April 10, 2024

Why Metering Airflow Beats Measuring Airflow In Critical Spaces

22 minutes

Join us in this insightful discussion as we delve into

Phoenix Controls' core decision almost 40 years ago—not to measure airflow in their systems. Discover the reasons behind this decision and explore the impact of airflow measurement accuracy on critical spaces such as hospitals and chemistry labs.

Learn about the limitations and challenges of traditional airflow measurement methods and the innovative approach of metering airflow instead. Gain valuable insights into the potential consequences of inaccurate airflow measurement in critical environments and understand the factors affecting the accuracy of pressure transducers and airflow control systems over time. In this thought-provoking video, dive deep into the world of HVAC controls and critical space management with Phoenix Controls.

Here are the key points covered in this podcast:

1. The Founder's Decision: Explore why the founder of Phoenix Controls opted not to measure airflow and instead focused on a different methodology for controlling airflow in buildings.

2. Impact on Critical Spaces: Understand the implications of airflow measurement accuracy in critical environments such as hospitals and chemistry labs, where even a small error can have significant consequences.

3. Limitations of Airflow Measurement: Learn about the

challenges and limitations associated with traditional airflow measurement methods, including issues with sensor installation, response speed, stability, and maintenance.

4. Metering vs. Measuring: Discover the concept of metering airflow rather than measuring it, and why Phoenix Controls adopted this innovative approach to improve control accuracy.

5. Consequences of Inaccuracy: Delve into the potential repercussions of inaccurate airflow measurement in critical spaces, including operational disruptions, energy inefficiency, and financial losses.

6. Factors Affecting Accuracy: Explore the impact of factors like lack of straight duct runs, system delays, and maintenance on the accuracy of pressure transducers and airflow control systems over time.

The decision by Phoenix Controls not to measure airflow almost 40 years ago has paved the way for a new approach to HVAC control, focusing on metering airflow for improved accuracy and reliability in critical

environments. By understanding the challenges and limitations of traditional airflow measurement methods, we can appreciate the importance of innovative solutions in optimizing airflow control systems.

Careful attention to design is crucial for laboratory

settings, including fume hood face velocity, fume hood monitoring and use, laboratory air recirculation, laboratory/building pressurization, laboratory airflow exchange rates, manifold exhaust systems, exhaust stack height, exhaust duct velocity, general air distribution guidelines, controls (pressure-independent and general), testing and monitoring, work practices, selection of specialty hoods, and sound levels in rooms.

For critical environment Phoenix Controls valve support in North Carolina and South Carolina, please contact Insight Partners today!

For more HVAC content, you can visit our YouTube channel here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HVAC-TV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Engineers HVAC Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/engineers-hvac-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Insight Partners (Commercial HVAC Products and Controls in NC, SC, GA): Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.insightusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hobbs & Associates, Inc. (Commercial HVAC Products and Controls in VA, TN, MD, AL): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.hobbsassociates.com⁠

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By Tony Mormino, HVAC Marketing Director, Engineer, and Your Humble Host

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