Moisture Detection is when SMT Research equipment monitors for moisture accumulation in the building enclosure - the walls, roof and foundation of the building, and there is a slow gradual build up of moisture in which over time may cause damage to the building.

Leak Detection is when SMT Research equipment monitors for water intrusion into a space, which could be the building enclosure and roof & envelope, but also could wider spread from leaks from plumbing fixtures and mechanical equipment. In most water leak cases, the water leaks over a very short period of time and the monitoring and reporting occurs in minutes.

No. We can detect the conditions that lead to mold growth - the temperature and moisture content levels of your building wall or roof systems.

Yes. Our equipment and monitoring system were specifically designed taking into account application to existing buildings. The system can be installed to the outside of a building enclosure wall or roof system while performing routine inspection or maintenance - without interruption to the building occupants.

Yes. SMT Research System have be installed by many General Contractors, Communication Contractors, AV, IT companies. The sensors, and hardware systems are delivered configured and ready to install into your building. In certain projects, an SMT representative will commission the entire system, and certify that all is in working order piror to sign off.

SMT Research can provide Turn-Key monitoring solutions – from design and specifications though final commissioning and long term monitoring.

Please contact us with your project details for a free quotation.

“Why not just use a Relative Humidity Sensor (Rh) in an assembly to get the amount of moisture?”

Short Answer: The Rh Sensor measures the relative amount of water vapour in the air around the structure, but NOT what is inside of the structural element itself, such as wood, gypsum, or concrete.

Long Answer: SMT is often required to answer questions about the practical end of monitoring for moisture in assemblies using a variety of sensor classes. Humidity, Temperature, and Moisture Content are but a few tools SMT has as its disposal.

The measurement of Rh is derived from an analysis of the amount of water vapor in the air. This vapor is a gas and is invisible. An increase in relative humidity means that subject to air flow and spatial/thermal dynamics, regional moisture is increasing. As such, when humidity rises, the presence of moisture is likewise increasing and doing so in proximity to the Rh sensor itself.

On the other hand, Moisture Content is a measurement of liquid water in a substrate or on a surface. Water content is generally expressed as a ratio from 8% - 45%.

Typical RH sensors have an upward limit of nearly 99% relative humidity. This means that once the air reaches saturation, the level in which the air can not absorb any more water, also known as the condensation threshold or dew point. When using an Rh sensor for Building Science purposes, the proper placement and use in assemblies that require careful study must be considered. Moisture Content Sensors such as the the SMT Point Moisture Measurement Sensor (PMM) or SMT Embedded Moisture Sensor (EMS) or the SMT Moisture Detection Sensor Tape (MDS) pick up monitoring beyond the 100% Rh air saturation level, and monitor when Moisture Content or Moisture Level in a substance when there is free water or fibre saturation.

The RH sensor when installed for long term monitoring in wet environments may not operate beyond a few months due to such high levels of moisture effecting the electrical sensor. The use of SMT PMM and MDS are required for monitoring structures long term when liquid forms of water are present for the life span of the structure.

WiDAQ: Wireless Precision Data Acquisition Node

BiG: Building Intelligence Gateway

BiSS: Building Intelligence for Sustainable Structures

BiOS: Building Intelligence Organizational Software

MC: Moisture Content

ML: Moisture Level

MDS: Moisture Detection Sensor

PMM: Point Moisture Measurement

EMS: Embedded Moisture Sensor

DMVM: Digital Multivector Mapping

Many of our clients have requested confidentiality, and we respect that. Please contact us if you want references from the building professionals and owners that we have worked with. We'll ask our clients for permission for you to give them a call - and give you full contact information.