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AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings

INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
INTERIORS of buildings

ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES
AIR BYPASS LEAKS
AIR CHANGE RATE ACH HEAT SAVINGS
AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES

AIR FILTER EFFECTIVENESS
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR FILTERS, OPTIMUM INDOOR
AIR FILTERS, SOURCES FOR
AIR FILTERING STRATEGIES
AIR FILTERING CONTINUOUS FAN OPERATION
AIR HANDLER / BLOWER UNITS
AIR POLLUTANTS, COMMON INDOOR

AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
  Find Heat Loss & Air Leaks
  Heat Loss Investigation Sequence
  Blower Door Test Data Results
  Smoke Gun for Air Leaks
  Smoke Pencil / Smoke Gun Suppliers
  Attic Energy Losses - InfraRed
  Basement Energy Losses- IR & Visual
  Duct System Air Movement
  Living Space Heat Loss
  Targets & Hidden Leak Points
  Thermography IR Infra Red & Thermal Scanners
  Convective Loops & Thermal Bypass Leaks
  HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be
  Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
  The Bottom Line on Energy Retrofits
AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION
AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE
AIR SEALING STRATEGIES

ANIMAL ALLERGENS
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
ASBESTOS-FREE INSULATION MATERIALS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings
ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & ATTIC MOLD
ATTIC VENTILATION

BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER
BASEMENT HEAT LOSS
BASEMENT LEAKS, INSPECT FOR
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING

BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE
BATHROOM VENTILATION
BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION
BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING
BLOWN-IN INSULATION

BRICK LINED WALLS
BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION
BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE

CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION
CEILING FINISHES INTERIOR
CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL
CEILINGS, PLASTER TYPES

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE

CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION
CEILING FINISHES INTERIOR
CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL
CEILINGS, PLASTER TYPES

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT BUILDINGS
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE
CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
CRAWL SPACES

DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DEHUMIDIFICATION PROBLEMS
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR

ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings
  AFUE DEFINITION, RATINGS
  AIR BYPASS LEAKS
  AIR CHANGE RATE ACH HEAT SAVINGS
  AIR CONDITIONING HEAT PUMP SAVINGS
  AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE
  APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
  ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & ATTIC MOLD
  COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
  ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One
  ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON
  ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS
  ENERGY STAR PROGRAM
  ENERGY USE MONITORING
  GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss
  HEAT LOSS in buildings
  HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
  HIGH MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING
  HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be
  INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
  INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT
  RADIANT BARRIERS
  REFLECTIVE INSULATION
  ROOF COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS
  Skylight Energy Efficiency
  SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  THERMAL MASS in buildings
  TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS
  VENTILATION, BALANCED HEAT COST SAVINGS
  WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
  WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
  WOOD, COAL STOVES & FIREPLACES

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY

EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES

FIBERGLASS INSULATION
FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD

FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK
FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION

FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN buildings-mold

FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB CHOICES
FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB POURED FINISH
FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS
FLOOR RADIANT HEAT Mistakes to Avoid
FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS

FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
FRENCH DRAINS
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB

GASES, EXPOSURE, TESTING
  Carbon Dioxide - CO2
  Carbon Monoxide - CO
  METHANE GAS SOURCES
GAS MEASUREMENT TOOLS
  Drager gas sampling pump
  Colorimetric gas detection tubes
  GAUGE, REFRIGERATION PRESSURE TEST
  TIF 5000 Gas Detector
  TIF 8800 Gas Detector
  Warnings: gas detectors
  Warning: gas detector tubes

HEAT LOSS in buildings
HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
  Find Heat Loss & Air Leaks
  Heat Loss Investigation Sequence
  Blower Door Test Data Results
  Smoke Gun for Air Leaks
  Smoke Pencil / Smoke Gun Suppliers
  Attic Energy Losses - InfraRed
  Basement Energy Losses- IR & Visual
  Duct System Air Movement
  Living Space Heat Loss
  Targets & Hidden Leak Points
  Thermography IR Infra Red & Thermal Scanners
  Convective Loops & Thermal Bypass Leaks
  HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be
  Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
  The Bottom Line on Energy Retrofits
HEAT LOSS INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS PREVENTION PRIORITIES
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS

HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roof Solutions
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be

HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET

ICE DAM PREVENTION
INSULATION CHOICES
Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE
INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM
INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT

LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LEED Building Designation & IAQ
LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE
LOG HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LOG HOME GUIDE

MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS
MOISTURE CONTROL in buildings
MOLD in FOAM INSULATION, RESISTANCE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets

Nanomaterials Hazards
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS
NOISE CONTROL for FLOORS
NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING
NOISE CONTROL for ROOFS

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE

PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD
PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE
PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL
PASCAL CALCULATIONS

RADIANT BARRIERS
RADIANT HEAT
RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
RADIANT HEAT TEMPERATURES
RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES
RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES
REFLECTIVE INSULATION
RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS
ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
ROOF VENTING NEEDED?
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES
ROT, TIMBER FRAME

SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
  MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets
  Chemicals, Cleaners MSDS
  Drywall MSDS
  Gases in buildings MSDS
  Heating Fuels, Controls, Oil, Crude Oil, Gas MSDS
  Insulation Products MSDS
  Fiberglass Insulation Exposure Limits
  Mold Related Products MSDS
  Paint / Sealant MSDS
  Septic Dye MSDS
  Septic & Holding/RV Tank/Toilet Chemicals MSDS
  Smoke Generator Chemicals Powders MSDS
  Water Purification Products MSDS
  SAFETY: Elderly & Veterans Home Safety

SMELL PATCH TEST to Track Down Odors
SEARS KIT HOUSES

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
SOUND CONTROL in buildings
STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG
STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE

STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS
STONE CLEANING METHODS

STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER
STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION
STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION
STUCCO PAINT FAILURES

SUMP PUMPS GUIDE
SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS

THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in buildings

THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS
  Ceiling Thermal Tracking Marks
  Wall Thermal Tracking Stains
  Floor Carpet Thermal Tracking Stains
  Air Bypass Leaks Marks on Insulation
  Thermal Tracking to Diagnose IAQ
  Stains HVAC Supply Registers
  Pet Stains on Floors
  Pet Stains on Walls
  Human Occupant Stains on Walls
  Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces
  Other Stains on Indoor Walls & Ceilings
  What to Do About Thermal Tracking

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings
  ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE
  BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER
  CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
  CRAWL SPACE VAPOR BARRIER
  DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
  DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
  FELT 15# ROOFING, as HOUSEWRAP/VAPOR BARRIER
  HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
  HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS
  HOUSEWRAP PRODUCT CHOICES
  HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES
  HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
  MOISTURE CONTROL in buildings
  RAIN SPLASH-UP SIDING DAMAGE
  VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS
  VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings
  VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP
  VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING
  WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR
  WOOD SIDING FLASHING DETAILS

VENTILATION in buildings

WATER ENTRY in buildings
WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
WIND WASHING INSULATION At EAVES
WINDOWS & DOORS

WINTERIZE A BUILDING
Wood Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves
Woodstove Safety

ZONE VALVES

More Information

Smoke test demonstrating air lea at a door (C) Daniel Friedman

Smoke Pens: Where to Buy Smoke Pencils, Smoke Puffers & Smoke Generating Tools
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • Where to buy smoke pencils, smoke pencil sticks, smoke puffers, smoke guns, air current tubes, & energy savings inspection equipment: smoke gun suppliers
  • Catalog of smoke generating devices for air movement, air leaks, smoke detector testing, duct leak testing, fireplace testing, appliance flue vent and chimney testing, etc.
  • Using smoke emitter pencils, smoke guns, or smoke generators for finding air leaks & building heat loss
  • Building heat loss & energy efficiency tools & procedures: smoke matches, smoke pellets, smoke generators
  • How to find and seal building air leaks, how to find and correct points of un-wanted building heat loss or heat gain
  • Questions & answers about choosing, buying, & using smoke pens, smoke pencils and related HVAC and building air movement test tools
  • Solar Age Magazine Articles on Renewable Energy, Energy Savings, Construction Practices

Where to choose & buy smoke test equipment for HVAC & air movement tests in buildings: This article provides sources of smoke pencils and air leak detection tools for building energy savings.

InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.

This article series discusses finding and curing basement heat loss points, a step in how to find points of heat loss and air leaks in buildings using a variety of tools and inspection methods including infra red, smoke tests, visual inspection, and tests.

This detailed article accompanies a building weatherization and energy-savings company through a detailed building inspection for heat loss points and air leaks. The author accompanied Princeton Energy Partners as they used the blower door, thermal imaging, smoke guns, and visual inspection to pinpoint building air leaks, convective loops, heat loss points, air infiltration and air exfiltration on a building. Accompanying text is reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Our page top photo shows the website author using a smoke tester to view air movement into an un-insulated wall cavity.

Readers should review Smoke Gun for Air Leaks where we describe how to use a smoke pencil or smoke gun, and also see AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS and AIR BYPASS LEAKS as well as HEAT LOSS in buildings and HEAT LOSS INDICATORS. For advice on sealing against air leans during new building construction, see AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION.

Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Where to Find & Buy Smoke Pencils for Tracing Air Leaks in buildings

Question: source to purchase smoke testing equipment

Where can I buy a smoke pencil ? -- Jerry Fry, Monterey CA

Answer:

Immediately below we provide a list of companys providing smoke guns, pencils, bombs, emitters, puffers and similar HVAC and building air movement test equipment. We also provide links to MSDS and other safety and usage guides for smoke emitting and test equipment.

Our photo (at page top and again at below left) shows a simple smoke generating "pencil" in use to test for air leaks at an opening in an icynene foam insulated crawl space. The glass tube is filled with a chemical that generates a chemical "smoke" when the tube ends are broken off and air is pushed through the tube by the rubber bulb in the website author's hand.

At Smoke Gun for Air Leaks we discuss the use of smoke generators, and smoke guns or smoke pencils in buildings.

