Published 2025-11-03

At Arlanda Airport, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) works to ensure that pharmaceuticals and other sensitive goods are stored in the right temperature environments before and after air freight. Temperature mapping in terminals and trailers has helped WFS create stable storage and transportation climates that future-proof cargo handling.

The right temperature can be the difference between effective medicines and unusable goods. The air freight company WFS, which handles pre- and post-transports at Arlanda Airport with great precision, knows this. Its customers are both airlines and freight forwarders. Goods arriving by plane are transported to companies and organizations that have ordered the goods, while freight to be transported by air is collected and delivered to the airport on time.
– Often you don’t know today what will happen tomorrow. It could be someone calling in the morning and saying: “We have 100 pallets that need to be picked up for a cargo flight tonight. Can you do it?” Then you just have to get moving,” says Anders Schedin, Transport Manager at WFS.

Meticulous preparation for shipping

In WFS’s terminal at Arlandastad, extensive and important preparatory work takes place. All incoming goods are x-rayed, labeled and carefully checked. Not least if it involves dangerous goods such as explosives and radioactive goods. About six hours before the flight is due to take off, the goods are transported to WFS’s terminal at Arlanda Airport. The terminal is divided into three zones: an area for ordinary goods, a room with a controlled room temperature of 15-25°C and a refrigerated area that maintains 2-8°C.
Under careful procedures, the goods are passed through the terminal and packed for air transportation. Often, goods are placed on thin aluminum pallets with mesh covers (called ULDs – Unit Load Devices), which are then rolled into the cargo holds of the aircraft. On arrival, the opposite is done: aluminum pallets are reloaded into standard pallets for road transport.

Tough storage requirements for medicines

Around half of the air freight handled by WFS consists of pharmaceuticals. And the volumes are growing rapidly all the time. It involves shipping both finished medicines and ingredients for the production of new medicines. The requirements of both the Medical Products Agency and the pharmaceutical companies are strict: all pharmaceutical products must be stored at the right temperatures around the clock. To meet these requirements, envirotainers are sometimes used, which are special refrigerated containers that maintain stable temperatures throughout transportation.
– Previously, short deviations during transhipments were accepted. But after Covid, the World Health Organization (WHO) has tightened the rules. Nowadays, sensitive medicines are never allowed to be outside their temperature ranges, says Anders Schedin.

Mapping provided control and insights

Ensuring unbroken cold chains requires accurate measurement data. Here the cooperation with Nordtec plays a central role. Nordtec’s field technicians have calibrated the sensors in the refrigeration units inside WFS’s trucks (at measuring points -15, +4 and +20 °C), and have carried out mappings in the terminals and in a trailer. In the terminal at Arlandastad, mapping has been done in a warehouse with room temperature. And in the WFS terminal at the airport, both the room temperature warehouse and the cold room have been mapped.
The mappings provided WFS with new, valuable insights. In one cold room, it was discovered that temperatures rose sharply when doors were opened. The solution was to adjust the sensitivity of the units and install curtains. These measures have created a more stable climate for the goods. The results were also an eye-opener for Schedin and his team.
– Even if a cold room feels cold, it doesn’t always mean that the temperature is right everywhere. Thanks to the mapping, we now know where in our spaces it is best to place goods,” he says.

Time-pressured assignments every day

WFS’s day-to-day operations continue to be characterized by flexibility to solve a wide variety of transport missions. One day it may be vaccines for aid organizations, the next it may be emergency spare parts for a power plant. The time window is often minimal. At the same time, regulatory and customer requirements are tightening further. This makes it more important than ever to have complete control over the climate in all storage and transportation areas. Therefore, temperature mapping continues. The next step will be a mapping of the new cold room that WFS has set up in the terminal in Arlandastad.
– There are so many incoming refrigerated goods that we need to unload and temporarily store goods in Arlandastad before they can be transported to the airport for further shipping,” says Anders Schedin.

“We could work as usual”

He appreciates the cooperation with Nordtec in several ways. Both for the professional support and constructive dialog.
– “We have gained a completely different understanding of the freight climate thanks to Nordtec. They have explained in an educational way why we need to make certain changes and – not least – what we need to do to achieve good temperature safety in important areas,” says Anders Schedin and concludes:
– “At the same time, Nordtec has understood that we cannot close the business for a whole week when they carry out mappings. They have also solved this very well. Operations have continued and we have been able to work just as usual during the mappings.

