A Differential Pressure Sensor monitors the air pressure of an Isolation Room or Clean Room by measuring the pressure inside and outside of a room.
The following provides an overview of how a Differential Pressure Sensor is installed and configured, which varies by type of room you are monitoring and where the sensor is installed.
Isolation rooms: Emergency Department, Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR)
Isolation Room maintains a lower (negative) pressure than that of the surrounding area (Reference Space)
Pressure inside the room is negative
Keeps harmful contaminants (viruses, small particles, bacteria) inside the room when a door opens
Prevents contaminated particles in Isolation Room (Controlled Space) from spreading into the surrounding areas (Reference Space)
Configure Sensor Normal Condition (acceptable pressure range)
Negative -0.01
Reading excursion alarm: zero (0) or positive reading
From inside the Isolation Room, allows staff to view the current pressure reading.
Sensor ports: tube connected to Low (L) port, High (H) Port open to Controlled Space
Clean Rooms: Operating Room, Protected Environment (PE) Room
Clean Room maintains a higher (positive) pressure than that of the surrounding area (Reference Space)
Pressure inside the room is positive
Pushes air out from room when the door opens
Prevents contaminated particles in surrounding areas (Reference Space) from spreading into Clean Room (Controlled Space)
Configure Sensor Normal Condition (acceptable pressure range)
Positive +0.010
Reading excursion alarm: a zero (0) or negative reading
From inside the Clean Room, allows staff to view the current pressure reading. For example, staff is required to verify the reading is positive prior to performing a procedure.
Sensor ports: tube connected to Low (L) port, High (H) Port open to Controlled Space
From the Reference Space, allows staff to view the current pressure reading inside of the Clean Room (Controlled Space). For example, staff is required to verify positive pressure before entering the room.
Sensor ports: tube connected to High (H) port, Low (L) port is open to Reference Space.