Catalog of Types of Smoke Emitters, Pencils, Guns, Puffers & Where to Buy Them

Foam insulation air leaks (C) Daniel FriedmanSmoke pencils, smoke guns, smoke matches, canned smoke, and fine powder smoke "puffers" are valuable for detecting where air infiltrates (leaks in) or exfiltrates (leaks out) of buildings or HVAC ducts, can be purchased from a variety of building and environmental test equipment suppliers including those listed below.

Watch out: some smoke tracing emitters produce highly toxic fumes (such as sulfuric acid H2SO4) that can injure lungs, eyes, skin, or even cause death if used at high concentrations in an enclosed space.

  • BJÖRNAX smoke products is the original producer of many of the smoke emitting products listed here and distributed by a wide range of suppliers. Contact: Björnax AB, Stråssa Företagsby, 71177 Stråssa Sweden, Tel: +46 (0)581 431 50, Fax: +46 (0)581 432 06, Website: http://www.bjornax.se
  • Fire Systems Services, an Australian company, is a large distributor of smoke generators and other fire and fire-fighting-related equipment Contact: Fire System Services, Unit 1, 16 Glasgow Street, Wingfield, South Australia 5013, Mail to: P.O. Box 16, Prospect SA 5082, Tel: +61 8 8445 6300, Website: http://www.firesys.com.au/
Gastec 9501 smoke generator (C) Daniel Friedman
  • Gastec, produces a wide range of gas detector tubes. Using the same technology Gastec produces a tube, the Gastec Irritant Smoke Qualitative Fit Testing Kit No. 9501 that operates as a smoke emitter, producing an ultra-fine white tracer smoke" that can be used to observe air movement.

    See GAS MEASUREMENT TOOLS for a discussion of how this equipment is used.

    The Gastec irritant smoke qualitative fit testing kit No. 9501 is designed to meet and be used in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134.

    When the ends of the glass tube are cut off, the reagent in the tube reacts with air (squeezed through the tube with a rubber bulb) to produce visible and highly irritating smoke.

    Rubber caps are provided to seal the open tube so that it can be re-used later, but be sure to see our warnings about the corrosivity of these materials discussed below under National Draeger and the Dräger "smoke tube" # CH16631

    Watch out
    : according to the warnings published by Gastec and included with these tubes, the smoke emitted by these tubes is dangerous to life. Read all instructions and warnings before attempting to use this product.
  • Kitagawa produces gas detector tubes (for example used with Sensidyne gas detector pumps). their product line may include smoke emitter tubes for use with different instruments.
Smoke test example (C) Daniel Friedman
  • National Draeger, the Dräger Air Current Test Kit is described by the manufacturer:

    Often the determination of airflow in HVAC ducts, fume hoods and other ventilation systems is necessary to locate problems. This Air Current Test Kit is a quick and inexpensive way to help make these determinations. It works by creating a highly visible non-irritating dense white smoke that can be followed to determine the airflow direction.

    To use, simply open the ends of the glass tubes with the supplied opener. Insert one end into the aspirator bulb. Squeeze the aspirator bulb to release a plume of smoke. Tubes are reuseable until the medium has been extinguished. Caps are provided to cover the tube ends between uses.


    The Dräger Flow Check Airflow Indicator (much more costly), is described by the maufacturer as follows:

    The Dräger Flow Check system produces harmless clouds of smoke for use in detecting the flow of air currents. The system consists of a handheld instrument and a disposable ampoule containing smoke generating fluid. The ampoule fluid is a special mixture of alcohols developed at Dräger that when heated in the instrument, it condenses on contact with the ambient air creating a harmless, environmentally safe cloud of smoke. The flow check is compact and easy to use. Small, single clouds of smoke can be generated with a short press of a button. Continuous production of smoke is possible by locking the button in the on position.
    Contact:National Draeger, PO Box 120, Pittsburgh PA 15230 - 412-787-8383 - 866-905-9793
    See Use of a Drager pump for a discussion of how Draeger equipment is used in the field. Also see Warnings re instruments for detection of gases.

    Watch out: the Dräger "smoke tube" # CH16631 produces a sulfuric acid gas sulfuric acid H2SO4 /SO3 that is dangerous to life and is highly corrosive. Take a look at our copy of the Dräger MSDS for their CH25301 Air Current Tubes. We stored this MSDS in the box with the rubber bulb and tube cutter provided by Dräger. These air current monitoring tubes are provided with rubber caps so that the tube can be "stopped" or shut down when not in use. But the sulfuric acid was so corrosive that it not only caused the rubbger caps to disintegrate, it actually "burned" or oxidized our copy of the MSDS paper form! Dräger MSDS for Dräger CH25301 Air Current Tubes, Page 1 and Dräger MSDS for Dräger CH25301 Air Current Tubes, Page 2
  • Nextteq irritating smoke fit testing amd airflow or air current analysis kits use the Gastec Irritant Smoke Qualitative Fit Testing Kit No. 9501 discussed above. Nexteq, 877-312-2444 website: www.nextteq.com email: info@nextteq.com. Nextteq explains the use of irritating smoke for [respirator] fit testing as quick, easy to use, economical, and intrinsically safe and ready to use. "Irritating smoke is the only OSHA-accepted qualitative fit testing method that does not rely on the test subject's subjective response. Qualitative fit tests such as banana oil (isoamyl acetate), saccharin, or Bitrex may cause false negative results."

