Indoor Air-Pressure Sensors
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Undesirable air pressures in buildings can cause air
movement and leakage in ways that adversely affect health, comfort,
energy costs, and the longevity of buildings. — Air Pressure and Building Envelopes by Dr. Joseph Lstiburek. Model PD7 provides an accurate, reliable and affordable means to visually monitor a very low positive, or negative, air pressure differential. Maintaining indoor air pressure within a very-low range is recommended by ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2004, United States EPA, Building Science Corporation, and others. |
Maintaining a positive indoor air pressure equal to 0.5 Pascals (0.002 inches of water column) helps to solve problems, without creating new problems, in the following applications:
- Minimize entry of radon gas, water vapor, and insecticide fumes from the soil through pores and cracks in the lowest floors and walls.
- Minimize the escape of warm humid indoor air through walls and attics during the heating season.
- Minimize the entry of hot humid outdoor air through walls and attics during the air-conditioning season.
- Minimize entry of microbes, dust, and other air pollutants from outdoors through unfiltered openings.
- Enable air exhaust fans to work at full capacity to remove odors and pollutants.
Prevent backdrafting (reverse flow) of natural-draft (non-powered) chimneys.
- Prevent entry of sewer gasses whenever the water trap in a sewer drain has evaporated.
Sewer drain pipes have a "U" shaped section designed to hold enough water to block entry of sewer gasses into your building.
CAUTION: Sewer gasses will flow into your building if the water barrier in the "U" shaped section is lost due to evaporation and the indoor air pressure is less than than the air pressure in the sewer pipes.
Hospitals use the Pressure-Detective to help prevent the spread of infectious microbes.
Building Contractors use the Pressure-Detective during construction and renovation to monitor the difference in air pressure between their work area and rooms occupied by their clients.
Affordable.
Rugged and reliable.
Recalibration is never required.
Simple construction: The only moving part is an internal silver colored balloon.
Provides a clearly visible indication when the air pressure differential is greater, of less than, the rated pressure.
Optional system provides an electrical signal when the air pressure differential is above, or below, the rated level.
Balloon deflatedThe real disk is white on top and colored on its bottom
A reflection of the colored disk appears when the internal balloon is deflated.
NOTE: To enlarge the image, click on it.
Balloon inflatedA reflection of the colored disk disappears when the internal balloon is inflated.
In addition to the blue colored disk shown above, green , yellow and red are shipped with each air pressure sensor.
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Pressure-Detective™, Model PD7 @ $77 each
with free shipping within the USA via U.S. Post Office Priority Mail.
To enlarge the image, click on it.
Approximate size: 10 inches (254 millimeters) diameter x 3 inches
(76 millimeters) deep.NOTES:
- For your convenience, a six-foot length of 5/8 inch O. D. clear
plastic hose is included with each unit.- The hose can be extended under a door, or through a 3/4 inch
diameter hole.Instructions for monitoring and control of indoor air pressure are included with each air pressure sensor.
Pressure-Detective™, Model PD7E @ $147 each
with free shipping within the USA via USPO Priority Mail.
Model PD7E includes all the features of Model PD7, plus an electrical
circuit that you can use to activate a signal, fan, damper, etc.
NOTEs:
Use a 5 to 24 Volt D. C. power supply. Output voltage will equal
input voltage. Output current is 1.5 ~3 milliamps. For details about
installation, see the Wiring Guide.- When cleaning the lid, use a damp cloth to avoid creating static
electricity that might otherwise cause the balloon to cling to the lid.- Maximum rated pressure differential is 1,500 Pascals
( 6 inches or 15 centimeters of water column).
Specific Applications:
- Monitoring indoor air pressure relative to soil gas pressure
- Air-Duct Leakage to, or from, the exterior
- Hospital Air Pressure
- Restaurant Air Pressure
- Apartment Air Pressure
- Monitoring air pressure in basements
Additional Sources of Information
- Air Pressure and Building Envelopes
- Moisture Movement through Air leakage vs. Diffusion
- Practical Information for Meeting Your Ventilation Requirements
Your Satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed!
To discuss your requirements and/or order products, contact:
Jon Traudt
Health & Energy Company
3316 Augusta Avenue
Omaha, NE 68144-4113
Office: 402-697-1205
Cellular: 402-680-4429
E-mail: jtraudt@tconl.comNOTES:
Our air pressure sensors are patented. United States Patents Numbers 6,328,647 and 7,213,464.
The First Place Prize, Practical Category, in the 1992 Innovative Radon Mitigation Design Competition was awarded to Jon Traudt for "Ventilation Rate and Indoor Air Pressure Control". The international competition was sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Association of Energy Engineers. The prize winning design by Jon Traudt was based on EPA's recommendation to block entry of soil gasses by keeping the air pressure in the lowest rooms slightly higher than the pressure of gasses in the soil. Radon mitigation is only one of the many benefits available when you control the ventilation rate and indoor air pressure.
