[padg] RE: Water monitors

["Cybulski, Walter (NIH/NLM) [E]" <Cybulskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Lene:

 

There are a number of options for water detection, any of which can only make sense in relation to the specific application you have in mind.

 

In NLM’s offsite film storage vaults a sub-floor water detection system is hard-wired to a central guard station that is operational around the clock.

 

In our on-site film and tape storage vault and associated HVAC mechanical room there is a moisture detection cable – likewise connected to a central location where NIH campus building engineers are alerted to water intrusion into the space.  It also has an audible alarm that alerts staff who are working in the area.  We have floor-mounted detection devices in other mechanical rooms (wired to the building engineer panel).

 

Bathrooms are difficult to monitor – we have floor-mounted devices positioned near doorways, theoretically to detect a water build-up on its way out into collection storage areas.  The Library also wisely invested in the installation of floor drains in the bathrooms.  Some experts recommend placement of alarms in catch basins directly below sink water feeds (same strategy for drip pans in room air conditioners if you have those in offices adjacent to collection storage areas).

 

Battery operated alarms work if you remember to change the batteries.  Alarms that are wired to central monitoring systems provide the greatest degree of assurance, particularly if the alarm goes to a location where there is round-the-clock coverage.

 

Distribution and placement of water detection devices in large collection storage areas is best left to someone who has appropriate expertise.   Many devices and configurations are available.

 

Not as an endorsement, but by way of example, see the following:

 

            http://www.etracetek.com/gaftracetek/reliability.htm

 

            http://www.dorlenproducts.com/water.htm

 

            http://www.rletech.com/pdf/ldconfigguideweb.pdf

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

- Walter Cybulski

National Library of Medicine

cybulskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

From: lenep@xxxxxxx [mailto:lenep@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 4:39 PM
To: padg@xxxxxxx
Subject: [padg] Water monitors

 

Hello all,

I've not seen much on PADG about water monitors during the last few years and would appreciate some input from others who have these devices or who are thinking of installing them.  George Mason University in Virginia does not have any, and we're thinking of installing a few.  The questions I have are the following:

1. Are there any particular brands you would recommend?
2. Do you recommend a hard wired device or a battery operated one?  Why would you recommend either?
3. Does the placement of the room/area you want to monitor matter?  In other words, does it matter if the area is in the basement, on the first or upper floors?We've had both flooding on the floor from heavy downpours and instances of leaks from the roof or from pipes in the ceiling. 
4. Are there different devices that are more suited for one type of wetness than the other or is it the placement of the monitor that is the important consideration?
5. What to look for in staff notification systems?
6. What else to look for

Since we don't have any of these devices, there may be several other questions I've not thought to ask, so I'll appreciate any input or information you might give me.

If you respond directly to me I will summarize and report back to the list as I'm sure I'm not the only one to have these questions, and I've always valued the responses from others on various topics.

Thank you.

Best regards,
Lene Palmer

Collection Development and Preservation Librarian

Fenwick Library 2FL

George Mason University

4400 University Drive

Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-993-2667

Email: lenep@xxxxxxx