    Watch out: some smoke tracing emitters produce highly toxic fumes (such as sulfuric acid H2SO4) that can injure lungs, eyes, skin, or even cause death if used at high concentrations in an enclosed space. Read all instructions and warnings before attempting to use this product.
  • Smoke cans: canned smoke: e.g. Smoke Check™ SAT-1, used to test smoke alarms, produced by HSI Fire & Safety Group, sold by home inspection tool suppliers & HVAC suppliers
  • Smoke guns: E. Vernon Hill, Inc., PO Box 14248, San Francisco CA 94114 - 415-665-6628

Because smoke guns and smoke equipment are widely used by and produced by people involved in both HVAC and indoor air quality work, companies providing those services or who sell equipment to those practitioners can supply smoke testing equipment in a variety of forms such as ultra-fine powder that is "puffed" into the air to detect air movement direction, chemical tubes that generate smoke when opened, and capsules used to generate smoke to test for leaks in furnace heat exchangers.

We (D Friedman) use smoke generating tubes and other gas sampling equipment provided by the two most reliable companies in the world, Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro™ bellows pump, the Gastec™ cylinder pump and detector-tube system produced by Gastec or Sensidyne, and we also use Sensidyne's Gilian air pump. For broad screening for combustibles and a number of other toxic gases and for leak tracing we also use Amprobe's Tif8850. All of these instruments, their applications, and sensitivities (minimum detectable limits) for specific gases are described in our Gas Sampling Plan online document.

Smoke bottle (C) Daniel Friedman
  • Smoke emitter bottles or candles: typically using titanium tetrachloride ampoules, operate for 24-hours per ampoule, corrosive irritating smoke (see our MSDS references below). E.g. Miniax™ 45-second, 150cuft. "non-toxic smoke emitter" (gets hot, place on a safe surface, can, or sand) and Fire System Services Smoke Emitter candles, matches, powders indlucing Miniax, Ventilax, Brandax, Datax, white smoke emitter candles discussed above, and coloured smoke emitters such as their AAX18, AX60, and Brandax KSO.

    Our photo (left) shows a Regin Powder Puffer "smoke" No. S201 air current tester that uses finely-ground silica (CAS 112945-52-5). Instructions include
    • Shake well
    • Squeeze the center of the bottle with a quick firm motion
    • Not edible. Do not inhale. Keep out of reach of children. Use only as Directed.
  • Smoke matches: short burning, perhaps 20 seconds, low cost, can be a bit awkward. Suppliers: PH Gas Smatch, container of 75, in U.K., under £4. , Splintax (Regin HVAC Products & Fire System Services)
  • Smoke pens: an ignited wick burns 30 minutes, e.g. produced by BJÖRNAX AB. Quoting from the manufacturer:
    The Bjornax reusable Smoke Emitter Pen is the perfect tool to dispense just the right amount of test smoke, when and where it is needed. A patented smoke-emitting wick is inserted into the clutch pencil and ignited. You can adjust the wick to provide a continuous stream of a light gray to white smoke. The Smoke Pen can be easily extinguished by simply replacing the protective cover. Wick diameter is 5.6mm and will burn for approximately 30 minutes each. Also distributed by Fire System Services
  • Smoke powders: Ultra-fine powders and smoke-powder puffers: e.g. Micro-Powder Puffer, (pulverized silica and Calcium carbonate powder) from BJÖRNAX AB, & Powder-Puff Silica Smoke S201 from (company name chopped), Also distributed by Fire System Services. Smoke powders are typically emitted by squeezing a plastic bottle or using a rubber bulb attached to a specially-designed emitter-bottle.
  • HVAC equipment & test tool suppliers: check with your local heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractor suppliers. Some of these are listed following the list of page links, below at References.
  • Home inspection equipment suppliers: check with any home inspection equipment supplier
  • Also see the smoke pen or smoke puffer products listed below at Smoke Gun & Smoke Pencil System Safety, Hazards, MSDS Sheets just below

These are smoke test equipment manufacturers.They can refer you to local distributors for smoke pencils or other smoke testing and air testing or air movement testing equipment.

Also many home inspectors have and use this equipment, as do home energy auditors and "house doctors". (See Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building and MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS.)

  • At Basement Energy Losses- IR & Visual we show additional photographs of using a smoke generator tube (smoke pencil) to check building air flow and building air leaks at a basement wall.
  • At AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS we show using a smoke pencil to determine the direction of air flow (under a door) when evaluating return air supply adequacy for an air conditioning system

The question-and-answer article about buying smoke pencils to test for air movement in buildings, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article, (see links just above) from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss.