Published 2026-03-23

Every week, up to a thousand pallets of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals pass through logistics company Ahréns Åkeri’s terminal in Södertälje. To meet strict requirements and minimize the risk of damaged and unusable medicines, the company has hired Nordtec to take a comprehensive approach to monitoring and controlling key temperature-sensitive environments.

– The authorities’ requirements regarding temperature control and unbroken cold chains have been tightened in recent years, but this has not really affected us because we have set very high standards for ourselves from the start.

That’s what Mertzi Palmroth says. He is Pharma Manager at Ahrén’s Åkeri, a family-owned logistics company that provides air and sea transportation for leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. The transportation starts at the manufacturers, where Ahrén’s specially trained drivers pick up the goods and drive them to Ahrén’s terminal in Södertälje. At the terminal, a handful of people work continuously to receive deliveries and plan further transportation.

The goods are either shipped by air via, for example, Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, or the products are loaded into sea containers and transported to the nearby port of Södertälje or Norvikshamnen in Nynäshamn. The aim is to ensure that the medicines do not stay long at the terminal.
– “We store some products for a short time, but our ambition is to send all goods on within 48 hours,” says Mertzi Palmroth.

Terminal with controlled temperature zones

The 1,200 square meter terminal has an ambient temperature of between 2 and 25°C. Inside the terminal there is also a 120 square meter cold room with a capacity for about 100 pallets where the temperature is kept between 2 and 8°C. All extra temperature-sensitive goods are handled there. An important part of the logistics is the design of the terminal flow.

The unloading quay is directly adjacent to a lock that leads straight into the cold room. This is one of several special solutions that allow Ahréns to maintain unbroken cold chains all the way from the pharmaceutical manufacturers to the terminal and on to end customers around the world.

Switched to testo Saveris 1

Ahréns changed its temperature monitoring system about a year ago. The reason for the change was that the company wanted a more cost-effective solution and access to Swedish support.

Since Nordtec has been helping Ahréns with calibrations for a long time, it was natural to contact them and ask for suggestions for a solution. As a result, there are now five temperature sensors in the terminal and six sensors in the cold room. All are linked to the advanced but user-friendly testo Saveris 1 monitoring system.

Simple and good alarm functions

The new system has brought a number of benefits to Ahréns.
– To begin with, everything is in Swedish, which makes it easy to get started and work with the system. Then we have got much better alarm functions. Many of our operators are connected and receive direct notifications via SMS and email if there is any deviation. If perhaps a temperature has exceeded a threshold value, in the event of a sensor failure or if there is a power failure,” says Mertzi Palmroth and continues:
– “In addition, we have a backup system that runs on ordinary batteries. So even if we have a power failure in the building, the system still logs and alarms using battery power for many hours. Our previous system was completely power dependent. So if there was an outage, we would have had to stand with pen and paper to keep track of the temperatures. The new system not only simplifies day-to-day work, but is a real help in the event of a crisis.

Calibration for compliance with regulatory requirements

For pharmaceutical logistics, calibrated measuring equipment is a regulatory requirement from the Medical Products Agency. Nordtec is responsible for Ahrén’s annual calibrations.
– It’s very easy to work with Nordtec. All we really need to do is open the doors and they do the rest. Their technicians calibrate all the sensors on site in one day and deliver the certificates shortly afterwards.

In addition to calibrations, Nordtec has also performed summer and winter mapping of both the terminal and the cold room. The mappings have given Ahréns black and white where it is coldest and warmest in their spaces. And that there are no critical temperature levels anywhere.

Special solution for passive containers

Ahréns has a freezer container that has also been mapped by Nordtec. The container is used to freeze cold packs that are then placed in packaged pharmaceuticals for transport in so-called passive containers. That is, transport containers without their own refrigeration units.

The refrigerated clamps are first frozen in the container for four days at -20°C. Then the cold packs are moved to the cold room for a few days, which activates the gel in the packs and can ensure stable temperatures even during longer air transportation.

“Meaningful and exciting work”

In addition to regular calibrations and mappings, Ahrén performs its own functional checks on a daily basis.
– We perform a range of tests. For example, we can pull out a sensor to see that the system continues to send alarms. This gives us peace of mind knowing that everything is working properly.

