FAQ
 
WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE SERVICE PACKAGES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SENSING?
We offer 3 service packages for residential community: iSCAN, iASSESS, iMONITOR.

In collaboration with i-Neighbour, we offer 3 types of service packages for residential community:
iENVIRON - Intelligent Environmental Sensing:
which includes topographic survey, exterior building and structure inspection, and land subsidence detection. Topography Survey - Accurate and geo-tagged topographic drawings of your premises and surroundings with features represented by contours, texts and symbols. Exterior Building and Structure Inspection - High resolution photos of roof tiles, building walls, and other readily accessible areas by drone. Structural defects (if any) will be highlighted with measurements. Land Subsidence Detection - 3D profile of road surface with accurate detection of land subsidence and other defects of the surroundings.
which includes slopes and hillsides monitoring, risk assessment, and detection of potential threats and instabilities. Slope Assessment - Initial site investigation and topographic survey of the slopes. Borehole logging (if applicable) and soil samples collection for slope stability analysis. Slope Monitoring and Early Warning - Real-time monitoring of slope stability and ground movement. Early warning system setup and risk assessment reporting.
which includes monitoring of air quality (PM2.5, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide), and weather conditions (rainfall, humidity, and temperature). Air Quality Monitoring - Real-time monitoring of PM2.5, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, which are the main air pollutants in urban areas. Weather Monitoring - Real-time monitoring of current weather of residential areas, and 5-day forecast with 3-hour interval.
FAQ - About Environmental Sensing
1. WHAT I SHOULD DO IF THE AMOUNT OF PM2.5 IS AT UNHEALTHY LEVEL?
When the amount of PM2.5 is at unhealthy level (i.e. more than 35 μg/m3), take the following steps to reduce exposure and protect you and your family's health:
1. Stay indoor and if possible, close all windows and openings to stop polluted air from entering.
2. If available, turn on an air purifier that is equipped with a HEPA filter. High Efficiency Particulate Air, or HEPA air filters are usually made of fiberglass. They are 99.97% effective at removing particles as small as 0.3 microns.
3. If available, turn on an air conditioner to circulate air and cool down room temperature.
4. When most or all windows are closed, do not burn candle, incense or operate devices that emit smoke or gas to prevent harmful particles and gas (such as carbon monoxide) from building up.
5. If you must drive, get an air purifier for your car that comes with at least HEPA and activated carbon filters.
6. If you must go outdoor, make it short and quick, and wear a N95 or higher face mask. (“N95” means it can filter at least 95% of particles that do not contain oil)
7. If the air pollution is expected to last for many days, consider moving to an unaffected location.



2. WHAT IS PM2.5 AND WHY WE SHOULD CARE?
PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 0.03 the diameter of a human hair. Fine particulars can come from various sources, such as power plants, motor vehicles, residential wood/leaves burning, forest fire, volcanic eruptions, agricultural burning, and dust storms. Particulars in this category are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope. Since they are so small and light, fine particles tend to stay longer in the air than heavier particles. This increases the chances of humans inhaling them into the bodies. Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers are able to bypass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs and some may even enter the circulatory system. Studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart and lung disease. Fine particles are also known to trigger or worsen chronic disease such as asthma, heart attack, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. On a very clear and non-hazy day, the PM2.5 concentration can be as low as 5 μg/m3 or below. The 24-hour concentration of PM2.5 is considered unhealthy when it rises above 35 μg/m3.


3. IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL SENSING A REQUIREMENT BY-LAWS, OR JUST CAUTIONARY MEASURES BY COMMUNITY?
We carry out the Environmental Sensing and the Building Quality Assessment in accordance to the Malaysian Uniform Building By-Laws UBBL, Quality Assessment System for Building Construction Works CIS 7:2014, and other regulatory requirements of the relevant authorities. The above-mentioned quality assessment is not a mandatory requirement by-Laws. Instead, it is a voluntary and cautionary measures that allow us to quickly analyze the quality of our residential environment and make prompt actions based on the most up-to-date information.


4. WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL SENSING AND WHY DO I NEED TO DO IT?
Environmental Sensing is about understanding the quality of our residential environment. This is of great importance to ensure our family and children are well protected. A good quality of the residential environment will make it more attractive and healthier to live, work and invest in. On the other hand, the degradation of the environment, through air pollution, poor structural conditions, climate change, etc., may have negative impacts on human health and well-being.

To understand the quality of our environment, the first step is to quantify the impact by monitoring and measuring it with the environmental sensing tools. For example, to know the quality of the air, we measure the fine Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5). If more than 35 µg/m3 of PM2.5 is detected within a day, the air quality is deemed to be unhealthy for sensitive groups and we should avoid having outdoor activities for our family. Another example is to monitor the road conditions and slope stability of a hillside area. We measure the temporal change of the road or the slope over a period of time (say, 3-6 months). Through our proprietary technology, we can detect subtle ground movement in the order of mm resolution. This comprehensive data will allow us to quickly analyze the quality of our residential environment and make prompt actions for short-term and long-term countermeasures (if necessary).


5. WHO ARE WE AND WHAT WE DO?
iRadar Sdn Bhd was incorporated in 2011 by a group of passionate research scientists. The primary focus of the company is to offer state-of-the-art products and services in sensing and its related technologies.
In collaboration with i-Neighbour, we offer smart sensing solutions to monitor and measure the quality of your residential environment. More specifically, we provide you a convenience way to access environmental indicators such as air quality, weather data, building structural health, slope and road conditions, which are relevant to residential communities. The comprehensive data allows you to quickly analyze the quality of your residential environment and make prompt actions based on the most up-to-date information.


FAQ - About Flying Drones
1. WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR NOT APPLYING AUTHORISATION (IF REQUIRED) BEFORE FLYING A DRONE?
In Malaysia,
1. Where the person is an individual, a fine not exceeding RM 50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both
2. Where the person is a body corporate, a fine not exceeding RM 100,000



2. WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF DRONES?
In general, there are 3 categories of drones / Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS):
1. Small drone for fun, having total take off weight of not more than 20
2. Small Small drone for commercial use (e,g, to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition), having total weight of not more than 20 kg
3. Drone having total weight more than 20 kg



3. CAN I FLY A SMALL DRONE FOR SURVEILLANCE PURPOSES?
A small unmanned aircraft which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition is classified as small unmanned surveillance aircraft. Authorization from DCA is required to fly a small unmanned surveillance aircraft in any of the following circumstances:
a. Over any designated area (means any area which is used for residential, commercial, industrial or recreational purposes)
b. Within 150 metres of any designated area
c. Over any assembly in the open air of more than 1,000 persons
d. Within 150 metres of any assembly in the open air of more than 1,000 persons
e. Within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft
f. Within 50 metres of any person
g. Within 30 metres of any person during take-off or landing



4. WHO IS DCA?
DCA, or Department of Civil Aviation, is the lead agency for all flights and airspace operations in Malaysia. The DCA is established in 1969 as an agency under the Ministry of Transport (MOT) Malaysia to provide safe, efficient and orderly flow of air transportation, and to regulate aviation activities in Malaysia.


5. CAN ANYONE FLY A DRONE?
Generally speaking, the answer is NO. An authorisation or permit is required from the respective regulatory bodies before flying a drone. However, most of the countries allow you to fly a small drone if you can comply certain rules. (Please refer to your local laws)
In Malaysia, for example, you can fly a small drone without authorisation, if...
1. Your drone is less than 20 kg and the flight is at the height of not more than 400 feet above the surface of the earth,
2. You are satisfied that your flight can safely be made, and
3. You can maintain direct and unaided visual contact with your drone sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircrafts, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions.



6. WHAT IS DRONE?
Drone, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is an aircraft without a human pilot on board. Drone is a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which include a UAV, a ground-based controller, and a communication system between the two.