Benefits of Rotational Molded Cabinets for Air Filtration Devices
Advantages of Polymer Cabinets Over Metal Cabinets
Rotationally molded cabinets made from high-density polyethylene resins result in exceptionally high-quality portable air scrubbers and other HEPA filtration devices. Polymer cabinets can provide users with three distinct advantages compared to devices with fabricated metal cabinets.
- Resistance to Cabinet Damage – Over time, metal cabinets used (and often abused) on the job are likely to develop nicks, scratches and dents that can potentially result in a loss of cabinet integrity, and perhaps even allow contaminated air to bypass the HEPA filter and escape from the negative pressure containment zone. Cabinets molded from a tough polymer resin are better able to withstand rough treatment on the job and during transport to the job and still maintain their integrity.
- Less Weight for Increased Mobility – Portable air filtration devices with rotationally molded polymer cabinets typically weigh 10% to 20% less than devices made with an equivalent size metal cabinet. This weight reduction can significantly increase the portability and maneuverability of the device.
- Virtual Elimination of Leakage Points – Rotationally-molded polymer technology eliminates metal to metal seams and therefore the need to use fasteners to join these seams, thus eliminating most potential leakage points. Metal cabinets constructed using cheaper fasteners, such as hollow rivets and sheet metal screws, are far more susceptible to a loss of cabinet integrity and dirty air bypass.
Molded Polymer Cabinets are Not All Created Equal
The quality of portable air filtration devices made with molded polymer cabinets can vary substantially from product to product. Some molded devices also lack certain added features that are crucial to long-term cabinet quality and integrity. While there is a cost to add these features, this cost is far outweighed by the performance and reliability benefits they provide for years to come.
These added features are especially important when a HEPA-filtered air filtration device is used for critical negative pressure particle containment applications where bypass of contaminated air could potentially expose occupants in clean areas to hazardous airborne particles and/or fungal spores, such as ICRA construction and renovation in health care facilities.
Look for devices with these cabinet features:
- NRTL Cabinet Certification to UL Flammability Requirements – Portable air scrubbers made with polymer cabinets must be tested and safety certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) to meet UL flammability standards for polymer enclosures that house energized electrical components. Devices that do not carry an NRTL label confirming that they comply with UL flammability requirements can place workers and facility occupants at risk.
- NRTL Certification to UL & CSA Safety Standards – Air filtration devices used in the United States are also required to be tested and certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory to ensure they conform to the requirements of UL Standard 507. In Canada they must conform to CSA Standard C22.2 No. 113 – M1984. Without an NRTL label, there is no way to determine if a device conforms to UL or CSA safety standards and is safe for use by workers.
- UV Resistant Resin – Make certain that the polymer resin in any units you purchase includes an additive to protect against UV degradation. UV rays can significantly degrade and discolor untreated polymer cabinets, and make them brittle. This is especially important for units that may be transported outdoors and exposed to the sun.
- Microbial Resistant Resin – Determine whether the polymer resin includes an EPA registered, broad spectrum microbial growth inhibitor. A UV inhibitor can help protect the integrity of the cabinet when it is exposed to fungal spores and other microbial contaminants.
- Cabinet Surface Finish – Rotational molded cabinets are often made with more porous surface finishes. These finishes can help hide some wear and tear, but they can also be difficult to properly clean and decontaminate. Look for devices that have a low-porosity cabinet surface finish that makes them easier to clean and decontaminate.
Learn more about state-of-the-art, Abatement Technologies PREDATOR Portable Air Scrubbers with rugged, rotationally-molded polyethylene cabinets.