Pharmaceutical logistics is an industry where conditions are constantly changing. Today, Ahréns has the capacity to meet demand and at the same time the opportunity to expand if necessary. Unexpected and sudden global events often have a direct impact on operations. In such cases, it is important to be able to adapt and act immediately.
– No two days are the same. The external environment affects air transport all the time. If routes are canceled, we need to find other solutions quickly.

It is these changing challenges that make the job so stimulating, says Mertzi Palmroth.
– People around the world are constantly dependent on medicines. Therefore, we are constantly facing new logistical challenges. This is what makes my job so meaningful and exciting.

Published 2025-12-23

Digital sensors are becoming increasingly common in metrology. But what exactly is a digital sensor, how does it work and what are its practical benefits? Here we cover the basics.

What is a digital sensor?

A digital sensor is a sensor that measures, for example, temperature or humidity and sends the measured values as digital information to an instrument or a data logger. The sensor processes the measurement data itself and sends ready-to-use values, providing fast and reliable readings in the instrument. Analog sensors instead send a continuous current or voltage signal that the instrument must interpret.

Why do digital sensors provide better accuracy?

What makes digital sensors particularly accurate is that both the measurement and the interpretation take place in the sensor. With analog sensors, accuracy is determined by both the instrument and the sensor, and measurement data can be affected by electrical noise or voltage drops on the way to the instrument before the signal is interpreted. Because digital sensors send ready-to-use values, measurements remain stable all the way from sensor to instrument.

Digital technology also allows for higher resolution, often with more decimal places. The result is more reliable and comparable measurements, reducing the need to re-measure.

What are the main benefits of digital sensors?

• Easy integration and more stable measurement
  The instrument automatically recognizes the sensor type and receives ready-to-use measurement values directly. This provides higher accuracy and reduces the risk of both misalignment and incorrect readings.
  
  
• Flexibility
  Digital transducers can be seamlessly integrated into instruments and measurement systems that support different transducer types or multiple measurement channels. Most of Testo’s digital transducers use the same type of connector, making it easy to connect and switch between different transducer types in the same instrument.
  
  
• Easy identification
  Digital sensors have unique serial numbers, which simplifies tracking and management of the measuring equipment. Each transducer is calibrated as a separate unit and has its own calibration document (easily accessed by scanning a QR code on the transducer once it has been calibrated with us).
  
  
• Calibrate without pausing measurements
  Since digital sensors are calibrated separately, you can send the sensor for calibration without having to send the entire instrument. Therefore, by replacing the sensor, you can continue your measurements even when a sensor needs calibration.
  
  
  

Measuring instruments for digital sensors

Published 2026-03-31

The right temperature during asphalt paving is crucial for a durable, durable and dense asphalt pavement. Therefore, accurate temperature measurement is an important part of a successful paving process. With a robust temperature gauge and a durable plug-in sensor, you get full control over both core and surface temperature, making it easy to ensure the best possible results for every paving project.

Why temperature control is crucial

Temperature has a major impact on the compactibility, durability and bonding of asphalt to the subgrade. If the asphalt is too cold, the mass becomes stiff and difficult to compact, which can result in a porous pavement with a high void content and an increased risk of cracking and faster degradation by traffic, water and frost. If the asphalt is too hot, the binder can be adversely affected by increased oxidation, which deteriorates the properties of the mass. It can also lead to the binder penetrating the surface – so-called bleeding – which makes the surface slippery and less durable.

For best results, paving should be carried out at ground and air temperatures above 5°C, preferably between 10-25°C, which provides optimum workability and ensures that the pavement adheres properly to the substrate.

Ensure quality and sustainability

Using a temperature meter or IR thermometer together with a plug-in sensor provides a flexible and reliable solution for temperature measurement in the asphalt core. The robust testo 925 temperature meter provides accurate measurements directly in the asphalt mass and is designed to withstand harsh environments. In addition, it has practical features such as an illuminated display, min/max display and a hold function that allows you to freeze measurements. You can also set limit values to receive audible alarms when these are exceeded. Thanks to the connection to the testo Smart app, you can also easily document and share measurement values directly on your mobile.

