1. NAFA Certified Technician “Technicians For Life”
National Air Filtration Association
Hospital Technician
Accreditation
Program
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

2. The Challenge
“Hospitals present the most unique and demanding air filtration challenge of almost any facility.”
Robert Wilson, CAFS, NCT II
President NAFA
“50% of all air filter “problems” are the result of misapplication or incorrect installation of the filter.”
Results of International Survey of NAFA Membership
Hospitals are arguably the most difficult facility to manage. With all of the different types of clean air requirements for all of the different areas, you have to know what filter goes where.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

3. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Challenge
“An Estimated 90,000 People Die Each Year In The United States from Hospital Acquired Infections”
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
While we know that most infections come from surface or other routes of infection, experts are now in agreement that there are some infections that occur through the airborne route. With more new microorganism infections coming along each year, and even more potential threats from pandemic viruses, hospitals have to be ready for just about anything.
Here’s our immediate challenge – most insurance companies are beginning to refuse to pay for hospital mistakes…those things that result in higher costs due to hospital error. So we all have to get smarter about how we do our jobs and how what we do effects the overall operation of the hospital.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

4. 5 Different Filter Systems
Emergency Room
Isolation/Intensive Care Unit
Operating Room
Patient Room
General and Administrative
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

5. NAFA Certified Technician
Five Different Air Filter Applications - One Program To Help You Correctly Install and Maintain All Of Them NAFA Certified Technician
Five Different air filter challenges – 1 program that can help you do it all correctly – the NAFA Certified Technician training program is being sponsored by the National Air Filtration Association and your local NAFA Certified Air Filter Specialist company ______________
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

6. Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Air Filtration Systems
IOM Manual
Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Air Filtration Systems
NAFA Text
Each participant in the NCT training will receive a hard copy cover of the IOM Manual, written produced by the National Air Filtration System. This should be a permanent book in your HVAC reference library and a guide for use when making decisions on what types of filters to use.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

7. Air Filtration Framing Systems
IOM Manual
Air Filtration Framing Systems
Installing Unitary Filters (Except HEPA Filters)
System Operation and Filter Replacement
Side Access Housings
Package Units
Automatic Roll Filters
The NAFA Certified Technician will learn and become proficient on the following topics:
Different air filter framing systems and how they work, how to properly install air filters, how the system is supposed to operate correctly and how to spot trouble before it becomes critical, side access housings, package units and automatic roll filters (this last item is older technology so we will teach you how to replace this type of system).
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8. HEPA and HEPA-Configured Filters Gas Phase Control Systems
IOM Manual
HEPA and HEPA-Configured Filters
Gas Phase Control Systems
Electronic (Precipitator) Air Cleaners
Filter Change Intervals
Upgrading Air Filter Systems
Safety
HEPA filters, because they are so application specific are covered, along with gas phase filtration, electronic air cleaners, how you know when you should change filters , how to retrofit and upgrade and older system, and how to be sure you are working with filters in a safe manner.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

9. Efficiency Values - E3, E2, E1
ANSI/ASHRAE Std
Air Filter Efficiency and the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)
MERV 1-4
MERV 5-12
MERV 13-16
Efficiency Values - E3, E2, E1
In 1999, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) completed their work on a new air filter testing standard that challenged filters on differing sizes of particles. This efficiency performance is expressed as a MERV value. You will learn about the importance of how filters are tested and what the results mean for your hospital.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

10. Built-up Filter Banks Modular Track System Side Access Media Blank
Filter Housings
Built-up Filter Banks
Modular Track System
Side Access
Media Blank
Every system has a unique filter bank – that part of the system where filters are placed to remove contaminants from the air. Each one is different and requires different types of filters and skill to be assure the filter has been installed correctly. You will learn about each of the systems – their strengths and weaknesses – and how to best maintain them.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

11. Pressure and Airflow TP VP SP
Air velocity, air pressure and static pressure play critical roles in every HVAC system. NCT training will discuss all of the various types of each, the effect of each on the system and how air filters impact the energy in the system, the velocity of the air and the bottom line on your electrical consumption.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

12. Different Types of Filters
Filter Pads and Panel Filters
Rings and Links
Pocket (Bag) Filters
Rigid Box Filters
HEPA and ULPA
Every type of air filter has a different function and purpose. This training will give you a broad understanding of how different types of filters and filter media function under various conditions and where you should be correctly applying which type of filter.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

13. Importance of Recordkeeping
Recordkeeping may seem like small nuisance matter when in reality, it can be the best way to know when to change a particular filter of filter system. Understanding the importance of good records is emphaisized in the training.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

14. System Integrity Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010
Just because you put a great filter into a system doesn’t mean you get cleaner air downstream. You have to know about all of the other equipment it takes to make a filter – especially a high efficiency filter – work for your facility.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

15. HEPA Filtration – Special Applications
Types of HEPA Filters
Applications
Mounting Systems
Safety-Changing HEPA filters
Bag-in/Bag-out Systems
Most technicians do not know there are several types of HEPA filters with efficiencies from 99.97% all the way up to % called Super ULPA filters. Many critical areas in the hospital use HEPA filters and you will learn the different types of HEPA’s, how to properly handle and install them and the safe removal and replacement protocol.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

16. Gas Phase Filtration
Hospital storage areas sometimes present odor issues for areas in the hospital. You will learn how chemical and biological odors and other gaseous contaminants can be filtered from the airstream.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

17. Safety and Hazard Protection
Your respiratory system is the place where the outside gets closest to the inside of your body. You will learn how to protect yourself from breathing in materials that filters capture and the common issues of safey when dealing with filters.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

18. What is involved in the training?
NAFA NCT
What is involved in the training?
Read and study the NAFA Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Air Filtration Systems text
Study for the 100-question open-book exam
Attend the 4-hour tutorial prior to the exam
Take and pass the exam- =>70%
Your involvement includes sponsorship by a NAFA CAFS member, payment of the special accreditation package of $125 which includes all materials, tutorials and testing. Read and study the text, attend the 2-hour tutorial prior to the exam, and then pass the national written exam with a score of 70% or better. There is a yearly recertification fee of $25 to retain your accreditation.
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010

19. Result
What you will Receive
Authority to put NAFA Certified Technician onto your name
2 Shirt Patches
An Accreditation Certificate
Subscription to Air Media, the magazine of NAFA
Your accreditation provides you with the authorization to include NCT on the end of your name showing you have achieved the certification, 2 shirt patches for your uniform, an accreditation certificate, and a year’s subscription to the NAFA Air Media magazine so that you can continue to read about air filter application, research and ongoing educational opportunities.
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20. Even Better Result
Satisfaction of knowing more about what you do and the difference it can make in the lives of patients
Copyright National Air Filtration Association V2010