Monitors indoor environmental quality

The Telaire Ventostat 8000 Series provides CO2-based ventilation control to prevent energy losses from over-ventilation. The wall-mount sensors control individual areas such as conference rooms or classrooms, with accompanying software that logs CO2, temperature, and humidity.

GrayWolf Sensing Solutions manufactures a wide range of air quality monitoring equipment for use in walkthrough surveys, spot-checks, and short- to long-term datalogging. GrayWolf has monitoring equipment for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, hydrogen sulfide, and other chemicals, as well as air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and relative humidity. Different probes are required for different measurements. The target market for the product line includes facility managers, indoor air quality consultants, environmental engineers, and building scientists. The company also offers a wide range of data collection, reporting, and software components. Typical system costs are about $7,500. GrayWolf also offers instrument rentals backed by in-house support staff.

The CRL Series remote mount carbon dioxide sensor from Veris Industries monitors CO2 levels in commercial settings and adjusts the mechanical system accordingly to help improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort. The CRL uses an inexpensive, solid-electrolyte CO2 sensing technology that comes factory calibrated, lowering installation labor costs and minimizing troubleshooting. Accurate down to about 30 parts per million (ppm) CO2, these units have a detection range between 2000 and 5000 ppm and trigger ventilation or an alarm, based on ventilation setpoints. An LED display indicates whether the system is working normally, venting, or malfunctioning.

OptiNet™ is a permanent, automated, building-integrated system for continuously sampling and analyzing indoor air for contaminants. The OptiNet system relies on a network of MicroDuct™ structured cable that collects air samples from throughout the building for analysis using the centralized SST600 Sensor Suite instrumentation. Measurable environmental parameters include temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, particulates, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and carbon monoxide. Sophisticated controls can interface with a building management system and Aircuity’s Internet-based Knowledge Center™ for viewing facility data and providing performance evaluation reports. The MicroDuct structured cable is made of carbon nanotubes with a Kynar® fluoropolymer sheathing.

Onset Computer Corporation offers small, accurate, battery-powered data loggers in their HOBO line for a wide range of applications, including building commissioning, ongoing monitoring of occupant comfort conditions, and energy use research. They offer USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi interfaces for easy data retrieval. In addition to temperature and humidity, other available measurements and statistics include such variables as light intensity, light on/off, CO2 levels, air pressure, AC current and voltage, and motor on/off. Hardwired data loggers are also available.

The FloodStopper from FirstSmart Sensor Corporation is designed to stop plumbing overflows on the spot. It uses sensors placed at floor level near toilets, washing machines, and other potential flood sources. These sensors are connected (with wires or via a wireless link) to a central controller and an automatic shutoff valve.

Detec Systems offers a real-time, automated moisture intrusion monitoring system for building envelopes and roof systems. The detection system uses a proprietary moisture-detection tape with copper conductors and stainless steel probes which can be installed in nearly 100% of the building envelope. Zones of tape are connected to onsite sensor modules that communicate with Detec’s central monitoring center. The Detec system is primarily used in commercial, institutional and multi-family/residential buildings. The system can monitor any type of building structure, including wood-frame, non-combustible steel construction, window wall, curtain wall and concrete. The technology was originally developed for the telecom industry, and has been used to monitor cable routes for moisture intrusion since the early 1980s.

The Low Level (LL) CO Monitor displays carbon monoxide (CO) levels as low as 10 ppm, audible and visual warnings at 10, 25, 35, 50, & 70 ppm with immediate, automatic hush & hush overrides at all levels. Unlike most CO detectors, these monitors (in addition to sensing higher levels) are designed to alert occupants to low levels of CO that may be harmful, but not necessarily fatal, so that corrective measures may be taken. Most CO detectors sound an alarm only after much higher levels are sustained for a protracted period of time. The CO-Experts Low Level Monitors take a CO reading every second, then averages 5 readings, updating the display and audible alarm every 5 seconds. The monitor provides 1 ppm resolution. The reasons for diagnostic failure warnings are shown on the display as well as CO exposure data storage timelines, peak, time of peak, duration of CO exposure, and the resulting COHB in the blood stream. If not cleared by owner, the stored data will be retained for 2 years & 8 months. The sensor is fully monitored and provides end of life warning. The unit comes with a 1-year warranty and a 5 year expected lifetime. An annual calibration and warranty renewal service is available for an additional charge.

Atwood Mobile Products' CO alarm is certified by the Canadian Standards Association, which includes specifications for both alarm longevity and time-of-manufacture testing. Atwood uses a patented electrochemical technology to alert building occupants to the presence of carbon monoxide. According to the company, the sensor is more accurate, more energy efficient, and less sensitive to humidity than competing models. A digital display updates CO levels every 30 seconds and indicates battery and sensor conditions. The unit requires 3 AA batteries. A picture-frame leg allows installation in various locations. The Canadian Standards Association certifies Atwood CO alarms for use in RVs.

AlphaLab's handheld, battery-operated Air Ion Counter detects natural and artificial ions, including radon gas. The standard model measures up to 2 million ions per cubic centimeter.

Each EPA-recognized Pro-Lab test kit comes with a pair of radon detectors. The detectors use liquid scintillation technology with silica-gel desiccants, so they require only 96 hours of exposure before they are sealed and sent back to the lab for analysis. Results will be returned within one week; express 2-day analysis is also available. Pro-Lab also offers kits to detect pesticides, molds, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and bacteria in water, paints, dust, and on surfaces.

Air Check offers a series of radon test kits, each designed for different exposure times. The company provides fully certified analysis of mailed-in air samples for as little as $15 per test. Air Check performs same-day tests upon receipt of samples and provides a complete written report describing the results and their implications for indoor air quality.

Bacharach's The Informant detects refrigerant leaks with a microprocessor-controlled heated-diode sensor. The flashing probe indicates changing gas concentrations, and there is also a bar-graph display. The new Informant 2 detects both refrigerant and combustible gas leaks with the same instrument.

The AIRxpert 7000 is an air monitoring system that helps building managers diagnose ventilation system performance with respect to IAQ. The unit continuously measures carbon dioxide (CO2) at up to 48 locations to assess outside air delivery to occupied areas, while simultaneously providing carbon monoxide (CO) and absolute humidity (dewpoint) data for health and comfort purposes. The system can also help to minimize energy costs associated with conditioning outside air by continuously exporting CO2 data to the building automation system (BAS), which uses that data to modulate outside air dampers as occupancy fluctuates.

EMLab provides a wide array of sampling devices for measuring IAQ, including Air-O-Cell Cassettes for gathering mold and bioaerosol samples. Samples are returned to EMLab for analysis. EMLab also supplies and rents equipment for gathering specimens.