The testo 830-T2 IR thermometer enables fast and non-contact measurement of surface temperatures. Connect a plug-in sensor to get a complete instrument for both core and surface temperature. Adjustable emission factor allows you to customize the measurement for different materials, while the 2-point laser sight ensures you measure on the right surface. Features such as min/max display, hold function and alarm when limit values are exceeded are also available.

For a convenient and complete solution, we offer ready-made sets for temperature measurement in asphalt, based on testo 925 and testo 830-T2 respectively, together with a durable insertion probe and practical storage case. These kits make it easy to work efficiently, ensure the right temperature and deliver a durable and aesthetically pleasing asphalt pavement.

Published 2025-10-15

When the cold weather comes, buildings are put to the test. Uneven heating in apartments, cold radiators and draughts from leaky windows are common problems that both affect comfort and drive up energy costs. With the right temperature measurement in your buildings, you can quickly pinpoint causes and take action – for efficient energy optimization and a comfortable indoor climate all year round.

IR thermometers and thermal imaging cameras are reliable tools for operations and building technicians who want to optimize heating, reduce energy losses and prevent indoor temperature complaints from tenants.

Accurate temperature measurement – the basis for effective troubleshooting

Identifying the causes of temperature problems in a building and taking appropriate action requires accurate measurements in several locations. The air temperature should be measured within the occupied zone – the area where people normally stay. This zone is defined by two horizontal planes, 0.1 meters and 2.0 meters above the floor, and by vertical planes located 0.6 meters inside the external walls. In front of windows and external doors, the distance is 1.0 meter.

Read more about measuring points in the occupied zone

Domestic water should also be checked to ensure that both cold and hot water are at the correct temperature according to current legal requirements. Water temperatures that are too low can pose health risks, such as the growth of legionella bacteria. According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the temperature of domestic hot water should not fall below 50°C in the pipes.

Accurate temperature measurements and documented anomalies not only provide answers when troubleshooting or when tenants experience problems with the indoor climate – they are also an effective tool for identifying opportunities for energy optimization and cost savings in the building.

Fast and reliable temperature measurements with IR thermometer

With an IR thermometer, you can quickly and easily measure the temperature of surfaces such as radiators, floors, walls and windows using infrared radiation. Testo’s IR thermometers have an adjustable emission factor, allowing you to customize the instrument for different materials and get more accurate measurement results. Connect a sensor to also measure temperature in air and water. The wide range of applications makes the Testos IR thermometers a very useful instrument that fits in every building technician’s toolbox.

Read more about IR measurement and the emission factor

Detect heat leaks with a thermal imaging camera

A thermal imaging camera is an invaluable tool for both energy optimization and troubleshooting in offices, business premises and apartments with uneven or low heat. With detailed thermal images, you can quickly detect thermal bridges and leaks in the building envelope, for example around windows and doors where cold air can leak in.

Energy losses caused by leaks in the building envelope are often easy to fix, but can be very costly if ignored, especially during the coldest months. By documenting heat leaks and anomalies, you will have a clear basis for planning energy measures. Identify problem areas early and plan interventions such as window replacement or additional insulation to reduce energy costs and avoid tenant complaints. With Testo thermal imaging cameras, you can easily save thermal images and analyze the results in the associated IRSoft software – for even smoother energy optimization.

Education and training

When you buy a thermal imaging camera from Nordtec, our basic thermography course is included(not applicable to testo 860i), so you can get the most out of your instrument. Learn to understand the functions of the thermal imaging camera, interpret thermal images and act on the results.

Read more about thermal imaging cameras

The right instrument for the right purpose

Published 2025-06-17

Tougher competition, increased customer demands and stricter legal requirements. The food industry is experiencing increased pressure from many directions. This makes it more important than ever to have accurate and reliable temperature measurement of food in all possible environments. This in turn helps to ensure high food safety and reduce food waste.

Food belongs on the plate – not in the bin

Billions of tons of food are wasted around the world every year. As much as one third of all food produced ends up in the garbage. This is an unnecessary waste of resources and money. Broken cold chains and improper storage are some common causes of food going bad and being thrown away too early. Estimates show that restaurants and supermarkets, for example, can cut their costs by up to 30% by reducing their food waste.

