Human errors also occur, especially when regular staff are out and temporary staff unfamiliar with the system are filling in. Both operations occur at the air handler. For humidification, water is atomized and introduced into the air stream near the discharge of the air handler. For dehumidification, the cooling coil condenses the water in the air as it passes over the coil, similar to the way water condenses on a can of soda on a hot day. As the warm air is cooled by coming in contact with the cold coil, the water in the air condenses on the coil and is drained away.
Humidity is set centrally and is designed to be uniform throughout the floor.
However, there is currently not an appropriate sensor for humidity on the first floor, and instead humidity has been controlled by a computer program installed by the contractor which has allowed humidity to change rapidly, and has allowed it to range too low. This is being addressed. The humidity control will be installed in the center of room 101, which has the least interference from outside air. The system will then adjust the humidity for the floor to match the conditions in room 101, which should result in greater stability. As air returns from all spaces to the central air handler, smells can be picked up, but the discharge of air to the outside should dilute the smell considerably and distribute it evenly throughout the system.