The importance of setting priorities for sealing these points of energy wasted is emphasized and discussed, and sketches as well as photographs of common points of building heat loss, or unwanted heat gain, and air leaks are provided in the following articles:

  • Building Heat Loss & Air Leaks
  • Building Heat Loss & Air Leaks - part 2
  • Building Heat Loss & Air Leaks - part 3
  • Building Heat Loss & Air Leaks - part 4

Smoke test for air leaks (C) Daniel Friedman Steven BlissReaders should also see Attic Energy Losses - InfraRed, the previous section of the article series HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS,This article explains how to survey a building for air and heat loss or gain points in basements and crawl spaces and how to correct them. Readers should also see our article focusing on BASEMENT HEAT LOSS.

Beyond simple caulking and weatherstripping, it is important to look at the whole building - moisture and moisture sources, air quality, heating and ventilation equipment, and HVAC controls - in order to determine what steps will be most cost-effective in saving energy for that particular building.

Here we include solar energy, solar heating, solar hot water, and related building energy efficiency improvement articles reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Smoke Gun & Smoke Pencil System Safety, Hazards, MSDS Sheets

Watch out: some smoking or fogging equipment uses highly irritating or even toxic gases or chemicals (tetrachloride acid or Titanium tetrachloride, or Hydrogen chloride HCL gas) that can cause eye or respiratory problems or may be poisonous if swallowed. Be sure that you use your smoke product only after having read (and followed) the manufacturer's directions.

See the example smoke pen, smoke pencil, and smoke emitter MSDS sheets below and see our full list at Smoke Generator Chemicals Powders MSDS. The MSDS sheets for these smoke candles, pens, powders, sticks, etc. include hazard warnings, intended usage, and the original manufacturer. Our original source links indicate suppliers who distribute these products in various countries.

  • Brandax VS smoke for airflow studies, leakage testing, original source: http://www.firesys.com.au/Bjornax%20brandax%20vs%20msd.pdf, producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • Datax "pure smoke" generator for airflow studies & leakage testing, original source:
    http://www.firesys.com.au/Bjornax%20pure%20datax%20msd.pdf, producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • Dräger MSDS for Dräger CH25301 Air Current Tubes, Page 1 of 2.
    Dräger MSDS for Dräger CH25301 Air Current Tubes, Page 2 of 2.
    Watch out: the Dräger air current tube or "smoke tube" # CH16631 produces a sulfuric acid gas sulfuric acid H2SO4 /SO3 that is dangerous to life and is highly corrosive. Take a look at our copy of the Dräger MSDS for their CH25301 Air Current Tubes. We stored this MSDS in the box with the rubber bulb and tube cutter provided by Dräger. These air current monitoring tubes are provided with rubber caps so that the tube can be "stopped" or shut down when not in use. But the sulfuric acid was so corrosive that it not only caused the rubbger caps to disintegrate, it actually "burned" or oxidized our copy of the MSDS paper form!
  • FP-Smoke, powder smoke for airflow studies, leakage tests, BJÖRNAX AB,. STRÅSSA FÖRETAGSBY, S-711 77 STRÅSSA SWEDEN, web search 08/31/2010, original source: http://www.bjornax.com/MSDS/MSDS_fp_smoke.pdf
  • Gastec Irritant Smoke Qualitative Fit Testing Kit No. 9501 four-pages of 30 safety warnings for respirator fit test
  • Gastec Irritant Smoke Qualitative Fit Testing Kit No. 9501 MSDS (Nextteq Corporation copy)
  • Miniax white smoke MSDS (by Fire System Services)
  • Powder-Puff smoke powder (manufacturer ID TBD) silica powder puffer
  • Pure-AX:3 & Pure-AX:9 "pure smoke" generators for airflow studies, leakage tests, original source: http://www.firesys.com.au/Bjornax%20pure%20AX3%20AX9%20msd.pdf, producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • Regin HVAC Products, 203-323-0115, and Regin Products for Heating, Air Conditioning, & Special Effects, Regin HVAC Products, Inc. 315 Riggs Street, Unit 1 Oxford, CT 06478 USA, Tel: (203) 881-2600 or (800) 394-2739 [6]
  • Splintax Smoke Match, original source: http://www.firesys.com.au/Bjornax%20splintax%20msd.pdf, producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • Smoke Check: canned smoke for smoke detector testing, HSI Fire & Safety Group, web search 08/31/2010, original source: http://inspectusa.com/HSI/MSDS/MSDS_25s_smoke_check.pdf - see the warnings!
  • Smoke Powder - AX-Powder Smoke, original source: http://www.firesys.com.au/Bjornax%20ax%20smoke%20powder%20msd.pdf, producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • FP-Smoke, powder smoke for airflow studies, leakage tests, BJÖRNAX AB,. STRÅSSA FÖR
  • producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • FP-Smoke, powder smoke for airflow studies, leakage tests, BJÖRNAX AB,. STRÅSSA FÖR
  • Smoke Stick (smoke pen) for airflow studies, original source: http://www.firesys.com.au/Bjornax%20smoke%20pen%20msd.pdf, producer BJÖRNAX AB
  • Smoke pencil MSDS: Super Fog Fluid water based fogging fluid, web search 08/31/2010, original source: http://www.smokepencil.com/ an example of a food-grade glycol/glycerine-based fogging fluid that appears low in risk, distributed by The ChimneyBalloon
  • Smoke Pen MSDS: BJÖRNAX AB,. STRÅSSA FÖRETAGSBY, S-711 77 STRÅSSA SWEDEN, original source: http://www.bjornax.com/ ISO 14001 Certified with 30 minute burn time per wick.
  • Titanium tetrachloride smoke emitter bottles (manufacturer ID TBD), web search 08/31/2010, original source: http://inspectusa.com/smoke_candles/SmokeBottles-MSDS.pdf Note: this supplier appears to have cut off the page top of the MSDS that may contain manufacturer ID. Hydrogen chloride gas (HCL)
  • Titanium tetrachloride MSDS, Sciencelab.com, 14025 Smith Rd., Houston TX 77396, 800-901-7247, webseach 08/31/2010, original source: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9925270
  • Ventilax smoke emitter for air flow studies (by Fire System Services), producer: BJÖRNAX, riginal source: http://www.firesys.com.au/Bjornax%20ventilax%20msd.pdf

