Airborne contaminant detection and localization in ducting systems

An airborne contaminant detection and localization system comprising:

• a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a duct configured to convey air therethrough;
• a first vent configured to fluidly connect the duct to a first indoor space of one or more indoor spaces;
• a second vent configured to fluidly connect the duct to a second indoor space of the one or more indoor spaces, wherein the second indoor space is different from the first indoor space and wherein the second vent is located downstream from the first vent in a flow direction along the duct;
• and
• a monitoring system comprising:
• a first sensor element arranged proximate the first vent, the first sensor element configured to detect one or more airborne contaminants;
• a second sensor element arranged proximate the second vent, the second sensor element configured to detect the one or more airborne contaminants;
• and
• a central unit configured to receive sensor data from the first sensor element and the second sensor element, wherein the central unit includes information regarding a location of each of the first sensor element and the second sensor element within the duct, the central unit configured to:
• determine a presence of an airborne contaminant in the duct from the sensor data;
• determine an intensity of the airborne contaminant at each of the first sensor element and the second sensor element;
• establish a detection zone that includes a portion of the duct having a highest detected intensity of the airborne contaminant, wherein the detection zone comprises a portion of the duct upstream from the respective sensor having the highest detected intensity of the airborne contaminant;
• generate an alert comprising the detection of the airborne contaminant and the detection zone;
• and
• transmit said alert to a service technician indicating the presence of the airborne contaminant and a location of the detection zone.