Wi-Fi in Schools - safe or unsafe?

Following the publication of a number of newspaper articles suggesting that Wi-Fi in schools or wireless networks may pose a health risk to children, and also the recent Panorama program "WiFi : A Warning Signal" broadcast on 21^st May, staff at Ensign have received a number of calls from individuals and organisations concerned about Wi-Fi networks and safety.

Ensign Communications Ltd is a very experienced and well respected provider of wireless networks and associated professional services, having provided and advised upon well in excess of two thousand wireless networks over the past ten years.

Ensign's opinion on the subject of safety and wireless networks is that this technology should be viewed as being safe to use given the relatively low radio transmitter powers involved.

Wi-Fi in schools - the best configuration

UK wireless Access Points should not radiate a power level of greater than 100 mW EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) or 1-tenth of 1 Watt if you prefer. Having said that many do radiate more power than this, as they have been installed by people who are unfamiliar with the technology, (as wireless networks are typically not their core business) using larger, higher-gain antennas in an attempt to provide the maximum wireless coverage area or "footprint" per Access Point. This typically results in poorly sited Access Points and antennas being run at full power in order to reduce the total number of Access Points required, and hence the cost, to provide wireless coverage of a building or site.

Whilst Ensign does not perceive wireless networks to be a health risk, we do believe in minimising any potential risk that may be present - however small. Ensign regards such a measure as being sound engineering practice, or just plain common sense if you prefer. Therefore the Ensign approach to wireless network design is to carefully engineer the wireless network such that lower Access Point, and client, transmitter powers can be used, whilst still providing the flexibility and mobility that a wireless network can and should provide.

Ensign would welcome the opportunity to discuss and advise upon either your existing or a proposed wireless network. Please call or contact us by selecting this link.