Filtered Thoughts: Basics for Indoor Air Quality

By: Kevin Delahunt, BGE Clean Air, National Air Filtration Association

What a different world we live in today compared to just 18 months ago. After many years in the filtration industry, I never thought I would see the increased status that filtration plays for the safe and healthy return of occupants to the built environment. When employees, tenants, occupants, and students return to work and school they come with an increased understanding of ventilation rates, microbial size, viral transmission, and MERV. Is your staff knowledgeable on these topics and able to articulate answers to these, and other difficult questions? Educate your front-line staff on all things COVID-19 and HVAC related. Their expertise will provide the piece of mind to all who are returning that the facility management team has taken every step to provide the highest level of air quality.

During the pandemic, I have given many presentations to various industry groups and my message has been consistent; The air quality in most Class A commercial buildings is exceptional, and substantially better than your home, the mall, schools, and elderly care facilities. And why you ask? Class A commercial buildings have the mechanical system capacities, unlike the other facilities just mentioned, to provide adequate air changes, the introduction of more outside air, the ability to humidify or dehumidify, and to filter the air to remove virus size particles at an efficient level.

What most commercial buildings fail to do is to promote the quality of their indoor air. Make the invisible visible by displaying it openly and often. How reassuring would it be to enter a building and see the quality of the indoor air displayed on a monitor, or being able to access it on a phone app? The technology exists and could easily be considered a competitive advantage for the forward-thinking facility management team. If you do not do it, someone else will, and you might not like the results! The increased awareness in filtration has seen the rise in a myriad of alternate air cleaning technologies that may, or may not, be effective in reducing the airborne concentration of the SARS CoV-2 virus.

When asked about the efficacy of these technologies my answer is constant; take care of the basics first.

When asked about the efficacy of these technologies, my answer is constant; take care of the basics first, and then if you feel you need supplemental performance, look for third-party, peer reviewed documentation on any air cleaning technology you are considering.

The basics I am referring to are the use of mechanical filter systems, especially MERV 13 and higher, found in all commercial buildings. There are good reasons why mechanical filters are consistently used, designed, and referenced. They are rigorously tested to meet current protocols and standards and have a long history of efficacy on virussize particles. What often gets overlooked when evaluating filter performance is two equally important elements: • The filter itself • The holding apparatus/framework that the filter sits in.

The often forgotten holding apparatus/framework takes on more importance when filter efficiency is increased. The best value for your IAQ dollar is eliminating unfiltered air bypass. The fix is often inexpensive with the use of caulking, gasketing, duct tape and sweat. Reach out to your air filter supplier to validate your filter systems’ integrity; the goal being 100% of the air going through the filter. It sounds easy, but I know from experience that very few systems meet this challenge.

The servicing of air filtration products has taken on a more prominent role during the pandemic due to the realization that the virus is airborne, can travel substantial distances, and can remain viable for extended periods of time. We know that a MERV 13, and higher, filter can remove virus size particles efficiently from the airstream, therefore we can assume that the filter could be contaminated with viable SARS CoV-2 virus. Having a National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) Certified Technician (NCT), or industry trained in-house staff to perform this service reduces potential risk and liability. NAFA offers the NCT program to educate on all aspects of filter service. Contact www.nafahq.org for course details. It is an excellent program that will provide safe work practices and enhance operational skill level within your organization.

An unprecedented amount of money is earmarked for the replacement, and deferred maintenance of aged HVAC equipment, not just in commercial buildings, but schools and senior care facilities. The pandemic exposed these facilities’ HVAC systems for lack of ventilation and filtration. For many existing HVAC systems, there is little that can be done as they are physically and mechanically incapable of improving either. We can, however, address these situations at the design stage. It requires a conscious effort to improve air filtration specifications by looking at new air filter technologies, oversizing filter banks, increasing the available depth of filter banks and adding a second filter bank that can be mobilized for an extraordinary event. Building flexibility in your next design will allow you to proactively prepare for the next pandemic or wildfire smoke event. If we start today, we will not be having this same conversation 20 years from now.

Ventilation, Filtration, and Indoor Air Quality have been three of the most important organizational health and safety issues discussed since the pandemic began. This heightened awareness will not diminish but will become the new benchmark for indoor environments. Some of the thoughts discussed may increase energy consumption and capital spending; however, the benefits will be a healthier and more productive environment for all who live, visit, work, and play in your facilities.

About the Author

Kevin Delahunt has been active in the Filtration and Indoor Air Quality industry for over 40 years. He is a Certified Air Filtration Specialist (CAFS) from the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) and is a life member of ASHRAE and the Building Operators Association of Canada (BOA). He is currently the vice chair of the NAFA Guidelines Committee and is the lead author for the “NAFA Guidelines for Commercial Office Buildings”. Kevin continues to serve his passion for the industry by delivering numerous educational and training presentations.

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