1. Filtration & Hardware Performance for Healthcare Facilities
Review of ASHRAE 170 Guidelines
System Performance - what are you really getting?
Danja McMillan - Camfil USA, Inc.

2. Healthcare and Contaminants of Concern

3. What’s in the air – What size particles
100 µm = 1/10 mm
50 µm = hair
10 µm = visible
1 µm = 1/1000 mm
0.3 µm = smoke
Number 99% < 1 µm
Weight 30% < 1 µm

4. Contaminants of Concern
Camfil Farr
Contaminants of Concern
“…Airborne pathogens can survive 50 kilometers from source…”
Angela M. Shaw PhD
Iowa State University
We do a good job of removing particulate, removal of gaseous contaminant is the path in the future, specifically ozone, VOCs’
Embellish

5. Contaminant Sources/Transfer
Camfil Farr & General Aire
Contaminant Sources/Transfer
November 2003
Viruses
by humans
HVAC systems
For Bacteria:
by organic matter
For Fungi
from building materials
furnishings
humans
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Main point of the slide, HVAC provides comfort, but it is also is a main transfer mechanism for contaminants
Subway for pollution
© Camfil Farr- Permission required for distribution.

6. Common Thread: Contaminant Removal Why use air filters?
Block outdoor air contaminants
Keep the ducts clean
Protect
Processes
Product
HVAC equipment
Maintain healthy environment
Common Thread:
Contaminant Removal

7. ASHRAE Filtration Standards and Guidelines

8. ASHRAE 52.2 Table 12-1 Healthcare MERV
ASHRAE Standard (2015Sup)
Minimum Eff Reporting Value
Composite Average Particle Size Efficiency, % in Size Range, mm
Range E1
Range E2
Range E3
(MERV) 1
n/a
E3 < 20 2 3 4 5
E3 > 20 6
E3 > 35 7
E3 > 50 8
E2 ≥ 20
E3 > 70 9
E2 ≥ 35
E3 > 75 10
E2 > 50
E3 > 80 11
E1 ≥ 20
E2 > 65
E3 > 85 12
E1 ≥ 35
E2 > 80
E3 > 90 13
E1 ≥ 50
E2 > 90 14
E1 > 75 15
E1 > 85 16
E1 > 95
E2 > 95
E3 > 95
Notes: The final MERV value is the highest MERV where the filter data meets all requirements of that MERV.
Healthcare MERV
ASHRAE 52.2 Table 12-1

9. Electrostatic Charge Info
ASHRAE 52.2 – says:
“Some fibrous media air filters have electrostatic charges that may be either natural or imposed upon the media during manufacturing.
Such filter may demonstrate high efficiency when clean and a drop in efficiency during their actual use cycle.
The initial conditioning step of the dust-loading procedure described in this standard may affect the efficiency of the filter but not as much as would be observed in actual service.
Therefore, the minimum efficiency during test may be higher than that achieved during actual use.”

10. Filter Capture Mechanisms
Straining (sieving)
Electrostatic Attraction
Straining (sieving) Interception Diffusion

11. Research Project 1189 – Loss of Charge/Efficiency Study – VTT Finland
Camfil Farr
Research Project 1189 – Loss of Charge/Efficiency Study – VTT Finland
Work Completed and accepted by ASHRAE (published June 2005)
Lab testing included various aerosols:
IPA, Diesel, ETS, Cooking fumes…
Field testing included
3 different types/manufacturers full size filters
Tested at 3 different locations
5 different types/manufacturers media samples
Data showed:
loading with Coarse aerosol – Efficiency Increased
loading with Fine aerosol – Efficiency Decreased
“Real Life” exposure – Efficiency Decreased
© Camfil Farr- Permission required for distribution.

