List of Equipments and Tools essential for Environmental Science Laboratory
at Architectural Educational Institutes.
(August 20, 2010) a.) Environmental Data Loggers: Data loggers are useful equipments to monitor environmental conditions inside buildings and outside buildings. It can log data for long time (up to 3 years) at regular defned intervals for Temperature, Humidity, Luminance and also if needed can measure CO/CO2 with additional probe. b.) Light measurement Lux meters: A light meter is a device used to measure the amount of luminance. Light meters can help in conducting Post Occupancy Evaluation studies, daylight penetration studies and need for electric light and related energy usage in conditioned environments. They are handheld meters capable of logging as well as taking instantaneous measurements for lux level. c.) Instantaneous Air Velocity Anemometer: Indoor environmental quality afects the comfort, safety and health of building occupants. Air velocity meters to measure air velocity and air pressure. Depending on the type of application, air velocity meters are made as hot wire air velocity meters or pocket weather air velocity meters, both of which can measure air velocity and air pressure. The results of measuring the air velocity can be stored in memory, depending on the model. They are ideal for taking quick or constant measurements for thermal comfort PMV rating for thermal sensation, spaces served by Air conditioners. d.) Instantaneous Indoor Air Quality and CO2 / CO measurement meter: Indoor air quality afects the comfort, safety and health of building occupants and directly impacts concentration and productivity. Maintaining a comfortable environment includes making measurements and taking corrective action for thermal comfort involving temperature, humidity, draft and ventilation. Indoor Air quality meters can help in conducting Post Occupancy Evaluation studies as well as help determining user perceive thermal comfort standards. They are handheld meters capable of logging as well as taking instantaneous measurements for environmental parameters. e.) Sound Measurement meter Decibel measurement: Sound level meters measure sound pressure level and are commonly used in noise pollution studies for the quantifcation of almost any noise, but especially for urban noise pollution near high trafc areas, environmental and aircraft noise. Sound measurements are also necessary equipment to understand acoustical performance of buildings. Combination of loudness meter and sound meter are helpful in understanding human perception of sound. f.) Weather Station: Weather Station helps in collecting realtime data about environmental conditions outside building. It also will help in collecting weather data at localized place for long time. g.) Infrared Thermography Infrared Camera: Infrared Thermography, thermal imaging, thermographic imaging, or thermal video, is a type of infrared imaging science. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 900 14,000 nanometers or 0.914 m) and produce images of that radiation. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects based on their temperatures, according to the black body radiation law, thermography makes it possible to "see" one's environment with or without visible illumination. With help of thermography camera it is possible to understand the air leakage and energy performance of building and their fenestration products.
h.) Surface temperature measurement probes: Basic function of the RTD sensor is to measure surface temperature. With help of these it is possible to carry out on site measurements of building and their various components especially efect of Cool Roof / White roof performance. RTDs are also helpful in understanding Window glazing performance against condensation. These kind of study will help to understand thermal performance of materials and thermal lag of buildings on site data will help to evaluate strategies for energy efcient buildings and can provide good database of surface temperatures. These also are helpful in creating awareness amongst stake holders by preparing exhibits displaying performance of building materials. RTDs are also relatively immune to electrical noise disturbance and therefore well suited for temperature measurement in building environments, especially around motors, compressors, generators and other high voltage equipment. i.) Software Tool Energy Simulation Tools: Building energy simulation is the science of estimating the energy interactions within a building. These interactions include the direct purchase of energy, such as electricity for lighting or natural gas for heating, but also the exchange of energy due to such things as the infltration of air into a building or the heat generated by a building's occupants. Simulation attempts to account for these factors, plus many more, in determining the heating, cooling and ventilation loads within a building, the equipment types and sizes needed to meet these loads, and the cost to operate this equipment plus other nonHVAC (heating, ventilating and airconditioning) equipment.