HEPA-grade air purifiers are the most effective means of purifying the air in your workplace of dust, particles, pollen, bacteria, mould and even some viruses like flu and COVID-19. But how do we know they are working as effectively as they should be? This article will help you identify and pinch points in your system and help it run more efficiently.
Some of the things you can do to identify weak spots in your system include:
Walking around the building
Walk around the room or building your air purifier is in. Surveying the workplaces ventilation is the best way to investigate:
- Common routes used to better identify the high traffic areas in your workplace.
- CO2
- Whether the air purifier is in an appropriate position.
- Any bad smells which are not being cleared up by the air purifier.
Find the weak points
Common areas like corridors, bathrooms and kitchenettes are easily forgotten about as they are commonly used for brief periods of time despite being used by almost everybody. Corridors, bathrooms and kitchenettes are usually small rooms without access to natural ventilation. Remember to assess the ventilation in these places which are common weak points in a buildings ventilation system.
Use a CO2 monitor
By using a carbon dioxide monitor also known as a CO2 logger sensor, you can quantitatively find any weaknesses in your purification system. If you find any areas where the CO2 is above 600ppm then the air is not circulating fast enough and much more likely to contain pollutants and pathogens. CO2 levels between 600ppm-1000ppm can be associated with odours in the air.
Keep a log and perform regular checks with the CO2 monitor to track any changes or improvements in your airflow.
Matching your air purifier to the size of the room
All air purifiers are validated to purify air of a certain room size. If your room is much larger than the size your purifier is meant to cover, you might discover pinch points in the system. In contrast, an air purifier in a room too small may be costing you money in running costs.
| Air Purifier Size (m2) | Room Size (m2) | Size for Purifer |
|---|---|---|
|
50 m2
|
25m2
|
|
|
32m2 - 65 m2
|
80m2
|
|
|
70m2 - 140 m2
|
100m2
|
|
Check positioning of purifier
Checking the position of your air purifier is also critical for ensuring its efficiency. Some important things to remember about air purifiers includes:
- Making sure purifiers aren’t less than 20-30cms from walls and doors.
- Making sure the unit is facing forward as they draw in air from the front.
- Following the instructions as per your air purifiers manual.
How to improve pinch points
Once you have identified the weak points in your air purification system, here are some ways to improve it:
Trial different locations of your purifier
When you first get your purifier, it may be worth running it in a few different positions across several days to find the most efficient and convenient place to position the air purifier.
Using natural and mechanical ventilation
Where possible, natural ventilation from open doors and windows or mechanical ventilation from fans and HVAC systems can turn over the air and push it into areas picked up by your purification unit.
Frequency of HEPA running
In one of our previous blogs, we discussed about how frequently you should be running your air purifier. To prevent pressure points, you can run your purifier for longer. If possible, try turning it on about 30 minutes to 2 hours before most of your staff and customers arrive.
Caring for your purifier
To ensure maximum efficiency and the prevention of pinch points be sure to take proper care of your purifier by:
- Regular cleaning and changing of the filter.
- Regular maintenance/ servicing
- Not sitting any items on top of the purifier.
Westlab are able to offer consultative services to recommend placement and quantities of your filtration units.
Contact the team at sales@westlab.com.au today!
