Properly functioning HVAC systems play a vital role in managing airborne particulates such as dust, pollen, smoke, and pathogens. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has created a standard practice for inspection and maintenance of HVAC systems here to help guide you.
In most large commercial buildings, the HVAC systems are designed to filter air before it is distributed through the facility and a simple way to improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) is to upgrade your air filters. Depending your existing system, upgrading your filters could be as easy as just replacing your current ones with a MERV 13, HEPA, or ULPA rated filter. It is important that before upgrading air filters, that you know the HVAC unit’s initial and final pressure drop, assuring the pressure drop is less than the fan’s capability with the higher efficiency replacement filters.
MERV 13 air filters, like the Astro-Pleat: MERV 13, uses a synthetic media that is electrostatically charged, capturing 98% of airborne pollutants and fine particles as small as 0.3 microns. Filtered contaminants include fine dust, dust mites, dirt, mold spores, pollen, smoke, harmful bacteria, and viruses.
Some HVAC systems are compatible with high-efficiency filters like High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) or Ultra-Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters. These prevent nearly all airborne contaminants like mold, pollen, fine dust, bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from recirculating back into the air. HEPA filters remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3μm and ULPA filters remove at least 99.999% of 0.12μm particles.
For further protection, or for HVAC units are not compatible with high-efficiency filters, adding a multi-stage air filtration and purification system that works together with your current HVAC system is a great solution to ensure that your customers and staff are safe. The Aire-Loc: Healthcare Filter Housing & Air Purification System (HFH) is designed to protect and provide healthy, clean air throughout the facility by filtering polluted air through 3 stages of filtration and a UV light.
Although these units were specifically designed for healthcare and medical applications, they are perfect for any environment where having clean air is crucial. The Aire-Loc: HFH is a free-standing unit and is available in a horizontal or vertical configuration with a side-access door, making installation and maintenance simple for use anywhere – attics, closets, rooftops, etc. The standard Aire-Loc™: HFH can clean and filter the air in six 12X12 rooms, 12 times every hour, but is available in any custom configuration to fit your application and building size.
