Installing Desk Occupancy sensors

This guide gives instructions on how to install Desk Occupancy sensors so that they can report readings to the cloud. 

  A PDF copy of the abbreviated installation manual in download format is available here.

Quick access

  1. What you need
  2. Planning the installation
  3. Activation
  4. Mounting options
  5. Configuration
  6. Settling Period
  7. Check the signal strength

What you need

The number of sensors in a box can vary, ranging from as few as 1 to as many as 100, depending on the number of sensors ordered. As a standard practice, boxes containing either 25 or 100 sensors will feature a QR code, simplifying the process of claiming multiple sensors at once. In cases where these quantities are not met, the package will lack a QR code and each sensor will need to be claimed individually.

Besides the Desk Occupancy sensor itself, it is advisable to have the following on hand:

  • a laptop or a smartphone running the DT Studio web application studio.d21s.com. If your company does not have a DT Studio organization, get started at d21s.com/start
  • we also recommend having one or more online Cloud Connectors (gateways) close by to enable forwarding sensor data to the DT Cloud and to check the connectivity of the sensor once it is installed. Please refer to our guide for detailed instructions on how to properly install our Cloud Connectors.
  • optional: Range Extender accessory

Planning the installation

For larger installations, please plan before starting. Only one sensor per desk is required.

People sitting very close to the sensor can attenuate the radio signal. We recommend installing the sensor with a range extender or calculating an extra margin of safety on the wireless range.

The number of Cloud Connectors needed to cover a typical office space depends on the size of the space as well as the material the walls in the space are made up of. For example, concrete will reduce the coverage area more than thin drywall. 

Activation

Claim the sensors in Studio by scanning the QR code found on the sensor packaging. If only a few sensors are needed, they can also be claimed individually in Studio. The sensor is now available in Studio and you can give it a name, a description, a label, etc.

To ensure that the coverage is sufficient, we recommend placing all the sensors on top of the desks before they are permanently installed. The connectivity status for all sensors can then be viewed in Studio to check if any of the sensors are in High Power Boost Mode or not reporting data.

Mounting options

The sensor should be installed under the desk, approximately 2 to 4 cm from the edge of the desk, at the center where a person is usually sitting. Clean the installation surface, peel the protective film from the back of the sensor, stick the sensor to the table, and press it firmly for a few seconds to ensure good adhesion.  

Factors that impact measurement accuracy:

  • HVAC - unusual heating and cooling patterns
  • Offline periods - the sensor uses historical data to estimate the likelihood of people sitting at the desk

Mounting on metal?

Installing the sensor on a metal desk will severely impact the wireless range of the sensor. Using the Range Extender accessory with PN: 101707 can increase the performance when used on metal desks.

Configuration

The Desk Occupancy sensor uses Heartbeat Interval (HBI) to transmit a message notifying the system that it is present and operational. The default configuration is set to 5 minutes and cannot be customized.

In Studio, users can also utilize Detection Mode, a project-level setting, to customize desk occupancy detection. The option can be found at the bottom of the sensor details page for Desk Occupancy sensors.

There are two options:

  • Balanced Mode (Default): This is a default sensor setting. It is our fastest detection, balancing speed, and precision for immediate data needs. 
  • High Accuracy Mode: This setting prioritizes accuracy for analysis and long-term trends, with an approximately 30-minute delay for enhanced precision.

Settling Period

After the installation, the sensor needs a working day of data from the environment before it accurately determines the occupancy status of the desk.

Check the signal strength

Tap the sensor to see its live response in Studio. The signal strength should show two bars (no signal icon) or more for a robust installation.

No response in Studio or boost mode?

If the sensor does not report upon touch (no signal icon) or is transmitting using boost mode (boost icon), we recommend installing an additional Cloud Connector or using sensor accessories with range extenders to improve coverage. If the sensor continues to be offline, look at troubleshooting.

Sensor not in Studio?

Check that the correct project is selected. If the sensor is still lacking, ask your administrator for access to the project that contains the sensors.

Experiencing an installation issue?

If you have any additional questions or if any problem should occur during installation, please reach out to us.