Method and apparatus for monitoring and ensuring air quality in a building

A method for handling the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space in a building having an air exchange system, said method comprising:

• providing apparatus for transforming the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space in a building into the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space in a building, said apparatus comprising:
• a housing for mounting to a surface of the higher air exchange rate space in the building;
• an air inlet formed in said housing;
• at least one air outlet formed in said housing;
• a passageway extending through said housing and connecting said air inlet to said at least one air outlet;
• a circulation fan disposed in said passageway so as to draw the ambient air of the higher air exchange rate space into said air inlet, through said passageway, and return that air to the higher air exchange rate space through said at least one air outlet;
• and
• a filter disposed in said passageway for purging non-particulate hazardous chemicals from the ambient air passing through said passageway;
• positioning said apparatus in the higher air exchange rate space, and operating said apparatus so as to transform the air exchange load of the higher air exchange rate space into the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space;
• and
• operating the air exchange system of the building so as to provide a lower air exchange rate to the higher air exchange rate space.

Apparatus for transforming the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space in a building into the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space in a building, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing for mounting to a surface of the higher air exchange rate space in the building;
• an air inlet formed in said housing;
• at least one air outlet formed in said housing;
• a passageway extending through said housing and connecting said air inlet to said at least one air outlet;
• a circulation fan disposed in said passageway so as to draw the ambient air of the higher air exchange rate space into said air inlet, through said passageway, and return that air to the higher air exchange rate space through said at least one air outlet;
• a filter disposed in said passageway for purging non-particulate hazardous chemicals from the ambient air passing through said passageway, whereby to transform the air exchange load of the higher air exchange rate space into the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space;
• at least one sensor for monitoring proper function of at least one of said fan and said filter;
• and
• means for connecting said at least one sensor to a master air control system of the building, such that in the event of a malfunction of at least one of said fan and said filter, the master air control system of the building increases the air exchange rate of the higher air exchange rate space.

A method for handling the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space in a building having an air exchange system, said method comprising:

• providing apparatus for transforming the air exchange load of a higher air exchange rate space in a building into the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space in a building, said apparatus comprising:
• a housing for mounting to a surface of the higher air exchange rate space in the building;
• an air inlet formed in said housing;
• at least one air outlet formed in said housing;
• a passageway extending through said housing and connecting said air inlet to said at least one air outlet;
• a circulation fan disposed in said passageway so as to draw the ambient air of the higher air exchange rate space into said air inlet, through said passageway, and return that air to the higher air exchange rate space through said at least one air outlet;
• a filter disposed in said passageway for purging non-particulate hazardous chemicals from the ambient air passing through said passageway;
• at least one sensor for monitoring proper function of at least one of said fan and said filter;
• and
• means for connecting said at least one sensor to a master air control system of the building;
• positioning said apparatus in the higher air exchange rate space, and operating said apparatus so as to transform the air exchange load of the higher air exchange rate space into the air exchange load of a lower air exchange rate space;
• operating the air exchange system of the building so as to provide a lower air exchange rate to the higher air exchange rate space;
• and
• in the event of a malfunction of at least one of said fan and said filter, increasing the air exchange rate of the higher air exchange rate space.