 |
Click here to return FAQs menu.
FAQs About Products for Construction & Renovation Zones
(Questions with links to answers below)
- Why is negative pressure important to
construction projects?
- A negative pressure environment will help to contain
the construction dust and contaminants within the construction space. A
negative pressure space eliminates the possibility of contaminants passing
outside of the construction area through leaks in the construction barriers.
- How do I create a negative pressure
environment using Abatement HEPA-AIRE Portable Air Scrubbers?
- In order to create a negative pressure environment, more
air must leave the space than enters it. First of all, the construction
area must be walled off with permanent or temporary construction barriers.
Secondly, the Abatement Portable Air Scrubber(s) must be placed inside the
construction area. Ductwork should be run from the system to somewhere outside
of the construction area, preferably to the outside of the building. Since
the air is HEPA filtered, it is not mandatory to exhaust air to the outdoors.
- Which size Abatement Portable Air Scrubber
is needed for my current project?
- Six or more air changes per hour (ACH) are recommended
for effective air cleaning during construction and renovation work. To determine
the amount of airflow and the number of HEPA-AIRE PAS units required for
your project, please click here.
- How is the amount of airflow that must
be removed from the containment zone to maintain negative pressure calculated?
- The general rule of thumb is that at least 10% more air
must be exhausted from the area than is supplied to it. For example, if
500 CFM is coming in through the facility HVAC system, then at least 550
CFM must be filtered and exhausted by the HEPA-AIRE PAS.
- Why do I need to monitor room pressure
where I am removing airborne particles, odors and infectious diseases?
- Air flows from a higher pressure to a lower pressure.
The HEPA-AIRE PAS creates a negative pressure in the room so that airborne
particulates are pulled towards it and filtered out. The negative pressure
prevents particulates from leaving the room you want to cleanse and contaminating
adjacent areas. Room pressure differences must be monitored and maintained
to be effective. The most reliable and sure way to confirm that pressure
relationships are proper is to continuously monitor differential pressure
using Abatement’s portable or fixed differential pressure monitor.
For more information on Abatement Technologies’ room pressure monitors,
please click here.
- What if we don't/can't exhaust the filtered
air to the outside?
- The systems can then be utilized to recirculate 100%
of the filtered air within the construction area. This will boost the ACH
in the room and provide HEPA filtration, but it will not create a negative
pressure.
- Will Abatement HEPA-AIRE Portable Air
Scrubbers remove odors?
- Yes, when equipped with special 2-inch deep Vapor-Lock
carbon filters available for all HEPA-AIRE PAS models. These high-performance
filters provide substantially more absorption capacity than most other carbon
filters, and meet most odor control requirements. Carbon/zeolite/potassium
permanganate “triple blend” filters are also available for capturing
certain low molecular weight compounds that are not effectively captured
by carbon.
- Which particulates can HEPA-AIRE Portable
Air Scrubbers capture?
- All models are equipped with HEPA filters that are tested
and certified to remove 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns and larger,
to provide "operating room clean" filtered air. To put this in
perspective, the diameter of a human hair is 50 to 200 microns, and fungal
spores are typically five to 25 microns. For a complete list of particulate
contaminants and odors that the Portable Air Scrubber can remove, please
Contact Us with your fax number.
- Why is HEPA filtration required during
construction and renovation projects?
- According to the latest 2003
CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities,
HEPA filtration is required for the capture of microbial spores and other
contaminants that can potentially cause fungal infections and Aspergillosis.
Airborne bacteria and fungi are typically 3 microns (0.0001”) and
smaller in size, small enough to easily pass through most filters. Air filtration
devices must therefore be equipped with true HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate
Air) filters, designed to capture at least 99.97% (9,997 out of 10,000)
particles as small as 0.3 microns (0.00001”) in size.
- Are there any special requirements
for HEPA filters used in healthcare facilities?
- Yes. To meet Institute of Environmental Sciences and
Technology IEST-RP-CC001.3 standards for Type A 99.97% efficiency HEPA filters,
each and every completed filter must be individually tested for leakage
and resistance, to detect any leaks in the media or between the media and
the frame or other problems that can compromise the integrity of the completed
filter. Test results must be shown on a label on the filter frame. Filter
frames should be metal. The 2003 CDC Guidelines state that: “Wood
(HEPA frames) can compromise the air quality if it becomes and remains wet,
allowing the growth of fungi and bacteria,” and recommends replacing
these filters with metal-frame filters. Filters should also meet UL900 Class
II flammability requirements.
