During the coronavirus pandemic, many commercial buildings saw an uptick in demand for air cleaners. This is due to the fact that clean filter air prevents spread of infection, improves comfort, health and productivity and allows facilities to keep doors open and services running.

Clean air filtration systems work to remove bacteria and viruses from the air using tightly woven fibres that capture these contaminants. This helps prevent the spread of respiratory infections and disease amongst employees and visitors while also reducing the risk of contamination of equipment, stock or artefacts. These air filtration systems are rated by the amount of microns they can trap and are commonly identified by their minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV rating. Generally speaking, the higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter will be.

There are many types of filters used for commercial purposes, ranging from odor control to the removal of specific dust or chemicals. The most common type of commercial air cleaner is the HEPA filter, which works to remove particulates from the air such as dust, pollen, pet dander and smoke. This can be a great solution for schools, hospitals and other large public spaces as well as industrial areas like bakeries, print shops and wood shops.

In addition to removing particulate, these air filtration systems can help with the removal of gases such as volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These can be present from a variety of sources such as proximity to busy roads, wood-burning or factories, or through the use of chemicals in cleaning or painting. To address this, these filtration systems will often include carbon filters that contain granulated activated carbon to effectively trap these gases.

These filters are often paired with germicidal UV lights to further reduce the presence of bacteria and viruses in the air. This can be especially effective in high traffic areas such as restrooms, breakrooms and lobbies. This approach provides peace of mind for visitors while providing a productive and safe environment for staff members and students.

Camfil has a wide range of commercial air purifiers available, with different levels of performance and price. We recommend choosing a filter that is capable of delivering a high rate of air changes per hour, and addressing all the potential pollutants in your space. For example, choose a Levoit Core 600S, which offers a high CADR of 410 CFM, for large rooms. This device is also equipped with a smart feature that monitors the level of pollution in your space and adjusts the fan speed accordingly. The result is cleaner, healthier air that can boost employee and student cognitive function and productivity. The energy efficiency and longevity of these systems can also save you a lot of money in the long run, with reduced costs on maintenance and replacement filters. This frees up valuable resources that can be redirected to other critical maintenance tasks in your building. Combined with other infection prevention measures such as hand sanitizer and PPE disposal, surface disinfection and social distancing, a good air cleaning system can significantly contribute to improved hygiene in your building. Industrial Air Cleaner