Key metrics for good food safety

Whether in incoming goods and warehouse management, or production and processing, two measurement parameters are important at several stages: temperature and pH. In many cases, these measurements have a crucial impact on food safety in terms of quality and shelf life of raw materials and food that are particularly sensitive.

By regularly measuring food temperatures, you can identify anomalies at an early stage and quickly take action to ensure an unbroken cold chain. This avoids the growth of bacteria and the need to throw away food, which can cost you a lot of time and money. We offer a wide range of measuring instruments for easy spot checks of temperature, pH and frying oil quality.

Find the right measuring instrument for your food controls

Get an overview of all food climates

To keep raw materials fresh, ensure quality and maintain an unbroken cold chain, temperature monitoring is an effective and reliable tool. At the same time, it helps you meet current industry regulatory requirements. With Testo’s data loggers and smart monitoring systems, you can continuously monitor temperatures in transportation, warehouses, refrigerators, freezers, heating cabinets and production – both for internal follow-up and for regulatory requirements. This improves food safety and can help reduce food waste, saving money and benefiting the planet.

Explore our popular testo 174 series data loggers

Popular calibration with food customers

By calibrating measuring equipment with us, you get answers to how “correct” measurement values your equipment shows compared to values from a highly accurate reference equipment. In the lab in Gothenburg, we perform accredited calibration of food instruments from all manufacturers. With quality assured methods, mostly standard calibration for the food industry is issued at the measuring points -18, ±0 and +60 °C (it is also possible to choose your own measuring points).

One service that is increasingly in demand is field calibration. Our calibration technicians from our offices in Gothenburg and Uppsala are constantly on the move, calibrating measurement equipment at customer sites – without disrupting their operations. Our field technicians calibrate everything from blast freezers at -30 °C to large baking ovens at +225 °C.

Field calibration of meters in transport

Properly tempered food transportation is important to maintain high quality and safety of raw materials and food even during longer shipments. Whether food transportation takes place during winter or summer. Requests from customers have led us to expand our offer to perform calibrations in transportation spaces on their premises. We calibrate both integrated sensors and mobile transport loggers – from all manufacturers – in road, rail, sea and air transportation. We see a clear trend: more and more people are realizing the value of reviewing and taking a holistic approach to food transport conditions.

Published 2025-07-01

Proper storage of products in the life sciences and food industry is directly linked to maintaining your own and your customers’ quality standards and complying with applicable laws. In this text, we highlight how monitoring the storage climate, together with measures such as temperature mapping and temperature alarms, help protect sensitive products.

Shelving systems, packing and picking, inflows and outflows, fill rates… Facility managers, operations managers and warehouse managers have many factors to consider to create stable and efficient storage of sensitive products. One important aspect is that climates are adapted to different products. Therefore, it is crucial that monitoring systems are installed, for example, in cold rooms where temperature-sensitive goods are stored.

Challenges in life sciences

In life sciences – such as the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology and laboratory operations – many temperature-sensitive goods require perfectly temperate climates. These range from vaccines to biological samples, which can also be sensitive to light and humidity. Here are some common challenges:

• Temperature deviations: many substances need to be stored in environments with strict temperature monitoring, e.g. within ranges such as 2-8°C or around -90°C. Even small deviations can render some products unusable.
• Impact of humidity and light: some chemicals and biological materials degrade in high humidity or UV exposure.
• Refrigeration and freezer failures: technical failures or power outages can lead to the loss of sensitive products.
• Cross-contamination: improper separation can negatively affect sensitive materials.
• Requirements from authorities: life science is heavily regulated by e.g. GMP, GDP, EMA, which places demands on documentation and traceability.

Challenges in food

Food products are sensitive to both temperature and humidity. Improper storage can quickly cause bacterial growth and spoil the goods. An effective solution is to install a cold room monitoring system. Here are some common challenges in the food industry:

• Inadequate cold chains: food must be kept within precise temperature limits at all times throughout the supply chain.
• Wrong humidity: low humidity dries out foods, while too high humidity levels can create mold and bacteria growth.
• Poor air circulation and gas environment: many foods require a modified atmosphere (e.g. low oxygen content) to keep longer.
• Poor stock management: without proper rotation (first in, first out), older products can sit around for too long.
• Traceability: regulations such as HACCP and EU regulations require control and documentation at every stage.

