AJ Manufacturing’s Portable HEPA Filters Help to Mitigate Indoor Virus Transmission
Risk mitigation in a hospital setting to prevent transmission of disease, particularly COVID-19, requires taking steps to improve indoor air quality using ventilation and filtration.
Localized filtration via a portable air filter is a key component of an indoor air quality strategy, especially in areas with inadequate ventilation. However, they should not be used as the only mitigating measure.
Intended Use of Portable Filtration Systems
A hospital building already has a central ventilation system. Portable units can supplement this system.
Portable units are movable devices that help filter air in a single room and remove harmful particulate matter from the air. These particulates can include dust, indoor combustion sources, bacteria, dust mites, fungal spores, and viruses. The portable systems from AJ Manufacturing function with a HEPA filter, although some use an ozone generator, plasma, or ultraviolet lamps.
For best results, we recommend our portable air filters with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This pleated mechanical filter can remove air particles with a size of 0.3 microns as efficiently as 99.97 percent. Ideal portable air cleaners can remove viruses that are 1 micron in diameter.
Portable Air Filters Reduce Aerosol Transmission of Viruses
In the medical setting, anything that can be done to reduce aerosol transmission of viruses like COVID-19 is helpful to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infection. The most effective method of improving indoor air quality is removing sources of pollutants and ventilating with fresh outdoor air. Air cleaning alone is inadequate.
You cannot rely on a series of portable filtration systems for building-wide purification. They are intended to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets between individuals in localized areas, such as a single patient room.
Placing the Portable HEPA Filter
Placement of the portable filtration system should account for air intake and outflow, avoiding obstructions, such as curtains and furniture. Most perform best in a centralized position, but always defer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If your portable air filter generates strong air currents, ensure they don’t connect two individuals via the airstream. Placing the purifier near breathing zones may improve its ability to capture respiratory aerosols.
Our Recommendation for Portable Air for Hospitals
For portable air filtration, AJ Manufacturing recommends our Mobile Criti-Clean Ultra Fan Filter Unit. It’s mounted on swivel casters for easy relocation and plugs into standard electrical outlets for use almost anywhere. Our portable FFUs are available in air recirculating and reverse-flow models, both providing effective HEPA filtration.
The recirculating unit pulls air through the back of the body of the unit and expels the filtered air through the front, continually circulating and filtering air. Set and monitor CFM from the front of the unit to ensure you’re meeting hospital-based air change requirements.
Our reverse flow unit draws air through the face of the system, and exhausted HEPA-filtered air out through ductwork that you can connect to room exhaust or out a window. This effectively turns a room into an isolation area to help prevent spread of viruses like COVID-19.
Optionally, our portable air for hospitals also comes with UV-C radiation modules that sterilize particulates caught in the portable HEPA filter.
Criti-Clean Ultra FFU Specifications
Our portable HEPA filter offers constant airflow up to 1,100 CFM, via a powerful, computer-controlled, variable-speed ECM motor powered by 120 volts of electricity. A quiet operation minimizes disruption and creates white noise.
Made of Type 304 stainless steel with an all-welded plenum, the Criti-Clean Ultra FFU meets our stringent pressure and leak-testing requirements, proven by undergoing testing in our facility.
And at just 48 inches tall by 24 inches wide by 13.7 inches deep, it’s easily movable and fits through any hospital or medical facility doorway.
Think AJ Manufacturing for Critical Environment Air Distribution Products
For hospitals looking to upgrade their current critical environment air distribution systems, or businesses interested in cleaner air, AJ Manufacturing produces stainless steel components designed for longevity and precision.
Each component is tested before leaving our Kansas City facility and is made-to-order for your job site using state-of-the-art CNC routing and laser cutters, before being finished and cleaned by our skilled fabricators.
Explore our full line of stainless steel HVAC components, request specs, and talk to an expert on our website.