The link to the original Q&A article in PDF form immediately below is the original article that has since been replaced by an expanded/updated online version of this article (found above).

  • Q&A on buying Smoke Pencils or smoke guns for air leak testing - PDF version, Use your browser's back button to return to this page

The question-and-answer article below paraphrases, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article, (see links just above) from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about smoke guns, smoke pencils, smoke pens and similar test equipment used to check HVAC systems, heat exchangers, and building air leaks or air movement

Question: The Regin Smoke Pen for home use

Do you have information on the Regin Smoke Pen S220? This is for home use. - Thanks. K.N.

Reply:

Sure K. The Regin smoke pen is produced by BJORNAX AB in Sweden and is intended for use in tracing air movement such as in HVAC systems or, used with some expertise, possibly in tracing air leaks in buildings. The pen incorporates a stearic acid wick that is lit by a match or cigarette lighter and extinguished by replacing the pen cap.

We haven't tested the product but from Regin's product literature and photographs it seems that the trace smoke emitted by the pen is suitable for checking direction of air movement such as we discuss in these InspectAPedia articles and useful for checking for air leaks at HVAC systems as well as checking the direction of air flow at building openings, cracks or leaks.

No smoke emitting device is intended to provide a wide-area general building survey for heat loss. For that you'd need to look at IR and similar approaches (HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be) using thermography and at blower door tests (BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION). Also see THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS for a guide to visual clues that point to air movement in buildings.

Here is what Regin says about this recently-released test device:

The Smoke-Pen ($39. U.S.D.) works like a mechanical pencil. A patented smoke-emitting wick is inserted into the convenient to use pen, adjust the wick to provide 3/8” of exposed wick, light the wick with a match or lighter. The smoke pen will provide a continuous trail of smoke. The Smoke-Pen can be easily extinguished by simply replacing the protective cover. The Smoke-Pen can now be stored and re-used for the next test. The smoke and the wick itself are non-toxic, with no shipping regulations. This cool burning, non-toxic emitter is ideal for air balancing, verifying ventilations, testing smoke alarms, test for negative or positive air pressure. [6]

Like other responsible manufacturers of test equipment, Regan, thorugh their website, provide an MSDS sheet for the smoke pen explaining that the active ingredient is stearic acid. The product is described by Regan as non-toxic. The MSDS warns of eye and inhalation exposures: "Prolonged exposure or misuse can cause irritation."

The Smoke Pen™ by Regan also includes safety advice that in our OPINION was written by lawyers but that is unlikely to describe a problem encountered by most users:

At improper ventilation use a particle filter mask class P2. All kinds of generated smoke consists of solid or liquid particles, why it is recommended to use a particle mask at longer participation in smoke filled rooms.  [6] [7]

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about choosing, buying, & using smoke pens, smoke pencils and related HVAC and building air movement test tools.

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Technical Reviewers & References

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  • InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
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  • Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
  Find Heat Loss & Air Leaks
  Heat Loss Investigation Sequence
  Blower Door Test Data Results
  Smoke Gun for Air Leaks
  Smoke Pencil / Smoke Gun Suppliers
  Attic Energy Losses - InfraRed
  Basement Energy Losses- IR & Visual
  Duct System Air Movement
  Living Space Heat Loss
  Targets & Hidden Leak Points
  Thermography IR Infra Red & Thermal Scanners
  Convective Loops & Thermal Bypass Leaks
  HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be
  Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
  The Bottom Line on Energy Retrofits

