HEPA Power: Commercial Air Purifier for Clean Air Solutions

Poor air quality presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining a safe and sterile environment. The stakes are high, as the health of your building’s occupants — whether they be students, faculty, patients, healthcare workers, or construction personnel — can be severely compromised by airborne contaminants. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients have at least one healthcare-associated infection on any given day. 

When safety and compliance are your top concerns, trust industry-leading equipment like high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and air purifiers for commercial spaces to protect against the risks and keep your school or healthcare center running smoothly during even the most invasive construction projects or cold and flu season. Today, we’re exploring how these air scrubber machines can support healthier indoor air quality, and how you can use them to confidently maintain high-quality indoor air.

Indoor Air Quality Causes Major Problems in Your Facility 

As a facility manager, you already recognize that maintaining excellent indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential for ensuring a safe, healthy, and productive environment in any setting. Whether managing a healthcare facility, school, or office building, you’re at risk of contaminants like dust, mold, bacteria, and viruses creating dangerous conditions for everyone inside. Under normal circumstances, IAQ is a major concern. However, when you add construction activities and harmful airborne particles from construction materials and demolition into the mix, you must put a plan in place to mitigate the significant risks. 

Where Does Airborne Contamination Come From? 

Indoor air pollutants come from a variety of sources, but even more so during construction activities. Construction dust is a major concern in any kind of facility and contains harmful particles like asbestos, silica, and other fine particulates that can be easily inhaled, causing respiratory issues and long-term health problems. Construction materials such as paints, varnishes, and adhesives also give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to indoor air pollution and can lead to headaches, dizziness, and other health issues for anyone inside the building.

Mold is another common indoor air pollutant, thriving in damp conditions often created by construction and renovation activities. Mold spores can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, and prolonged exposure can lead to more serious health conditions. Everyday activities and medical procedures in healthcare settings can also introduce bacteria and viruses into the air, increasing the risk of infections.

Lastly, chemical pollutants from cleaning agents and disinfectants can cause problems as well. These chemicals can release VOCs and other harmful toxins into the air in your school or medical facility.

What Does Poor IAQ Mean in School Facilities? 

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools can have serious implications for both students and staff. Contaminants such as dust, mold, and chemical fumes from cleaning agents and classroom materials can trigger respiratory issues for students with sensitivities like asthma and allergies. These irritations are particularly concerning in children whose immune systems are still developing. Studies have shown that poor air quality in schools can lead to increased sick days and absences among both students and teachers. This means that learning is disrupted and students are likely to face challenges — including decreased cognitive function —  when it comes to testing and their overall academic performance. 

What Does Poor IAQ Mean in Healthcare Facilities? 

In medical centers and hospitals, air quality plays a major part in how healthy, productive, and safe your facility is for patients and staff alike. When air quality is low, you’re putting your patients at risk of more healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), longer recovery times, and overall higher costs all around. For the facility, costs are higher because staff may call out more frequently and labor costs will increase. Patients are more likely to suffer from respiratory irritation or infection and may need additional medical intervention and a longer hospital stay. 

HEPA Filtration is Your Best Tool for Air Purification 

HEPA filters are crucial for air purification in any kind of indoor setting. These filters use advanced technology to capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. They operate through three mechanisms: interception, impaction, and diffusion, effectively trapping particles like viruses, bacteria, dust, and mold spores.

HEPA filters work by:

• Interception: Airborne particles stick to the fibers as they pass through the filter.
• Impaction: Larger particles collide with the fibers and get trapped.
• Diffusion: Tiny, erratic-moving particles collide with fibers and are captured.

HEPA filters can effectively remove a variety of pollutants, including:

• Viruses: Reducing the spread of airborne infections.
• Bacteria: Minimizing bacterial contamination.
• Dust: Controlling dust levels, which can carry harmful particles.
• Mold Spores: Preventing respiratory issues related to mold exposure.

3 Benefits of Commercial Air Purifiers in School Facilities

• Improved Health and Attendance

Commercial air purifiers in school facilities make a significant impact by removing pollutants such as dust, mold spores, and chemical fumes. This reduction in airborne contaminants helps to mitigate respiratory issues and allergies among students and staff, contributing to fewer sick days and better attendance rates throughout the school year.

