PLEASE NOTE: In adhering to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Inslee in effect through May 4, 2020, the Smart Buildings Center’s Tool Lending Library is operating on a limited, remote basis only. We recognize that many facilities are still open for essential businesses, and identified specifically as essential in the order are “workers providing, maintaining and repairing heating, cooling, and refrigeration services” for these facilities. As such, we will only fulfill tool requests directly related to critical operations functions of these facilities, or for health/safety needs. When making your reservation, please be specific about how your project meets these criteria.
During this time, we are not fulfilling orders in person but will be shipping all requests, taking precautions to sanitize tool surfaces. We appreciate your efforts to do the same before shipping tools back to us. Our on-site library staff resources are currently limited. Please help us by being patient with the extra time it may take to receive loans, and consider postponing your nonessential tool requests for a date after the library resumes in-person operations.
If you have questions, please email tool-library@smartbuildingscenter.org.
The SBC hosts a lending “library” of diagnostic tools available to building owners and managers, as well as energy service professionals in Washington State and Oregon, for short term data collection on energy using equipment and systems in commercial and institutional buildings. Often the first step in achieving operational excellence is gaining an understanding of how systems in the building are actually operating. The SBC can help by loaning a range of data loggers, power meters, lighting loggers, infrared cameras, liquid and air flow measurement devices, and much more. Users can access these tools free of charge for prescribed time periods and capture data on system performance. Analyzing these data can troubleshoot performance problems and create actionable information that can fine-tune building performance.
The SBC can help you with information on how to use these diagnostic tools correctly as well as guide you on the best ways to analyze collected information and use that information to take energy and cost savings steps.
How to Request a Tool
Most tools are available for a period of 1 week depending on demand. Data loggers are typically available for 2-4 weeks. To check out tools, please complete the following steps:
- Read the Tool Lending Library Policy and Customer Agreement
- Browse our inventory
- Create a new account or log in to your existing account and reserve the tools you need
- Tool Library staff will follow up with your request (it could take up to two days)
- Make arrangements for shipping or pick up
Tools can be picked up Tues-Thurs from 9am to 4pm. You must email ahead to confirm that your order has been filled. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Please note: tool requests are subject to availability and existing demand. To avoid disappointment, please wait for a confirmation (it could take up to two days) from the Tool Library staff prior to scheduling your project.
Tool Inventory
Available tools include loggers, logger sensors, power and light meters, air flow tools and more. Browse the tool inventory online or view our Tool List (PDF). If you don’t see a specific tool you need, please contact us.
Tool Resources – Notes, Guides, & Information
Our library of videos and application notes has information on measurement techniques, step-by-step instructions for some tools, and useful tips. It’s a great place to start exploring all the potential applications of our inventory.