How to ensure optimal climate conditions

Protecting sensitive products requires both reliable technology and clear procedures. Here are some measures you should implement:

1. Monitoring with temperature alarms: install data loggers with temperature (and humidity if needed) sensors connected to a monitoring system. The system logs data continuously and alerts automatically in case of anomalies, via SMS and/or email.
2. Quality assured equipment: use calibrated measurement technology in cold rooms, freezers and other storage environments. Calibration ensures that your equipment gives reliable readings.
3. Temperature mapping: performs mapping in both winter and summer to identify temperature variations within storage areas.
4. Backup and emergency solutions: install backup power systems such as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and have access to dry ice or cooling gel in case of emergency.
5. Organized and hygienic storage: apply good storage practices (GSP) – label clearly, separate incompatible substances, keep clean and prevent pests.

Published 2024-06-13

Summer and sun, nice and carefree days – if you have a safe monitoring system in place and keep track of food temperatures in your cold and freezer rooms. So that you don’t suddenly find yourself with unusable raw materials and inedible food in the middle of summer.

A power cut, a door ajar, too many goods in the same space… there are several risky scenarios for your cold stores that are difficult to anticipate, prevent and detect in time. Especially in summer. Fewer staff and holiday replacements mean that supervision is not kept up with or is forgotten. Instead of keeping an eye on temperatures, it’s about servicing the rush of customers.

Avoid unnecessary additional costs

High outdoor temperatures in summer make it warmer indoors, which in turn can lead to higher temperatures in food storage areas. If you are not observant and quickly detect excessive temperatures, you may be forced to discard large quantities of produce and food. This is an immediate, unexpected and unnecessary additional cost, and it can be disruptive to business. In other words, you may have obvious problems delivering raw materials or offering food to customers in the near future before you have time to get home and restock.

Fortunately, there are various solutions for easy and reliable monitoring of cold stores. Peace of mind when food storage facilities are unmanned or when you and your colleagues simply don’t have the time to check the space from time to time. Choose the measurement solution that suits you best: data loggers from the testo Smart Connect or Celsicom monitoring systems.

Simple and flexible monitoring with alarms

It’s easy to get started with logs from both systems. You don’t need to install any software, just open a browser, create an account and make a few settings – then the loggers are ready to start measuring. You can check current values remotely whenever you want.

An important detail: the loggers automatically send alarms via SMS or email if any cooling or freezing temperature approaches a critical limit. The alarm function can be linked to one or more of your employees and an external refrigeration company that is on call.

Published 2023-11-16

The thermal imaging camera is a versatile working tool to say the least. With its detailed thermal images, you can ensure optimal indoor climates for people, equipment and machinery. And, more importantly, you have an opportunity to detect and fix costly energy wasters. Still high electricity prices make this undeniably interesting, right?

The colder the weather, the clearer the thermal images.

It is worth taking thermographic measurements of facades and indoor environments at regular intervals. However, in spring and summer it can be difficult to detect cold drafts or heat leaks. The reason is that the outdoor and indoor temperatures are too close together, which means that any problem areas are not as visible on the camera screen.

In other words, thermography is most effective with larger temperature differences outside and inside the objects being measured. When there is a difference of around 10 degrees between indoor and outdoor temperatures, powerful ‘flower patterns’ often appear on thermal images. They indicate leaks in the house shell where there is a risk of cold air entering or hot air escaping.

Practical conditions

In addition to a temperature difference of 10°C between outside and inside, these conditions should be met in order to obtain reliable thermal images:

• There should be stable temperature conditions
• Sun or other point sources of heat shall not illuminate the measuring surface.
• The surface to be measured must not be rain-soaked or damp.
• Make sure you have enough time to take and analyze pictures in peace and quiet.

Common problematic surfaces

The high electricity prices of recent years make thermography extremely valuable. IR measurement and detailed thermal images are an effective weapon in the fight against energy costs. A thermal imaging camera from Testo is a relatively small investment that quickly pays for itself.

At the touch of a button you are up and running and measuring. Either from outside or inside the property. You will usually find thermal bridges in ceilings and walls, balconies and attics, and heavy intermediate floors. It may also be worth focusing on surfaces around doors and windows. Often cold spots and heat leakage are due to defective, carelessly installed or non-existent insulation.

