Balometer
A Balometer, is a type of airflow meter that resembles an air collection hood, also referred to as an air flow hood. It is used to measure the flow rate of air leaving or entering the ventilation outlet of an airflow system. Some, balometers also measure the atmospheric pressure of a space as well as the temperature and relative humidity of the flowing air.
Balometers contain a grid with many holes called a flow grid and a micro-manometer, this measures the flow and pressure individually and throughout the grid and compares this to the atmospheric pressure in the space. The function in a similar way to air capture hoods that contain an anemometer but tend to be more accurate and are pre-configured to convert a recorded velocity of air into an volumetric measure.
A barometer (not balometer) is also used to measure atmospheric pressure, traditionally though with closed tubes containing mercury. They are often found outside windows measuring outside air pressure to weather predictions, rising air pressure would indicate a good weather forecast whilst falling pressure might forecast rain or bad weather.
See also: Air capture hood.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air capture hood.
- Air conditioning.
- Air infiltration.
- Air permeability testing.
- Air quality.
- Air tightness in buildings.
- Changes to Building Regulations Part F.
- Computational fluid dynamics.
- Condensation.
- Cross ventilation.
- Cultivating Cleaner Air with BSRIA.
- Displacement ventilation.
- Domestic ventilation systems performance
- Draughts in buildings.
- Effective ventilation in buildings.
- Heat recovery ventilation.
- Indoor air quality.
- Mechanical ventilation.
- Natural ventilation.
- Passive building design.
- Stale air.
- UV disinfection of building air to remove harmful bacteria and viruses.
- Ventilation.
Featured articles and news
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.