• Enhanced Academic Performance

Studies have shown that improved air quality directly correlates with enhanced cognitive function and concentration levels among students. By providing cleaner air, commercial air purifiers create an environment conducive to better academic performance and overall learning outcomes. Students benefit from improved focus and retention, translating into more effective educational experiences.

• Supportive Learning Environment

The presence of commercial air purifiers fosters a healthier and more engaging educational environment. Clean air promotes student well-being and contributes to a positive atmosphere for learning and growth. By ensuring that the air students breathe is free from harmful pollutants, schools can prioritize the health and comfort of their learning community.

3 Benefits of Commercial Air Purifiers in Healthcare Facilities

1. Infection Control and Patient Recovery

Commercial air purifiers play a crucial role in healthcare facilities by effectively filtering out harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from the air. This filtration process helps reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections, supporting faster patient recovery and minimizing complications during treatment. By maintaining clean air environments, these purifiers contribute significantly to improving health outcomes for patients.

2. Health and Safety for Healthcare Workers

For healthcare workers, maintaining a clean air environment is essential to minimizing respiratory issues and lowering the risk of illness. Commercial air purifiers help create a workspace that enhances the health and safety of medical professionals, enabling them to perform their duties effectively and maintain optimal health while caring for patients.

3. Construction Environment Management

During construction or renovation within healthcare settings, commercial air purifiers are instrumental in controlling airborne contaminants such as dust, mold, and pollutants. By ensuring that the air quality meets stringent health and safety standards throughout the building process, these purifiers help protect both patients and staff from potential hazards. This proactive approach supports the facility in maintaining high standards of care and operational efficiency during construction activities.

How to Choose the Right Air Purifiers for Commercial Use

Selecting the right air purifiers for commercial spaces is crucial for ensuring clean and healthy indoor air in schools, healthcare offices, and construction areas. Here are key features to consider for your HEPA air scrubber: 

• Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): This metric measures the purifier's effectiveness in filtering specific pollutants like dust, pollen, and smoke. Higher CADR values indicate faster and more efficient purification.
• Size and Coverage Area: Ensure the purifier is suitable for the size of the room or area it needs to cover. Check the manufacturer's specifications to match the device's capacity with your facility's requirements.
• Noise Level: In environments like schools and healthcare facilities, noise can be a significant concern. Look for purifiers that operate quietly without compromising performance.
• Filter Quality: HEPA filters are essential for capturing the smallest and most harmful particles. Ensure the purifier uses genuine HEPA filters and avoid those with vague terms like "HEPA-like."
• Maintenance and Filter Replacement: Regular maintenance is critical to the efficiency of air purifiers. Choose models with easily accessible filters and clear maintenance guidelines. HEPA filters should be replaced periodically as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Additional Features: Some purifiers come with added functionalities such as UV-C light for additional disinfection, activated carbon filters for odor control, and smart sensors that adjust settings based on air quality.

Recommended Brands and Models

For facilities looking to invest in the best commercial air purifiers that are reliable and effective air purifiers with HEPA filters? Consider these two HEPACART® products featuring powerful HEPA filtration and the flexibility that your school or healthcare center needs: 

HEPACART® GermBuster 300: Known for its high precision and efficiency, the HEPACART GermBuster 300 is ideal for continuous decontamination in healthcare and educational settings. It features advanced HEPA filtration, capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, ensuring optimal air quality with minimal disruption.

HEPAFORCE® Air Negative Air Machines and Scrubbers: Essential for construction areas within healthcare facilities, HEPAFORCE Air Negative Air Machines and Scrubbers provide options for both positive and negative air pressure control. They exceed industry standards with medical-grade HEPA filtration, removing 99.99% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns. Durable and efficient, these machines protect patients and staff from airborne contaminants during renovations and maintenance projects.

Control Harmful Contamination With Air Purification

Maintaining clean air in schools, healthcare offices, and construction areas is critical for the health and well-being of students, patients, staff, and visitors. Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, increased absenteeism, and higher risks of infections.

Commercial air purifiers with HEPA filters offer an effective solution to these challenges. They capture a wide range of pollutants, ensuring a safer and healthier indoor environment. By investing in the best commercial air purifiers, facility managers can significantly enhance air quality, comply with health regulations, and promote overall well-being.

To discover more powerful ways to equip any facility with healthier air and combat the dangers of poor air quality, download our free guide to infection control today.