  • Solar Age Magazine was the official publication of the American Solar Energy Society. The contemporary solar energy magazine associated with the Society is Solar Today. "Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Our mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. We advance education, research and policy. Leading for more than 50 years. ASES leads national efforts to increase the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. We publish the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, organize and present the ASES National Solar Conference and lead the ASES National Solar Tour – the largest grassroots solar event in the world."
  • Steven Bliss served as editorial director and co-publisher of The Journal of Light Construction for 16 years and previously as building technology editor for Progressive Builder and Solar Age magazines. He worked in the building trades as a carpenter and design/build contractor for more than ten years and holds a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Excerpts from his recent book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Wiley (November 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, appear throughout this website, with permission and courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Best Practices Guide is available from the publisher, J. Wiley & Sons, and also at Amazon.com.
    Excerpts with updates and annotations expanding the original Best Practices Guide text can be found in the online review and book summary at BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE and also at DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION, at INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE, and in other articles found at InspectAPedia.com such as HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS, SOUND CONTROL in buildings, and other topics.
  • GASES, EXPOSURE, TESTING Toxic Gas Exposure Hazards and Test Protocols including links to our toxic gas exposure screening and gas testing protocols.
  • Ice Dam Leaks in building attics and roof cavities, how to inspect for evidence of leaks, identify causes, and correct bad attic ventilation, improper roof venting, and these causes of attic mold or roof structure damage

  • Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment, the New Australian Standard, What does it Mean for Owners, Occupiers, and Servivce Providers, White Paper, Australian Standard AS1851:2005, original source: http://www.firesys.com.au/AS1851WhitePaper.pdf, Fire Protection Association, Australia, Steven Kip, Warrington Fire Research
  • Björnax AB, Stråssa Företagsby, 71177 Stråssa Sweden, Tel: +46 (0)581 431 50, Fax: +46 (0)581 432 06, Website: http://www.bjornax.se
  • National Draeger, PO Box 120, Pittsburgh PA 15230 - 412-787-8383, - 866-905-9793
    Website: http://www.buydraegersafety.com/
  • Nextteq LLC., 8406 Benjamin Rd. Suite J.,, Tampa FL 33634 USA, 877-312-2333, 877-312-2444 website: www.nextteq.com email: info@nextteq.com.
    Nextteq MSDS for the Nextteq Irritant Smoke Tube Kit (using Gastec Irritant Smoke Tubes P/N 9500), using Stannic Chloride (CAS No. 7646-78-8, UN No. 1827), air flow indicator tube, irritatant smoke generator
  • Fire System Services, Unit 1, 16 Glasgow Street, Wingfield, South Australia 5013, Mail to: P.O. Box 16, Prospect SA 5082, Tel: +61 8 8445 6300, Website: http://www.firesys.com.au/, Fire System Services distributes a wide range of smoke emitters used for monitoring air movement patterns or testing smoke detectors (and other fire protection or fire extinguisher related equipment) including the Miniax, Ventilax, Brandax, Datax, white smoke emitter candles discussed above, and coloured smoke emitters such as their AAX18, AX60, and Brandax KSO.
  • The Chimney Balloon LLC, 2123 N Pontiac Drive, Janesville, WI 53545, Tel: (608) 467-0229 M-F 9am - 5:00pm (CST), distributes smoke pencils at www.smokepencil.com
  • [6] Regin Products for Heating, Air Conditioning, & Special Effects, Regin HVAC Products, Inc. 315 Riggs Street, Unit 1 Oxford, CT 06478 USA, Tel: (203) 881-2600 or (800) 394-2739, web search 11/30/2011, original source: http://www.regin.com Comment from the company's website:
    REGIN HVAC Products are exclusive distributor of smoke cartridges manufactured by company BJORNAX AB in Sweden, one of the worlds largest manufacturer of smoke products for technical purposes, and with the increasing emphasis on environmental and safety issues, their products are finding an ever-widening range of applications such as: Leak testing of duct-work, pipelines, heat-exchanges, tanks etc. Study make up and exhaust air systems, smoke stacks, chimneys etc. Air balancing from grills, draft in fume hoods, negative air pressure testing, equipment testing, HEPA filter testing, smoke alarms, fire drills, film and photography and much more.
  • [7] MSDS Sheet for the Regan Smoke Pen™, web search 11/30/11, original source: http://www.regin.com/MSDS/MSDSSmokePen.pdf (also available fdrom InspectAPedia.com by request)
  • Sampling for gases in air such as VOC's, MVOC's, toxic chemicals, and combustion products.
    Unfortunately no single test or tool can detect all possible building contaminants. We use methods and equipment which can test for common contaminants. If the identity of a specific contaminant is known in advance we can also test for a very large number of specific contaminant gases in buildings.
    We use gas sampling equipment provided by the two most reliable companies in the world, Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro� bellows pump, the Gastec� cylinder pump and detector-tube system produced by Gastec or Sensidyne, and we also use Sensidyne's Gilian air pump. For broad screening for combustibles and a number of other toxic gases and for leak tracing we also use Amprobe's Tif8850. All of these instruments, their applications, and sensitivities (minimum detectable limits) for specific gases are described in our Gas Sampling Plan online document.
  • Zefon Corporation, 1-800-282-0073, website: http://www.zefon.com, distributes a wide range of gas testing equipment including Gastec detctector tubes.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
  • Air Pollution Toxicology: APTI Course SI:300, Introduction to Air Pollution Toxicology, US EPA Air Pollution Training Institute, Environmental Research Center, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, Sept. 1993, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/

