Page 50 - Occupational Health & Safety, September 2017

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
can also be released from building materials, carpets, furniture, and many other household items as part of aging, decomposition, or curing, all of which are natural processes known as off-gassing; 98 percent of new homes have indoor formaldehyde levels ranging from 4ppb (parts per billion) to 120 ppb, with a median of 29 ppb for the first 2-5 years.
■ Carbon monoxide. Because it is impossible to see, taste, or smell the toxic fumes, CO can cause harmful effects before you are aware it is in your home. The effects of CO exposure can vary great- ly from person to person depending on age, overall health, and the concentration and length of exposure. (Source: EPA)
Strategies for Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation
A building’s envelope is the foundation for a successful ventilation strategy. A tight enclosure that minimizes moisture and air leakage lays the groundwork for a good ventilation system and also provides better energy performance overall. This creates a healthy, durable, energy-conscious space. All energy-efficient homes—new and ex- isting—require mechanical ventilation to maintain good IAQ. For mechanical whole-house ventilation, there are four basic systems.
■ Exhaust ventilation. Exhaust ventilation removes pollutants at the source. An inexpensive and simple approach to ventilating a home, exhaust-only ventilation works by forcing air out of the home to depressurize the interior and gain make-up air through passive vents. Because this ventilation system only actively exhausts air, it is not recommended in hot or humid climates. Since any make-up air
is gained passively, that air may be very humid, contain pollutants, or be too cold, leading to energy penalties for the home. Powerful exhaust systems, such as commercial-capacity range hoods, should be used cautiously with combustion appliances, as they can cause back drafting. (Source: Panasonic Ventilation2)
■ Supply ventilation. Supply ventilation, another simple and in- expensive approach, uses a fan to pressurize a home, actively bring- ing outdoor air inside while squeezing out indoor air. Supply sys- tems offer better control over pollutants in incoming air, as they only obtain outdoor air through specified vents. Pressurizing the house more readily forces out combustion gases and other pollutants. How- ever, supply systems struggle with conditioning or removing mois- ture from incoming air, and can raise heating or cooling costs.
■ Balanced ventilation. Balanced ventilation works by both actively exhausting polluted indoor air and actively drawing in fresh, outdoor air in a balanced, controlled ratio. Because the sys- tem uses more fans and ducts than either the supply or exhaust approaches, it is more costly. However, balanced ventilation is ap- propriate for all climate zones.
■ Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV). By coupling a balanced approach with an energy recovery or heat recovery ventilator (ERV or HRV), incoming air can be conditioned and dehumidified, saving on heating and cooling expenses for the home. A tight en- closure guards the interior of the home and guarantees that air is properly enclosed and controlled.
During the past several code cycles, mechanical ventilation
INTRODUCING
MP100 SINGLE GAS SERIES & CALIBRATION SYSTEM
MP100 Single Gas Detector
• Size: 3.46 x 2.44 x 1.3 in. (8.8 x 6.2 x 3.3cm) • Weight: 4.4 oz. (125g)
• Approvals:
• UL & CUL (Intrinsically Safe)
• Class I, Div l, Groups A, B, C, D
• Class II, Div I, Groups, E, F, G. Class III • Temperature Rating T4
• IP Rating: IP 67
• Super Large LCD, 30% Larger Than Most • Rugged Shell Material
• Low, High, TWA, STEL Alarms
• 6 Bright Red Flashing LEDs
• Gas Models
•CO, H2S, O2, SO2, CL2, NO, NO2, PH3, ETO, NH3, CLO2, HCN, O3, HF, HCL, CH3SH, C2H4O
• 2 Year Warranty
MP300T1 Calibration System
• Bump Test/ Calibration System • Accommodates 1 - 4 Monitors • Hard Transport Case
• Data Storage
• No Computer Required To Operate • Long Battery Life
• Up To 1500 Tests Before Recharging
• Bump Test in 35 Seconds (Gas Dependent) • Calibrate in 95 Seconds (Gas Dependent)
• 2 Year Warranty
MP100 Single Gas
MP300T1 Calibration System
Manufactured by Mpower, China.
Macurco Gas Detection www.macurco.com | 877-367-7891 info@aerionicsinc.com Sioux Falls, SD
CONTACT US FOR INFORMATION
Circle 57 on card. See us at NSC, Booth 7467
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