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
Discover and contribute to our specialist wiki microsites
Conservation, BIM, Diversity, AONBs and Circularity.
The benefits of breathable external wall insulation
Not just energy efficiency, but also wellbeing.
A systematic approach to conservation.
Delivering on a sustainability policy and action plan
How ECA exceeded its carbon reduction targets.
UKCA and CE marking; changes in detail
Pre and post brexit, now and the future of product certificates.
Construction product certification schemes
The role, background to and types of products certificates.
The construction industry ramps up for the general election
Election manifestos, charters, campaigns and comments.
Collaboration benefits of real-time file synchronisation
Three areas for users to focus on.
Time to recognise construction’s top talent.
Future of Green Skills in Sussex
A report on the incoming Green Skills revolution.
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
The BSRIA Briefing 2024.
When flat roof specification becomes compromised.
Be alert to special features and techniques.
Practising Architect and Director of Sheldon Peever Studio.
Biodiversity net gain, tips and tools for small sites
How to deal with BNG when options become limited.
Registered building inspectors
Building types and conflicts of interest updates explained.
A brief run-down reminder of key points to note.