Gases: Toxic gases, indoor exposure levels, testing, identification

  • A Toxic Gas Testing Plan: A Gas Sampling Plan for Residential and Commercial buildings lists some of the toxic indoor gases for which we test, depending on the building complaint and building conditions
  • CCSP, 2008: Analyses of the effects of global change on human health and welfare and human systems. A Report by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research. [Gamble, J.L. (ed.), K.L. Ebi, F.G. Sussman, T.J. Wilbanks, (Authors)]. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA. Web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://nepis.epa.gov/
  • Gas Exposure Hazard Levels: for Toxic Gas Exposure to Ammonia, Arsine, Arsenic, Bromine, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydride, Ozone - allowable exposure levels and hazard levels
  • Carbon Dioxide Gas Toxicity hazard level, poisoning symptoms, & testing
  • Health Effects of Carbon Dioxide - see "National Advisory Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) for Hazardous Substances; Proposed AEGL Values, Federal Register Document", http://www.epa.gov/EPA-TOX/2002/February/Day-15/t3774.htm note that these are proposed guidelines
  • Carbon Dioxide CO2: Geologic Sequestration Health Effects: "Vulnerability Evaluation Framework for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide [on file as /hazmat/CO2_EPA_VEF-Tech_Doc_072408.pdf ] - ", US EPA, EPA430-R-08-009, July 2008, web search August 2010,original source: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads/VEF-Technical_Document_072408.pdf
  • Carbon Dioxide CO2: Geologic Sequestration, U.S EPA, web search 08/28/2010, original source:
    http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2_gs_tech.html
    • GTSP, 2006: Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geologic Storage: A Core Element of a A Global
      Energy Technology Strategy to Address Climate Change (PDF, 37 pp., 6.05 MB, About PDF).
      April 2006, JJ Dooley et al. Global Energy Technology Strategy Program (GSTP)
    • IPCC, 2005: Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage, Special Report of the
      Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Metz, Bert, Davidson, Ogunlade,
      de Coninck, Heleen, Loos, Manuela, and Meyer, Leo (Eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, The
      Edinburgh Building Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 2RU England
  • Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity hazard levels, poisoning symptoms, & testing
  • Fluorine, Its Compounds, and Air Pollution,: a Bibliography with Abstracts, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, December 1976. Web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://nepis.epa.gov.
    NOTE: because the EPA's original source of this document in PDF format is damaged we have created a text image file, converted to a new PDF for readability.
  • Formaldehyde: US EPA. UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) was previously considered a hazard (formaldehyde outgassing). Subsequent research virtually closed concern regarding this material; however formaldehyde appears to remain a health concern for sensitive individuals.
  • Greenhouse Gas Overview: Carbon Dioxide: U.S. EPA, web search 08/28/2010, original source:
    http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2.html
  • Nitrogen Oxides: Air Quality Criteria for Oxides of Nitrogen, Vol III of III, US EPA, EPA600/8-91/049cF, August 1993, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://nepis.epa.gov [Large PDF 25MB]
    Key chapters in this document evaluate the latest scientific data on (a) health effects of NOx measured ill laboratory animals and exposed human populatIOns and (b) effects of NOx on agricultural crops, forests, and ecosystems, as well as (c) NOx effects on visibility and nonbiological materials. Other chapters describe the nature, sources, distribution, measurement, and concentratiOns of NOx m the environment These chapters were prepared and peer reviwed by experts from various state and Federal government offices, academia, and private industry for use by EPA to support decision makIng regarding potentIal risks to public health and the enVIronment Although the document IS not intended to be an exhaustIve literature reVIew, It IS intended to cover all the pertinent literature through early 1993
  • Ozone Warnings - New Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
  • Sampling for gases in air such as VOC's, MVOC's, toxic chemicals, and combustion products.
    Unfortunately no single test or tool can detect all possible building contaminants. We use methods and equipment which can test for common contaminants. If the identity of a specific contaminant is known in advance we can also test for a very large number of specific contaminant gases in buildings.
    We use gas sampling equipment provided by the two most reliable companies in the world, Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro� bellows pump, the Gastec� cylinder pump and detector-tube system produced by Gastec or Sensidyne, and we also use Sensidyne's Gilian air pump. For broad screening for combustibles and a number of other toxic gases and for leak tracing we also use Amprobe's Tif8850. All of these instruments, their applications, and sensitivities (minimum detectable limits) for specific gases are described in our Gas Sampling Plan online document.
  • Sulfur dioxide & other Oxides: Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter and Sulfur Oxides, Vol. III, US EPA, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Research Triangle Park NC 27711, Dec. 1982, EPA-600/8/2-029c. Web search 08/26/2010, original source: http://nepis.epa.gov [large PDF]
  • Radon Gas U.S. EPA Radon level maps, web search 2005, original source: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/zonemap/zmapp33.htm
  • "Table Z-1 Limits for Air Contaminants, 1910.1000 Table Z-1" OSHA standard for air contaminant limits (http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9992) - includes for CO2, Carbon dioxide.........| CAS No. 124-38-9 | 5000 ppm | 9000 mg/m3 limits for carbon dioxide as an air contaminant.
  • GASES, EXPOSURE, TESTING Toxic Gas Exposure Hazards and Test Protocols including links to our toxic gas exposure screening and gas testing protocols.
  • ...
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