After taking a thermal image, you can analyze it either on the camera’s screen or on your computer, and then present the results to the person making the decision on what to do about the energy loss.

Published 2023-10-19

There are many places in a church that can be exposed to moisture, causing damage to walls and ceilings, furnishings and decorations, textiles and books. An increasing number of parishes and pastorates have started to systematically log humidity and temperature – often remotely – to avoid costly moisture damage and minimize heating costs. In Örebro parish, for example, there are clear benefits from remote monitoring of the indoor climate in churches.

Mold and other microorganisms are common in churches. Cleaning up microbial growth takes a lot of time and money. To counteract this, the Church of Sweden has been working actively for many years to ensure a good indoor climate in church buildings. As part of this work, a comprehensive handbook on the facts and detection of moisture in different environments has been produced.

Increased need for metrology

“Moisture, or water, is the single most important factor in determining whether a church building is affected by mold. Keeping moisture and water loads in check prevents damage,” the manual states. At the same time, it notes that mold problems do not seem to be going away but rather the opposite: climate change, with increasing rainfall and warmer climates, is predicted to give churches more work in controlling and managing moisture levels.

The handbook is aimed at those who both plan and carry out the operation, maintenance and supervision of churches in parishes and pastorates. It is divided into the following seven inspection rounds: the crawl space, soil and drainage, the façade, the attic, the roof, the interior of the building and in connection with surveying.

Not everything can be seen or smelled…

There are many sources of moisture, such as rainfall and soil moisture, leakage and humidity. Discoloration, stains and flaking plaster and paint can indicate moisture damage. Similarly, an unusual, pungent smell can reveal the presence of mold. But in a remarkable number of cases, mold growth is fairly anonymous. The mould cannot be seen or smelled until the growth is well advanced. If microbial growth is suspected, the Church of Sweden therefore recommends that adequate measuring equipment be used to measure and monitor the presence of temperature and relative humidity (RH) in several places in the church.

So what causes moisture problems in churches and where should measurements be taken? Open doors (e.g. during summers), leaks and exhaled air from visitors during services are some sources of warm air meeting cool surfaces (such as church walls) and causing condensation. Surfaces made of organic material or soiled by carbon particles from burning candles are a good breeding ground for microbial growth.

Moisture alarm from microclimate measurement

In a church there are many microclimates. These are small, confined areas where temperature, air circulation and humidity may differ from the climate in other parts of the space. These microclimates, which may have elevated moisture levels, are found under pews and pulpits, behind altarpieces and fixtures placed/attached to an exterior wall. One microclimate that’s important to keep an eye on is the storage of mess kit, alba, smock and other garments. Textiles are sensitive and should ideally not be exposed to relative humidity higher than 50% RH. Many churches use the mobile-connected Celsicom TH600 to measure moisture in these and other spaces. If the moisture value is exceeded, the user receives an automatic alarm via SMS or email. By also using the Celsicom TC602 measurement box, you can perform additional measurements and correlate these with measurement data from the TH600 in the Celsiview cloud service. It gives you the RF value of a surface in real time, allowing you to quickly see if the surface is so cold and damp that there is a high risk of mold growth.

Moisture content in exposed wooden structures

Water leaks and warm air entering roof and floor structures can result in damp environments and a breeding ground for mold. With the help of the Celsicom MM611B connected measuring box, churches have the opportunity to quickly and easily measure the moisture ratio continuously. They monitor the water content of exposed wooden structures such as roof and floor joists and can detect at an early stage any damage caused, for example, by water ingress.

Temperature measurement that saves costs

Energy saving is a priority for many businesses. Churches are no exception. In many cases, intermittent heating is used. That is, church buildings are basically only heated for services, weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies. The Celsicom TH600 is a perfect measurement solution in this context as well. The measuring box tells you how long it takes to heat the church. This can help churches ensure perfectly timed, comfortable indoor climates for different services while reducing heating costs.

Move and measure wherever you want

The Celsicom family of measurement boxes are all small and compact, reliable and battery-powered. It only takes a few minutes to activate a box to start measuring. The boxes can be placed almost anywhere and are easy to move when a new measurement need arises.

Measurement solutions for moisture control in churches

More facts about moisture

Various factors affect the humidity measurement. If you want to find out what these are and what you need to consider when using humidity measuring instruments, read more on our Facts about humidity page.