Advanced Air Filtration Systems

 The spread of COVID-19 has reinforced the need to impletment air filtration into HVAC system design. That's not to say filtration wasn't important before- but it's definitely globally recognized today. Filtration systems range from simple HEPA filtration to more advanced UV and ionization assemblies. 

- filtration 

 Although a typical air handling unit will struggle to push or pull air through a 99% efficient HEPA filer, higher pressure HVAC systems have been produced to alow for adequate flow while maintaining up to 75% in pathogen capture.  Utilizing the maximum allowable air filtration for your AHU with MERV 13 filters is an imporatnt means for LEED credits as well.

- Ionization. 

 Ionization systems are tied into a building’s AHU- they function by sending positive and negativly charged ions into the air. this causes small particles to cluster into larger particles thus allowing them to be captured in filters or HEPA cleaners.  Additionally, ionization stops pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 through hydrolysis. The imporpoer setup of an ionization system can cause elevated ozone concentration leading to respitory issue in humans, so it is imparitave that your system is installed and maintained by experienced professionals.

- Germicidal UV. 

 UV-C is a highly efficient means of rendering pathogens inactive. They do this by destroying pathogens outer protien layer. Unfortunately UV-C light is also known to cause cancer, negatively impact human DNA, and damage eye sight. 

There are many commercially available products designed to kill pathogens on surfaces, however eradicating airebore pathogens is a more diffuclt concept. UV-C systems are implemented in hospitals and industrial processes to disinfect equipment and products and spaces when people are not present. Employing UV-C in a commercial or residential environment is a different matter. These systems need to provide a balanced dose and duration in order to maintain the wellbeing of the indivuals within the space. Utilizing a UV-C air stream cleaner can be effective in these spaces. Unfortunately these require a lot of power to operate, which creates challenges for buildings electrical distrubution limitations.

Whats best for you?

By utilizing specialized egineers Bluestone Development regularly works closely with- we are capable of installing the best system for your facility or project. We identify what current and potential tenants need. For a retrofit system we account for the existing facility and its unique characteristics and its capacity for upgrades. From there we provide you with a healthy enviornment for a spaces occupants.