Fluorescent air leakage detection system for enclosures
Provided is a Fluorescent Air Leakage Detection (FALD) system and method for locating a defect in an enclosure that uses a nontoxic fluorescent solution as a marker. The solution is aerosolized with an atomizing device and guided to defects by a gas pressure modifying device. Defects are visually located by surveying the enclosure with an ultraviolet or visible light source and identifying a location where accumulated solution fluoresces.
1. A method for locating a defect in an enclosure of a residential building or a commercial building, the method comprising the steps of:
a. mixing a nontoxic fluorescent material and a liquid solvent into a solution;
b. creating a pressure differential between an interior space and an exterior space of the enclosure with a gas pressure modifying device while aerosolizing the solution in the higher-pressure space with an atomizing device, wherein the aerosolizing generates droplets of solution with aerodynamic diameters of between about 0.15 μm and about 0.30 μm;
c. illuminating the enclosure with a light source that emits wavelengths of light between about 200 nm and about 800 nm; and
d. identifying a defect location where the accumulated solution fluoresces when illuminated with the light source.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid solvent of step a. is water.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the atomizing device of step b. is selected from the group consisting of an atomizer, a nebulizer, a humidifier and an aerosol canister.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas pressure differential creating of step b. is performed by a gas pressure modifying device selected from the group consisting of a compressor, a blower door, an HVAC system and a vacuum pump.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein step b. is performed for at least 10 minutes.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the illuminating step c. includes using a notch filter to reduce background spectra emissions.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the nontoxic fluorescent material of mixing step a. is selected from the group consisting of B vitamin, quinine, essential oils, and olive oil.