Types of Room Pressure Control
Negative Pressure Monitoring System
Negative pressure rooms are commonly used in healthcare facilities such as hospital isolation wards. In these rooms, the internal air pressure is maintained lower than the surrounding areas. This pressure difference ensures that airborne contaminants such as bacteria or viruses remain contained within the room.
Because the room pressure is lower, air naturally flows from the outside into the room, preventing contaminated air from escaping to other areas of the facility. This is essential for controlling infections and protecting hospital staff and other patients.
Westcal’s monitoring system continuously measures the pressure differential between the isolation room and adjacent spaces. The system displays the pressure values in real time on the control panel. If the pressure difference falls outside the predefined safe limits, the system automatically triggers an alert.
Multiple alert options can be integrated, including:
- Phone call notifications
- SMS alerts
- Local audible alarms with flashing indicator lights
These alerts allow facility staff to respond immediately if the pressure conditions are compromised.
Differential Pressure Sensors
Both negative pressure and positive pressure monitoring systems operate using differential pressure sensors. These sensors measure the difference in air pressure between two locations.
The same type of sensor can be used for either system; the only variation lies in the configured pressure thresholds and alarm settings. These sensors provide accurate and continuous monitoring of pressure differences, ensuring that controlled environments maintain their required conditions.
Positive Pressure Monitoring for Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD)
Positive pressure rooms are required in areas where sterile conditions must be maintained, such as the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) in hospitals. This department stores and handles sterile medical instruments, so preventing contamination is critical.
In a positive pressure environment, the air pressure inside the room is maintained higher than in the surrounding corridors or adjacent spaces. This ensures that air flows from the clean room outward, preventing contaminated air from entering the sterile area.
If the pressure inside the CSSD room drops and approaches the pressure level of the surrounding areas, it indicates a potential contamination risk and an alarm condition.
Westcal’s monitoring system continuously tracks the pressure levels and automatically generates alerts through phone calls, SMS notifications, and local alarms whenever the pressure falls outside the set range.
For example:
If the corridor pressure is 101 kPa, the CSSD room may be maintained at 105 kPa. If the CSSD pressure drops to 102 kPa, the system will immediately trigger an alert to notify the responsible personnel.
