Exposure?

1. Poorly functioning or poorly maintained heating appliances

Devices such as gas or oil heaters, boilers, and water heaters are often culprits when they are not properly maintained. Incomplete combustion can release large amounts of CO₂, which quickly accumulates in enclosed spaces.

2. Poor ventilation in enclosed spaces

When combustion occurs without adequate oxygen supply, the risk of CO₂ buildup increases. For example, running a gas heater in a poorly ventilated room or using a generator in a closed garage significantly raises the danger.

3. Cars or engines running in enclosed spaces

Leaving a car engine running inside a garage can create life-threatening concentrations of CO₂ within minutes. Similarly, using gasoline or diesel generators indoors, whether in a basement, workshop, or other confined space, poses a severe hazard.

How to Protect Against the Silent Killer

The first step in protecting against CO₂ exposure is awareness. Once people understand that this invisible gas can be lethal, they are better prepared to take preventive action. Installing monitoring systems and following safety practices can drastically reduce risks.

Here are five effective tips to ensure the safety of your building’s occupants:

Improve Ventilation

Good airflow prevents CO₂ buildup. Whether working on a car or using a heater in a closed room, always open a window or door to provide ventilation. Fresh air circulation is one of the simplest yet most effective measures.

Add Indoor Plants

Plants not only beautify an environment but also contribute to better air quality. Certain species naturally absorb CO₂ and release oxygen. The best three plants to consider for workplaces or homes are:

Aureum (Golden Pothos) Areca Palm Sansevieria (Snake Plant) Epipremnum

These plants support a healthier indoor climate and complement your ventilation efforts.

Monitor Air Quality Continuously

Installing CO₂ meters is essential. Because the gas is odorless and invisible, only technology can reliably detect it. By continuously monitoring air quality, you receive early warning signals when CO₂ levels rise to unsafe thresholds.

Use Air Purifiers with Carbon Filters

High-quality air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters can reduce harmful gases indoors. While they should not replace dedicated CO₂ sensors, they provide an additional safeguard to maintain healthier air.

Limit the Use of CO₂ Sources Indoors

Some devices should never be used in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. These include:

By being mindful of these sources, you can significantly lower the risk of dangerous CO₂ levels.

How Does Entelec Prevent CO₂ Exposure?

At Entelec, safety is at the heart of innovation. Our advanced Sky-Walker platform ensures that no alarm ever goes unnoticed. Many CO₂ sensors transmit data through protocols such as Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, MQTT, or REST API. Sky-Walker integrates seamlessly with these protocols, retrieving data directly without requiring extra hardware like a PLC.

In larger facilities, sensor data is often centralized in a Building Management System (BMS) or Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). From there, Sky-Walker collects and interprets the data via interfaces like OPC UA or BACnet/IP. This centralized approach ensures that all CO₂ levels are continuously monitored, analyzed, and displayed in real time.

The true strength of Sky-Walker lies in its unified management. Whether you oversee a single building or multiple locations, the platform provides a centralized control room view. Alarms are transmitted instantly, guaranteeing that no critical warning is missed, even if staff are briefly distracted.

Build the Future of Smart Building Management

Sky-Walker is more than just software it is a strategic tool designed to make your buildings safer, smarter, and more responsive. By unifying facility management into one platform, it allows you to focus on what truly matters, creating the safest and most productive environment for your people and your business.

With Sky-Walker, you never risk missing a CO₂ alarm. The system is connected, sending signals to the control room even if you glance away for a second. Multiple rooms and locations can be monitored centrally, ensuring comprehensive safety coverage.