- What are the differences between HEPA-AIRE
Portable Air Scrubbers and negative air machines?
- We manufacture both types of products. Although they
perform similar functions, they have distinctly different designs and markets.
Big, boxy and heavy negative air machines with ‘no frills’ designs
and hard casters are lower priced, but are best suited for large projects
in unoccupied facilities. HEPA-AIRE PAS have a much lighter weight, upright
design, that makes them much more portable and easy to roll into and maneuver
through tight spaces with minimal disruption to an occupied facility. Higher
performance motors, blowers and filtration systems substantially improve
airflow output and filter life, and reduce operating costs. More elaborate
controls and high tech stainless steel cabinets that look great and are
easy to clean add to their ‘hospital friendliness’. For more
user benefits, please click here.
- Can HEPA-AIRE PAS also be used to filter
and recirculate air or for positive pressure?
- Definitely. HEPA-AIRE PAS can be used to continuously
filter and recirculate 100% of the filtered air within the construction
area. This will boost the ACH in the room and provide HEPA filtration, but
will not change room pressurization. All models can also be configured to
create positive pressure.
- Does Abatement Technologies offer any
solutions for capturing and removing particles that drop out of the air
and land on walls, floors and other surfaces?
- Yes. Surfaces should be frequently cleaned with a HEPA
vacuum to further reduce the chance that harmful particles could migrate
out of the area and become airborne again. Abatement Technologies offers
two HEPA vacuum models, the V8000WD
canister model and the V1300H
backpack model.
- How often do Abatement HEPA-AIRE filters
need to be changed?
- The size and concentration of airborne contaminants, temperature,
humidity conditions and duration of use determine how often filters need
replacement. As the filters become loaded with particulate matter, the airflow
capacity of the unit decreases and the static pressure differential across
the filter increases.
HEPA-AIRE PAS are equipped with easy-to-read filter change indicator lamps
that illuminate when filters should be replaced. Unlike gauges, these lamps
do not require operator interpretation or calculations. Average filter life
(with continuous operation):
- Primary filter 1 day
- Secondary filters: 3-7 days
- HEPA filter: 800 hours.
- What are the total cost-savings of
using Abatement PAS versus the competition?
- HEPA-AIRE PAS can potentially save users up to $10,000
or more over the life of the unit compared to other systems, including low-priced
(and generally low-quality) “economy” products. Four main factors
contribute to these savings: 1) Longer filter life because the filters provide
exceptional dirt-holding capacity 2) Lower replacement filter costs 3) Lower
labor costs due to higher productivity and 4) Minimal downtime. By any measure,
this is an excellent return on investment.
- What does Abatement mean by “aircraft
type construction”?
- Our stainless steel units are manufactured using solid
rivet construction, for the same reasons aircraft manufacturers use them–solid
rivets are exceptionally strong, durable and leak-resistant. In addition,
closed-cell neoprene gaskets between the two layers of metal further ensure
that critical seams are airtight. Sheet metal screws, hollow pop rivets,
or nuts and bolts are far cheaper, but they are also far more prone to failure
and leakage. Would you want to fly on an airplane made that way?
- What Abatement accessories are needed
for negative pressure applications?
- HEPA-AIRE Portable Air Scrubbers include an exhaust collar
and a special locking clamp for attaching flex duct to the collar. Flex
duct and other items are sold as accessory products.
- What is the warranty of Abatement Portable
Air Scrubbers?
- All systems are covered by a comprehensive limited warranty
to the original user against defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of one year after date of purchase. This warranty excludes filters,
which are consumable items that require ongoing replacement.
- What is the estimated shipping time
of Abatement PAS?
- We do our best to keep all Abatement Portable Air Scrubbers
in stock for same day or next day shipment when possible. Approximate shipping
time within the continental United States is two to seven days. You will
be notified immediately of the estimated delay should we experience extremely
high demand and the system you order happens to be out of stock.
|
|
