Keeping it Green: Monitoring CO2 Levels in Greenhouses

Plants thrive on CO2 for growth while producing oxygen.  One thing that many people do not know is that the optimal concentration for plant growth is over three times the atmospheric CO2 concentration today.1 This being the case, indoor gardens would be remiss if they didn’t attempt to elevate the CO2 levels in their environments to the ideal concentration. The most common way to increase the CO2 concentration is to use a propane burner to create CO2. The problem with having a propane burner in an enclosed space is that you need to know when to turn the burner on and off, as CO2 levels that rise above 1500 ppm are actually harmful to plants. Continue reading “Keeping it Green: Monitoring CO2 Levels in Greenhouses”

Importance of Sensor Stability in Educational Facilities

Educational facilities, or public and private institutions devoted to teaching students, differ in physical size and level of education programs. These institutions can range from preschool to university levels, all of which need proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and indoor air quality.

While indoor air quality (IAQ) is important for everyone’s health, it is especially important for young children that are still developing their lungs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board has completed multiple school studies that show indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health.  Continue reading “Importance of Sensor Stability in Educational Facilities”

Importance of Sensor Stability in Healthcare Isolation Rooms

Magnehelic® Gages Monitoring Isolation Room Pressure

The purpose of a healthcare isolation room is to prevent patients with contagious illnesses from spreading to others or to keep immunocompromised patients safe from exposure to airborne pathogens. As such, there exist two types of isolation rooms, either positively or negatively pressurized. 

Positive pressure isolation rooms are designed to keep pathogens and outside air from entering the room, i.e. air inside the room is forced outward and is typically used for immunocompromised patients. Like clean rooms, it is important to maintain proper positive pressure within the protective isolation room to keep the patients safe. Continue reading “Importance of Sensor Stability in Healthcare Isolation Rooms”

A Dwyer Guide to the Digital Catalog

In this age of virtual meetings and online connections, to “Google” something has become synonymous with quickly looking up information. For some, bookshelves are more for decor than they are functional, and trends are leading to becoming more environmentally-friendly and saving paper. Print media is not necessarily “dead,” but it is becoming much less prevalent as we journey forward in this digital age.

When speaking on digital resources, we have to take this chance to talk about some of the benefits that our digital catalog can offer. Available on both desktop (via our website) and mobile (via the app), the digital catalog allows you instantaneous access to application guides, selection guides, and product specifications.  Continue reading “A Dwyer Guide to the Digital Catalog”

How is Stability Related to ASHRAE 62.1 Standards?

ASHRAE 62.1 Standard for Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality provides recommendations for minimum ventilation rates and other parameters to ensure good indoor air quality (IAQ). Keeping the IAQ at a safe level will help to minimize any adverse health effects caused by air quality factors. 

The 62.1 standard is intended for both new building and building addition projects. It can also be used as a guide for the improvement of IAQ in existing buildings.

In order to properly conform to the ASHRAE 62.1 standard, it is necessary for sensors to be both stable and accurate. Continue reading “How is Stability Related to ASHRAE 62.1 Standards?”