When talking about industrial air filtration systems, the conversation tends to center around HEPA air purifiers, ionic air purifiers and the less popular ozone air purifiers. These systems make up the basic set of technologies behind industrial air purification.
While these are important to understand, none of these technologies can succeed without the support of a proper pre-filter. Pre-filters help to ensure that your industrial air filtration system is working at peak efficiency while costing you the least amount of money in upkeep and repairs.
Pre-filters are designed to capture floating particulate matter that are larger than 5 microns. These filters are meant to protect the primary filters that trap much smaller particulate matter and ensure that they function optimally. While the primary filter could catch what the pre-filter catches, doing so would drastically reduce the efficiency and effectiveness in catching the smaller particles in the air.
At the same time, having only a pre-filter would not be sufficient enough to purify the air of all harmful contaminants and thus both are required for a proper industrial air filtration system to work optimally.
Modern-Day Offices and the Challenges of Clean Air
In today’s modern office environment there are many challenges when it comes to keeping the indoor air quality (IAQ) at its peak cleanliness. The IAQ of many modern offices suffer from factors such as poor circulation, outdated ventilation systems, and energy-efficient windows that cannot be opened to let in fresh air.
Ventilation systems that are inefficient or not maintained properly can be more of a detriment than a help to your indoor air quality. Clogged commercial air filters that aren’t cleaned or replaced regularly can trap air pollutants in the environment instead of removing them and in some cases, end up simply circulating contaminated air around the office. In cases like this, the outdoor air can be better quality than the indoor air which is completely opposite of the goal of having clean indoor air.
Providing Healthier Workplaces Through Filtration
According to the National Air Filtration Association, “Facility managers should always look to air filtration and cleaning as the best way to protect the health and safety of the occupants in a facility by removing contaminants from the air.”
Studies have shown that indoor air quality has a direct impact on employee health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor air quality can increase illness risks. The EPA estimates that poor indoor air quality costs U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year.
Benefits of Commercial Air Filtration
Studies have shown that good indoor air quality has an overwhelmingly positive effect on people’s health and general productivity. People working in an environment with high indoor air quality have shown to be more alert and have an overall higher cognitive performance. This translates into fewer sick days and improved well-being. Commercial air filtration also benefits the following:
• Helps reduce the chance of sick-building syndrome
• Reduces interior maintenance associated with staining and cleaning
• Eliminates fire hazards by removing lint and other materials in ductwork
• Helps remove airborne bacteria
• Protects against build-up on heating/cooling coils
• Reduces particle sizes that can cause short circuiting in microchips
• Removes contaminants that can become respiratory irritants
How You Can Improve Indoor Air Quality
• Take preventive measures by regularly maintaining and inspecting your air purifiers and air filters; as well as heating and cooling systems to stop the spread of pollutants.
• Analyze variables such as carbon dioxide emissions, humidity, airflow and temperature to determine whether there is an air quality problem in your office environment. Based on this analysis, create an indoor air profile that includes potential sources of indoor air pollution and a strategy for indoor air management.
• Ensure that pollutants are diluted and removed from the building through proper ventilation.
• Use filtration systems to purify the air of remaining pollutants and make sure to upgrade your HVAC system anytime your building is modified or upgraded.
• Invest in proper industrial air filters including a quality pre-filter such as the EFS Soft Pocket Bag Filter and replace them regularly
EFS Soft Pocket Bag Filters
Soft Pocket Bag Filters from EFS have excellent durability, performance, and value for applications that require medium to high efficiencies. These filters have 100% synthetic filter media with non-shedding fibers that resists moisture, chemicals, and bacterial growth. The extruded aluminum frame gives the filter enhanced stability, reduced corrosion, and a greater filter life.
The ultrasonically sealed pocket seams prevent leaks & tears while the internal pocket spacers effectively channel the air providing low pressure drop and low energy costs. The rugged build of the filter’s frame prevents bending or collapsing in the most turbulent and hostile environments, allowing for even loading. EFS offers these filters in 85% (MERV 11) and 95% (MERV 14) efficiencies.
Soft pocket filters typically handle lower air flow more effectively as they are designed for optimum number of pockets and pocket depth to achieve lowest pressure drop to a given air flow rate. Rigid pocket filters can withstand extremely high pressure loads and micro-fine dust concentrations and are often used as a final filter in the air intake for gas turbines, hospitals and computer rooms.
Soft Pocket Bag Pre-Filters vs. Rigid Pocket Pre-Filters
The terms bag filter and pocket filter are often used interchangeably – but there is a difference between these two industrial air filters.
Typically, a bag filter has a metal frame (galvanized steel or aluminum) with anywhere from 3-6 pockets of micro glass or synthetic filtration media. The ‘pockets’ of a bag filter are not ‘rigid’ and sometimes have a tendency to collapse in the air stream, especially under high airflow.
Engineered Filtration Systems soft pocket bag filters are uniquely designed with an extruded aluminum frame for added durability. In addition, the seams of the pockets are ultrasonically sealed, as opposed to sewn like most bag filters, to prevent leakage and reduce tearing.
The 3 Ms of Industrial Air Filtration System Maintenance
When maintaining your industrial air filtration system, consider using periodic quantitative evaluation to determine the total system efficiency. Building owners should perform various field inspections to ensure filter seals and gaskets are installed properly and gauges are reading pressure drops accurately. This will allow you to properly apply the 3 Ms: Measure, Monitor and Manage the HVAC air filtration systems.
HVAC systems should be locked while conducting maintenance to avoid and prevent contaminants from reentering into the moving air stream. Maintenance plans and schedule of operations should also be put in place to make sure that the filtration system works as intended. Life cycle cost analysis will also ensure that the filtration system will satisfy the building needs while providing adequate protection to the building occupants in the office workplace today. Replacing your filter and pre-filter regularly is key.