12. VTT Study
Clean Filter
2-Wks
52-Wks
12-Wks

13. Tested at a Major Hospital
MERV8
0.4
Glass Media
0.4
186,200 Particles per cubic ft. to surgical suite
1,000,000 Particles
980,000 Particles
Non Charged Media
Tested at a Major Hospital

14. Tested at a Major Hospital
MERV8
0.4
Charged Media
0.4
3 Times the particle
Count to Surgery as
Non charged media
1,000,000 Particles
980,000 Particles
656,600 Particles per cubic ft. in surgical suite
Charged Media
Tested at a Major Hospital

15. ASHRAE 52.2 – 2013
Addendum B Published (Sept 2008)
Non-Mandatory Appendix – Appendix J has been added to discharge course fiber filters
MERV-A
The filter should be tested per ASHRAE 52.2 (including Appendix J)
The resulting MERV-A must have the same numerical value when compared to the MERV value.
Dust Holding Capacity was added
Dust Weight Arrestance was added

16. Recommends MERV-A Mechanical Systems
Handbook for Healthcare Facilities
- J. Robin Barrick, P.E. - Ron Holdaway, P.E.
“MERV-A ratings are based on a test described in Appendix J of Standard The MERV-A ratings more accurately predict filter efficiency over time, so hospitals and design engineers should require MERV-A ratings when ordering or specifying filters.” (2014)

17. Addendum E section 12.5 adds
“The classification term MERV shall only be used in the performance report and product labeling if the entire procedure prescribed by the standard has been included”
Addendum F now requires that all test data be included in the summary report as opposed to listing just selective data that may be misleading to the customer

18. What can the Engineer do?
Update your specifications –
The filter should be tested per ASHRAE , including Appendix J and the resulting MERV-A must have the same numerical value when compared to the MERV value
Manufacturers to provide you with a full Five Page test with DHC and Arrestance as is required
All Manufacturers must ensure their filters comply with

19. Best practices should include:
Only install air filters marked with the MERV value on the filters’ frame or label
Identify your MERV requirement on all paperwork including purchase orders- MERV8A and MERV14A
Maintain on file a copy of the associated, ASHRAE test report for each type of air filter used in your facility
Maintain copies of manufacturer’s written performance guarantees. Guarantees may reference maintained MERV throughout the life of the air filter, period of life for filters within the system, pressure drop versus filter failure statements

20. Camfil Commitment Test Ducts ASHRAE 52.2 & ISO 16890 Laboratory
Riverdale, New Jersey
Test Ducts
Riverdale, New Jersey

21. Review of ASHRAE 170-2013 Ventilation of Health Care Facilities

22. A Quick Review of the Forward
It is one of a family of documents that offers
guidance, regulation, and mandates to designers
of health care facilities
It is First and Foremost a Mandatory Minimum Requirement
It may not always offer the state-of-the-art
best practice for health care ventilation design

23. 4. Compliance Existing Buildings shall comply
Additions to existing buildings
Alterations to existing building
Space alterations
HVAC alterations
New Buildings shall comply
Basically- everyone must comply

24. 2007 Hospital Filtration Guidelines
ASHRAE
2007 Hospital Filtration Guidelines
Clearly missing are MERV A & HEPA filters for surgery

25. 6.4 Filtration Service Area: Operating Suite Filter Log Date W.G. 1/1
Filter bank No. 1 upstream of coils
Filter bank No. 2 downstream of wet-air cooling coils & fans
AHU with MERV 12 & higher must have a Magnehelic including HEPA filters
Service Area:
Operating Suite
Filter Log
Date W.G.
1/1 .2
2/1
.22
3/1
.25
4/1
.32
5/1
LCC change point
.40
***Change when the initial pressure drop has doubled
Max 2-3 year life on pre and finals respectively
Max 5 year life HEPA
6/1
.72
***Standard does not specify final dp

26. Appendix A. Operations & Maintenance
Monitor pressurization
Inspect housing integrity monthly
gasketing
fasteners
seal around filters
spacers
Leakage

27. The Concept of Containment
Containment System:
An air filtration system that is designed to both filter and contain hazardous air-born contaminants, gaseous or particulate, and effectively isolate them for proper disposal.
We will focus on particulate contaminants; dealing with gaseous contaminants is a whole other story… highly specific and beyond the scope of this discussion.
These systems play a key role – first and foremost, it has to filter the particle from the air flow. Then, once the contaminant has been sequestered, it needs to be isolated from the outside world, until it can be dealt with accordingly.

