Shielded University Offices In Biomedical Research Building

In December 2001, VitaTech Engineering was contacted by the State University of New York (SUNY) to record and analyze AC extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields emanating into office spaces in a Biomedical Research Building in Buffalo, New York.

Presented are the Biomedical Research Center floor and 1- meter peak and average magnetic flux density levels as recorded in the contour surveys of Office 143, Office 145, Office 147, and hallway:

Locations On Floor Peak Floor Avg. 1-Meter Peak 1-Meter Avg.
Office 143 7.4 mG 3.93 mG 3.6 mG 2.14 mG
Office 145 27.7 mG 19.3 mG 11.7 mG 8.29 mG
Office 147 114 mG 71.8 mG 27.6 mG 20.6 mG
Hallway     12.1 mG 4.45 mG

 

Field levels were also recorded directly inside the Main Electrical Room (transformer & switchgear) which were as follows:

Location 1-Meter Peak 1-Meter Avg.
Main Electrical Room 484 mG 81.9 mG

 

On 4 June 2002, VitaTech Engineering was contracted by a New York State University to design, install, test and certify a AC ELF magnetic shield. Between August 1st and August 3rd, VitaTech installed a 1280 sq.ft. dual-substrate shield. Low (0.1-9.99 mG), elevated (10-99 mG), and high (100-140 mG) AC ELF magnetic field emissions that emanated into three offices located above an electrical switchgear & transformer vault were shielded to reduce the magnetic fields to acceptable levels.

 

Project Data

Before Shield Site Survey 3-D Contour Plot of Site Before AC ELF Magnetic Shield Installed

After Shield Site Survey
3-D Contour Plot of Site After AC ELF Magnetic Shield Installed

 

Slideshow

 

Magnetic Shield Images

Before Shield
1,280 square-foot dual-substrate shield consisted of three adjacent university offices located directly above a switchgear/transformer room.

 

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After Shield
The windows were left untreated but still maintained an acceptable rate of decay from the switchgear room below. The installed shield complied with and exceeded the performance guarantee of 5 mG