How healthy is your air?

At L.J. Barton Mechanical, we’re experts in indoor air quality.  Did you know that asthma, allergies and other respiratory illnesses can be caused by hazardous substances in the air we breathe?  The need for clean air in Canadian homes cannot be overstated.

Canadians spend an average of 90% of their time inside

Your home contains many substances that may be hazardous to your health. Indoor air pollutants range from minor irritants such as dust and animal dander, to dangerous irritants such as molds and chemical vapours that may be emitted from building materials and furnishings.

That’s where the leading-edge and innovative technology of Canary Air Quality Assurance comes in.  Best of all, we do all the work for you!  L.J. Barton Mechanical has partnered with Canary Air Quality Assurance to provide professional, indoor air quality monitoring services for homeowners. Using the Canary innovative and proprietary equipment, we’ll be able to scientifically monitor, analyze and issue a report along with recommendations for homeowners in South-Western Ontario.

Download: Is the air in your home making your family sick?

The research and development experts at Canary have created the first advanced air monitoring system that is both affordable and reliable. The compact and unobtrusive device simultaneously monitors 6 key parameters for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) for a time frame that we determine together, and at an interval that we choose. The service is quick, simple, and affords residents the peace of mind they need when it comes to their family’s respiratory health.

The 6 parameters monitored are Temperature, Humidity, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Particulate Matter, and VOCs.

Parameter 1: Temperature
We certainly know the effects on our comfort when temperatures are too high or too low. Temperature also plays a role in determining the humidity level in the space. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), The CSA Standard, and the National Research Council of Canada recommend that temperatures be maintained between 20.5 – 25.5C in the winter (30% Relative Humidity) and 24.5 – 28C in the summer (30% Relative Humidity).

Parameter 2: Humidity
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. Relative Humidity (RH) is the percentage of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture that the air can hold at a given temperature. It is recommended that RH levels be maintained between 30-60%. Levels below this can result in dry eyes, throat, skin or cracked lips. It can also cause irritation of mucous membranes leaving occupants uncomfortable and more susceptible to illness. If the RH is too high, it contributes to the growth of molds, dust mites, other allergens, and disease organisms such as bacteria.

Parameter 3: Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a colourless, odourless gas produced by normal life processes and when fuel is burned. Outdoor levels of CO2 are generally 200-400ppm. ASHRAE recommends maintaining levels not more that 700ppm above this. It is accepted that levels below 1000ppm are ideal. Exposure to levels above this can cause headaches, tiredness and stuffiness.

Parameter 4: Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless toxic gas that is the product of incomplete combustion from burning fossil fuels or wood. Normal levels of CO are 0-2ppm, with less than 10ppm being the maximum exposure over an eight hour period. Symptoms of elevated CO exposure are headaches, nausea, dizziness, and tiredness. Extremely high exposure can result in death within 1-3 minutes.

Parameter 5: Particulate Matter
Particulates (PM) are small amounts of liquid or solid contaminants that are suspended in the air, most of which are not visible to the naked eye. The Canary monitor detects particles ranging from .7 to 15 microns in size. This includes fragments of pollen and mold spores, dust mite allergen, pet dander, bacteria and fine dust. Excessive particulate levels can cause allergic reactions such as dry eyes, nose, and throat and skin irritation, coughing, sneezing, and respiratory difficulty. Particulate levels less then 10 ug/m3 are considered ideal. Levels of 10-50 ug/m3 are acceptable. With levels above 50 being considered unacceptable.

Parameter 6: Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are carbon based chemicals that turn to a gas state at room temperature. Thousands of potential gases could be present in the air, each with their own characteristics and risks. VOCs can be released from building materials, finishes and furniture, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, and office supplies including some printers and copiers. Canary measures the TVOCs, which is the total of all VOCs present in the air. Some symptoms of TVOC exposure include fatigue, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, and skin and eye irritation. Ideal levels of TVOCs are less than .2ppm, acceptable levels range from .2 to 1ppm. Levels above 1ppm are unacceptable.

Our 5-Step Process
L.J. Barton Mechanical uses a 5-step process to test your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) at home:

Step One: Determine your specific needs and concerns
Step Two:  Placement of the Canary Air Quality Assurance monitor
Step Three: Perform IAQ walk-through
Step Four: Removal of monitor and upload of data
Step Five: Report of findings and recommendations

Step One: Determine your specific needs and concerns
The size, number of stories, and layout of your home will determine the number of locations required to be monitored, as well as any particular areas of concern.

Step Two: Placement of the Canary Air Quality Assurance monitor
The Canary Air Quality Assurance monitor is placed in the first location, plugged in and monitoring begins. It is left there for a predetermined amount of time, usually 24 hours, after which it is unplugged and moved to the next location. Once repowered, the monitor recognizes its new place and automatically separates the data from the previous location. This is repeated for all of the predetermined locations.

Step Three: Perform IAQ walk-through
The Canary Air Quality Assurance walk-through is a systematic method of screening for a broad range of potential IAQ problems. The technician uses his own senses and a detailed check list to identify potential issues.  Our technicians attend rigorous training sessions and professional courses which are based on Government guidelines.

Step Four: Removal of monitor and upload of data
After all locations have been screened, the Canary Air Quality Assurance monitor is removed and the data is uploaded to Canary’s website where the proprietary analytical software resides, and where the homeowner’s account has been created.

Step Five: Report of findings and recommendations
The 6 IAQ parameters are graphed and compared against “key performance indicators” derived from current standards, guidelines and practices. This information and observations made during the walk-through are used to generate the final report. The report includes a summary, graphs, review and description of the six parameters as well as recommendations.

The web-based report is made available to you through a username and password, which can also be distributed to family members, property managers, or tenants at your discretion.  And last but not least, insightful newsletters and links are also available to help you stay current with IAQ concerns.

We’re parents too!  We want you to breathe easy – and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your family (and ours) is safe!

Contact us today about installing the Canary Air Quality Assurance monitoring service.  It’s fast, easy and affordable!