In health care facilities, cleaning instruments and surfaces may not be enough to achieve maximum cleanliness and maintain patient health. It is a good idea to focus on indoor air quality to keep facilities free of contaminants. Air that contains impurities can cause or aggravate respiratory conditions, cause infections, and even transmit infectious diseases. To eliminate as many particulates and biological contaminants as possible, hospitals and health care facilities use HEPA filtration, or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems.
HVAC filters are categorized according to a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating. An excellent standard-HVAC system might have a MERV rating of 16. HEPA filtration systems achieve MERV scores of 17 or higher.
HEPA filters are made to capture and remove particulates and biological material from the air that is 0.3 microns in size or larger. They can remove 99.97% of airborne dust, pollen, bacteria, spores, and other contaminants. Because of this efficiency in removing toxins, HEPA filters greatly reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission. Furthermore, HEPA filters that contain carbon or activated charcoal can also filter odors, fumes and gases.
HEPA filters can also be installed into your existing HVAC system; however, they often require specialized mounting frames to ensure a good fit. HEPA filters must be checked and changed frequently. Since these filters are thicker than standard filters, buildup of material can impede airflow in your HVAC system, which can cause your unit to malfunction, and in some cases break down.
ULPA filters, ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filters are ideal for areas that require additional sterilization. We recommend supplementing with. ULPA filters can capture and remove 99.9995% of contaminants (as small as 0.12 microns), and they achieve MERV ratings of 20. ULPA filters can even remove some viruses.
Whether you choose a HEPA and/or ULPA filtration system, it is important that they be designed, installed, and maintained by a qualified professional. Ideally, your system is designed to allow for easy inspection, testing, and repair.
For more help on achieving maximum cleanliness at your facility, contact Vanguard Resources at vanguardresources.com.
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