What Is The Air Quality Index?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is the EPA’s index for reporting air quality across the country. Other organizations, like South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), utilize the Air Quality Index to help with forecasting & analyzing trends in pollutant levels. The values range from 0 to 500 and help identify “good” air quality or potentially hazardous air. What does AQI have to do with remote generator monitoring? In some states/cities, there can be a hefty fine should you exercise your generator on a bad air quality day. You can contact or visit AirNow.gov to learn more about the Air Qulity Index.
Remote Monitoring With OmniMetrix
OmniView features a seamless integration with AirNow.gov to provide hourly AQI data. This allows you to, not only, test your generator from anywhere in the world, but prevent an accidental test that could cost you money. OmniView also has the ability to prevent your generator from exercising on bad air days, receive alerts via text and/or email when a generator didn’t run and even customize your state’s specific air quality threshold so you can adjust any potential change in restrictions.
Schedule Exercises, Custom Alerts & Historical AQI Data
Along with integrating with AirNow.gov, OmniView allows you to schedule exercises on your units individually any time of the day. Should a bad air day prevent your generator from running, you can set up text & email notifications to anyone you choose. You can also set up custom alerts to let you know once an exercise has started & once it’s completed. OmniView also store the exercise schedule, along with AQI data, so you can provide accurate reporting & remain in compliance. Contact your Sales Rep for more details or click below to schedule a demo!
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More About The Air Quality Index | How Does AQI Work?
The easiest way to understand the Air Quality Index is to think of the AQI range as a yardstick that runs from 0-500. The higher the AQI number, the more air pollution there is in that specific area. For example, if a zip code or city has an AQI value of 50 or less, this represents good air quality day. If the AQI value is over 300, this represents extremely hazardous air quality. AQI values that are at or below 100 are generally thought of as “good”. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is “bad” or “unhealthy”. The initial recommendation will be geared towards certain sensitive groups of people, then for the general population as AQI value increases.
The Air Quality Index is divided into six different categories. Each category represents to a different level of health concern and has a specific color that correlates with that level. The color codes allow it to be easier for people to quickly determine whether air quality is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities.
Are There Remote Generator Testing Fines? | Remote Generator Monitoring Benefits With OmniView
Did you know that exercising or testing your generator on a bad air quality day could result in a huge fine? Depending on your location, many cities & states have certain regulations that can cost you a lot should you exercise/test your generator on a bad air quality day. For example, in the state of New Jersey, the fine could be $10,000 per generator, per test.
In the past, you would have to check for the air quality in your region BEFORE running your generator for testing, keep track of what the AQI value was that particular day. The steps would be the following:
- Go to: www.airnow.gov after 4pm on the day BEFORE testing your generator
- Type your state into the search field. Once you find your state, you can bookmark/save the website address in your favorites
- You would then have to check the AQI and find out if any of your generators would be affected. For example, any generator in the state of New Jersey cannot be tested if any area is under hazardous air quality. If that is the case, you have to wait until the AQI is at an acceptable testing level
If you have somebody driving to test the generator manually, this can be very frustrating & costly if you have to reschedule. The beauty of OmniMetrix’s remote monitoring is that you can exercise your generator from anywhere in the world from you desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device, eliminating the need for anyone to have to physically visit the generator’s location. And with OmniView 2.0s AQI integration, you can see the AQI for the area your generator(s) is in. This updates hourly to ensure that you are only testing on good air quality days & with actually prevent your generator from exercising should the AQI value be higher than the legal testing limit. This data is stored within our system so you can, also, provide proof of exercises, dates, times & the AQI during the time of the exercise to give you peace-of-mind.
About OmniMetrix Remote Monitoring Solutions
OmniMetrix is the industry leader and pioneer in remote generator monitoring, control and diagnostics for pipelines and critical equipment. For over 25 years, OmniMetrix is the proven solution for making critical systems more reliable. OmniMetrix remote monitoring products are a trusted solution for critical facilities globally, including cell towers, medical facilities, data centers, public transportation systems, as well as federal, state & municipal government facilities. Our sophisticated, affordable remote monitoring systems and our web-based user interface, OmniView, provide 24/7/365 monitoring & diagnostics and provide instant notification of any changes or alarm conditions extensive reporting, data analysis, graphing capabilities &, in many cases, remote control of the equipment.