Sonja +/or Dr. Beaudoin,
Would you mind compiling and submitting the response/experience to the list? The theory sounds intriguing from an energy reduction standpoint. However I am concerned about the application, implementation, calibration, maintenance and integrity of such a system. Who is/will be held accountable when the mechanical system, calibrations, etc. fail, e.g., design engineers (who may be the same ones recommending “value engineering” prior to project completion), maintenance, EH&S, laboratory management, etc? Laboratory chemicals, tasks, operations, etc. are continuously changing and we have to always keep the physical and chemical properties of each being used and I’ve been “value engineered” to my wit’s end!
BruceV
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Janet Baum
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:56 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Experience with Aircuity systems?
Dear Sonja, Mr. Daniel Beaudoin, head of facilities at Harvard U., School of Public Health, has had extensive experience with Aircuity Systems in the buildings he manages. You can contact him at dbeaudoin**At_Symbol_Here**harvard.hsph.edu.. I'll let him know you may contact him.
Janet Baum
On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 4:47 PM, Ringen, Sonja G. <sonja.ringen**At_Symbol_Here**nist.gov> wrote:
As part of a laboratory building remodel, the design engineers are proposing an “Aircuity” system to monitor air quality and adjust ventilation rates accordingly as part of an energy savings method. Do you have experience with this or a similar system and would be willing to share that experience with me?
Energy savings and absolute safety might be incompatible when it comes to laboratory ventilation. Questions that come to my mind relate to the reliability of the system, the degree of specialty knowledge needed to maintain such a system, and changing demands on chemical uses. What if the type of chemicals change in a lab? Does that require a new sensor? Who makes decisions on the quality of the readings? What happens if the system fails? What if quality slowly degrades vs. a sudden failure? Will people monitoring the system be able to detect it?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge,
Sonja Ringen
Safety Specialist
Boulder Safety, Health and Environment
National Institute of Standards and Technology
325 Broadway, MC 153.02
Boulder, CO 80305
Work: 303-497-7389
Mobile: 303-961-9251
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