Diagnostic Tools and References

We at CITS will continue to invest in the most technologically advanced instrumentation and professional, up-to-date references available, so that we may best serve our clients.
Knowledge, Experience, Certifications and our own senses are our primary tools.

The documents listed below are the industry recognized standards and protocols for
indoor environmental assessments, remediation and acceptable indoor air quality in the United States of America. Review our references

The Direct Sense IAQ (indoor air quality monitor), the DirectAir (air velocity meter) and the DirectSense TOX (toxic gas monitor) by GrayWolf Sensing Solutions
harnesses leading-edge sensor technology with the power and performance of mobile computing. This is the exact same equipment used by NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, Dominion Power, the Defense General Supply Center and Virginia Tech University for
performing advanced environmental measurements. Accurate fast response sensors
allow data to be displayed in real time measurements (perfect for quick walk-through
surveys) or logged at time intervals for long term trending. GrayWolf probes and software are the ultimate in precision for identification and documentation of indoor environmental conditions.

The ARTI HHPC-6 (Art Instrument Inc., handheld airborne particulate counter/6 channels/.3-5 microns) is an intelligent, portable and robust instrument for measuring, counting, storing and reporting airborne particulates utilizing an index guided Class 1
Laser. The HHPC-6 provides the means to monitor the air quality in offices, residences, clean rooms, manufacturing processes and pharmaceutical production by counting
individual particles in specific size ranges typically measured in microns (a human hair is 125-150 microns in diameter). The HHPC-6 is a state of the art instrument to provide quantitative data to investigate and monitor indoor air quality for residential or commercial properties. This unit is calibrated for particulates that are inhalable and respirable (able to invade the respiratory tract).

The Protimeter Moisture Measurement System (MMS) is a powerful and versatile
instrument for measuring and diagnosing dampness in buildings and building materials. This instrument allows us to precisely measure moisture levels of building elements such as walls, floors, and building environments. We can also obtain percent moisture content (% MC) values in wood and check suspect areas for wood moisture equivalent
(WME) values. Surface dew points can be determined to assess condensation problems.

The FLIR Therma CAM™ E65 IR (infrared) Camera measures and images the emitted infrared radiation from an object. The fact that radiation is a function of object surface
temperature makes it possible for the camera to calculate and display the temperature of any area. The Therma CAM™ E65 offers a non-invasive means of monitoring and
diagnosing the condition of buildings. It provides immediate documentation of as-built or post-restoration quality, post-casualty cause and origin data, plumbing and building
envelope water leakage, post-flood and fire water damaged material assessment, energy use inefficiency, and roofing problems. FLIR is the undisputed world leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of thermal imaging and stabilized camera systems for a wide range of thermography and imaging applications. These include condition
monitoring, airborne observation and targeting, research and development, search and rescue, drug interdiction, surveillance and reconnaissance, navigation, border and
maritime safety and patrol, environmental monitoring and land based security.

The Certified Mold Detection Canine (CMDC) was trained by world renowned Master Trainer, Bill Whitstine, owner of the Florida Canine Academy (which trains bomb, drug, money, weapons, termite, mold and accelerant detection canine teams). Her name is "Belle"; she is a beautiful, 2 year old beagle. Mold-detecting canines are trained to
discriminate scents of various types of microbial colonies in a variety of structures. If the CMDC finds mold, the CMDC will alert the handler to the precise location; accuracy is
approximately 95%. The mold-detecting canines receive more than 1000 hours of training and are proficient in their duties before the prospective handler arrives at the Academy. The CMDC and handler are then paired and trained together for a minimum of 40 hours. At the end of the course, the Certified Master Trainer verifies that each canine team is
capable of discriminating scents of fungal reservoirs and issues certifications.
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The portable AC/DC IAQ Sample Pump by Environmental Monitoring Systems (EMS) is designed to accommodate numerous sampling situations. (area, wall, carpet, etc)
The pump draws a precise volume of air (5 to 22 liters per minute (LPM) which is adjusted to the desired volume (depending on the test being performed) by means of a built-in
rotameter. There is also a built-in timer that allows the technician to establish the duration of the sampling being performed. We use the EMS pump primarily to collect countable, non-viable air samples using Zefon Air-O-Cell™ cassettes, which capture mold spores, pollen, and other airborne particulates by inertial impaction of the particles onto a glass slide that can be identified (genera not species) and counted via microscope (600x) at the laboratory. The results are reported in spores per cubic meter (spores/m3).

The portable DC IAQ High Volume Sample Pump by Environmental Monitoring
Systems (EMS) is designed to draw a precise volume of air (3 to 30 liters per minute (LPM) which is adjusted to the desired volume (depending on the test being performed) by means of a built-in rotameter. There is also a built-in timer that allows the technician to
establish the duration of the sampling being performed. We use the EMS pump primarily to collect culturable air samples using EmLab BioCassette™ agar plates which capture mold spores, bacteria, pollen and other airborne particulates by inertial impaction of the particles onto a media that can be grown (cultured), identified (aspeciated) and counted via microscope at the laboratory. The results are reported in colony forming units per cubic meter (cfu/m3).

The Bios DryCal DC-Lite is a field portable primary flow calibrator that is used for industrial hygiene, environmental and laboratory measurement applications. The DC-Lite is a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) primary calibration standard that uses patented dry piston technology and infrared sensors to obtain volumetric flow rates quickly and accurately. We use the DC-Lite to precisely calibrate our rotameters prior to every sampling/testing protocol, thus insuring that all data is accurate and defensible (for arbitration and/or litigation).