TL;DR: Poor planning, wrong siting, inadequate power and weak QA make monitoring data unreliable and costly. Fix site surveys, pick the right sensors, plan power and communications, and run proper commissioning to get usable data.
Key Takeaways:
- Do a formal site survey with photos, GPS and a comms test at each mounting spot.
- Match sensor specs to the measurement need and verify performance on site.
- Provide backup power and confirm data transmission before handover.
- Commission the system, run a short trial and keep simple QA and calibration logs.
Many organisations treat monitoring gear as ‘fit-and-forget’, assuming installed units will deliver accurate readings for years without intervention.
Small planning oversights, such as wrong siting, insufficient power or poor communications, soon show up as drifting readings, frequent downtime and costly rework.
These failures can jeopardise compliance reporting and erode client trust.
1. Skipping A Proper Site Survey
Too often a site survey is treated as optional. Skipping it usually means poorly placed sensors, hidden interference and extra site visits.
What a good site survey finds
A useful survey spots nearby pollution sources, dominant airflow and practical mounting limits.
It also checks wireless signal strength, power access and temporary factors such as nearby machinery or short-term works that could skew readings.
How to make every survey useful
Take clear photos, record GPS coordinates and note any local risks for each proposed location.
Talk with site staff about typical activity, test communications on the exact mounting spot and turn your notes into a simple site plan the installation team signs off on before you order equipment.
2. Picking the Wrong Sensor for the Job
Not all sensors measure the same thing in the same way. Choosing the cheapest or a general-purpose model often gives you numbers that look convincing but cannot be relied on.
Know the measurement requirements
Work out the detection range, required accuracy and any regulatory limits before you order.
Pick sensors whose specifications match the variable you need to monitor and the way you plan to report the results.
Beware of “one-size-fits-all” claims
A unit meant for outdoor air can fail quickly in a humid indoor environment. Always ask vendors for field performance data or case studies that show how a sensor performs in conditions like yours.
3. Poor Placement Destroys Data Quality
Two metres can be the difference between reliable readings and background noise, so exact placement matters more than brand.
Do not install samplers next to vents, doors or exhausts where local emissions will dominate readings.
Both height and horizontal position affect particulates and some gases, so test readings at the planned mounting height when you can.
Keep sensors clear of nearby machinery, parked vehicles and short-term works to avoid skewed results.
4. Neglecting Cabling, Power and Communications Planning
Plan cabling, power and communications before ordering to avoid last-minute delays and surprise costs.
Power backups
Fit a UPS or backup supply for critical monitors and test how the system behaves overnight and at weekends.
Label backup systems and record expected runtime so onsite teams know how long monitoring will continue during an outage.
Confirm communications
Check cellular, LoRa or Wi-Fi at the exact mounting spot during a site visit. If coverage is poor, plan for a wired link, an external antenna or a signal booster.
Do a quick data upload test to confirm transmission and latency under real conditions.
5. Ignoring Calibration and Maintenance Schedules
Follow the manufacturer’s calibration guidance, but shorten intervals in dusty, humid or high-vibration sites and log the date, technician and reference to spot drift.
Also budget for spare sensors and routine checks so small issues are fixed before they become costly failures.
6. No Plan for Data Quality Assurance
Raw numbers without QA rules are risky for decision-making. Sensors produce noise and occasional spikes that need handling.
Define QA rules before installation
Decide how you will flag suspect data, handle gaps and validate alarms. Include simple, practical checks such as range gates, rate-of-change limits and spike filters, so bad values are flagged automatically at the point of collection.
Make these rules part of commissioning tests and run them during the trial period to confirm the system behaves as expected.
Keep a simple audit trail
Record who changed settings, when calibrations happened and any field notes.
Keep brief, consistent entries that state the reason for a change and the reference used; this makes it far easier to explain anomalies and prove data integrity.
For a clear reminder of how missed alarms and bad data can escalate, see why environmental monitoring matters.
7. Overlooking enclosure, mounting and weatherproofing
A solid enclosure is not optional for outdoor installs. Water ingress, condensation and heat can ruin a sensor fast, often within weeks.
Choose durable mounting hardware
Pick corrosion-resistant fittings and lockable housings suited to the site. Bolt mounts and tamper-resistant fasteners reduce the risk of vandalism and accidental knocks.
Consider thermal and moisture control
Add sun shields, passive ventilation and desiccant packs to keep internal humidity low and reduce temperature swings.
Good airflow prevents stagnant pockets that cause false readings and extends service intervals.
8. Compensation and Corrections
Sensors need correction for temperature, pressure and humidity. Skipping these adjustments biases your data and can lead to wrong decisions.
Onboard compensation can help but always verify it on site by comparing outputs to a trusted reference during commissioning.
Log every correction, why you applied it and the reference used so reports stay credible and audits are straightforward.
9. Weak Commissioning
Commissioning proves the system works in the real world and stops hidden faults from surfacing after handover. Skipping it often leads to downtime, rework and unexpected costs.
Measurable checklist
Test sensor response, communications and power failover, recording pass or fail, date, installer initials and any remedial steps for each check.
If intermittent faults appear, note when they occur and who investigated so follow-up is quick and accountability is clear.
Short trial
Operate the system for at least one week under normal conditions to confirm stability and tune alarms and filters.
Compare readings with a trusted reference during the trial and lock in thresholds before final sign-off.
10. Not Planning for Scale and Change
Many systems are built for today’s needs and cannot adapt as the site grows. That short-term approach often forces costly upgrades and unexpected downtime.
Design for growth by choosing platforms that accept extra sensors and spare channels without a full swap.
Keep software open with APIs and easy export options so you can add tools and analyse data as needs change.
Quick checklist to avoid installation failure
- Do a formal site survey with photos and GPS.
- Match sensor specs to the measurement need.
- Plan power and communications before ordering.
- Create a calibration and maintenance budget.
- Run commissioning tests and a short trial.
- Train onsite staff and document procedures.
For more on how monitoring links to safety and legal requirements, see environmental monitoring for safety and compliance.
Why Choose Minerva
We specialise in delivering turn-key environmental monitoring solutions for industry and government clients.
Our team handles site surveys, tailored sensor selection and full commissioning so you get usable data from day one.
Learn more about our monitoring products and installation services here: Environmental monitors and installation services.
Ready to stop bad data?
Small choices at installation time shape your data for years. Address these pitfalls up front and your monitoring system will repay you with trustable information and fewer surprises.
Book a site assessment with Minerva!