28. Isolation Room Hospital Guidelines
All hospitals have Airborne Infection Isolation
Rooms (AIIR)
Most large hospitals will have 3-5 AIIR’s
In addition, as more communicable diseases emerge that are not easily treatable, such as Ebola, the need for isolation space in healthcare buildings is likely to expand.
CDC – Office of Health & Safety
CDC Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings (2005)

29. CDC Guidelines
HEPA filters can be used to clean air before it is 1) exhausted to the outside, 2) recirculated to other areas of a health-care setting, or 3) recirculated in an AII room.
Because electrostatic filters can degrade over time with exposure to humid environments and ambient aerosols (403), their use in systems that recirculate air back into the general ventilation system from AII rooms and treatment rooms should be avoided.
If used, the filter manufacturer should be consulted regarding the performance of the filter to ensure that it maintains the desired filtration efficiency over time and with loading.

30. Why All The Concern?
TB patient was placed on the first floor of a ten story building.
ventilation system supplied 20% outdoor air; in good repair and functioning
no HEPA filters were used
after 8 hours, a person on the tenth floor would have accumulated enough total exposure to have achieved a 33% risk of contracting tuberculosis !!!
Modern technology allows us access to the four corners of the globe, but a door opens both ways. Although great for business and travel buffs, this creates a nightmare for mapping and understanding disease flows.
For example, lets take a flight from Vancouver to Japan… in that 9 and a half hours, an individual with active TB could expose the entire flight to their illness. And, failing that, a person carrying the inactive form on their clothes could expose multiple individuals with ease.
MacIntyre, C. R., A. J. Plant, et al. (1995). "High rate of transmission of tuberculosis in an office: Impact of delayed diagnosis." Clinical Infectious Diseases 21:

31. Is the filter the only consideration?
Camfil Farr
Is the filter the only consideration?
E Air cleaners are tested under ideal laboratory conditions where care is taken to prevent leakage of air around them. Totally leak-free hardware is unusual in HVAC equipment, so air cleaners rarely perform to the same degree of effectiveness under field conditions. Only extreme care in finding and sealing all the leak paths in the hardware and in ductwork between the filter and the fan will ensure full performance of the air cleaner.
The filter is only as effective as the device in which it is installed!
© Camfil Farr- Permission required for distribution.

32. 2009 ASHRAE Study of Filter Bypass
The Filter is only as good as the Housing or Frame it’s installed into!
A 1/4” gap around a 24” by 24” filter equates to 18% air bypass or a 3” hole in the middle of the filter
2009 ASHRAE Study of Filter Bypass
Clean air solutions

33. OEM Side-Access By pass over 1 inch No framing to hold filter
No spacer
No framing to hold filter
In place 45 days

34. OEM Side-Access Three different size bags in one housing-
20x20, 24x12 & 20x24
Half size bags installed on the bottom row
Blank off missing

35. MERV 14 air filters will provide MERV 14 air
Specify Side Access Housing Integrity
Leakage at rated airflow, upstream to downstream of filter and slide mechanism shall be less than 1% at 3.0”w.g.
Leakage into or out of the housing shall be
less than 1% at 3.0”w.g.
All of the air moving through the housing will be treated by the air filter
MERV 14 air filters will provide MERV 14 air

36. Summary
Update specifications to MERV-A Ask for the 5-page test report. Just because they look the same, does Not mean “Same” performance
Look for and eliminate air bypass
Change filters on pressure drop
Select filters that maintain a low pressure drop throughout their lifetime & realize operating electric savings, and lowest total cost of ownership

37. What’s the Bottom Line ? Your IAQ is no better than the MERV-A value of the final filter and the integrity of your filter housing.

38. Q & A 99% of dirt in the air is under what micron? Under 1 micron
Name one bacteria of concern in healthcare setting?
Airborne pathogens can travel how far from their source?
Name one mechanical ability of a filter to remove dirt
What does AIIR stand for?
Who sets AIIR Guidelines
Under 1 micron
Acinetobacter
31 miles
Interception
Airborne Infectious Isolation Room
CDC and ASHRAE 170

39. Q & A Why use air filters? What happens to charged filter media?
What lab in Finland proved filters lose efficiency?
What are the MERV ratings for healthcare facilities
Is the filter the only consideration?
To maintain a healthy environment
The filter looses its efficiency to capture fine particles
VTT
MERV 8 and MERV 14
No, you must also look at bypass