Datalogging - taking the guesswork out of building diagnostics.

Periodic or spot check measurements of indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters leave blanks in a building data profile upon which misleading or incomplete conclusions may be made. It is difficult and unwise to make decisions regarding IAQ diagnostics and corrective actions with limited data. Datalogging fills in the blanks left by periodic measurements to complete the profile thus making it a powerful tool for good building diagnostics. This paper will focus on a discussion of the use of datalogging as an integral part of an IAQ program, on the identification of key diagnostic parameters and a discussion of data interpretation for making effective and economic IAQ decisions. Case studies will be presented comparing the differing conclusions which could be drawn from periodic measurements vs. datalogging in a building space.