An Inexpensive System to Monitor Air Flow in Isolation Units

SUMMARY. Isolation units are used extensively for conducting infectious disease research in poultry. By necessity, these units are airtight and receive air only through electrically powered ventilation systems. Therefore, interruptions in electrical service to these units present a serious hazard to the animals they contain. A system was designed to monitor the air flow through isolation units and to alert animal caretakers in the event of any interruption in air flow. The "intelligence" of the system relies on an electronic monitor connected to a telephone line that places alerting telephone calls when it detects loss of air flow to the units. The system is constructed from easily acquired and relatively inexpensive parts and components.