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Technology:
HEPA Filtration and Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)
High Efficiency Particulate
Air Filters (HEPA)
For over eighty years HEPA filters have been the primary mechanism used
for removing airborne pathogens, microorganisms, dust, and particulate from the
air at very high efficiencies. Standard certified HEPA filters are 99.97%
efficient at .3 microns, meaning they are individually tested to perform at that
efficiency. If a product contains a “HEPA” filter that is not certified, then in
may not perform at HEPA efficiency. The HEPA filters used in the PAS850 are all
scanned and certified to perform at 99.99% efficiency at .3 microns, and the
HEPA filter is securely sealed within the cabinet to prevent air bypass around
it. The PAS850 comes standard with a HEPA filter that has a galvanized steel
frame to ensure against frame disintegration or warping due to moisture.
Ultraviolet
Germicidal Irradiation
UVGI has also been used as a means of destroying airborne bacteria and
disease, as airborne microorganisms have been shown to be destroyed when
subjected to certain levels of UV radiation. Please review the sheet showing
dosage of UV-C necessary for complete destruction of various airborne pathogens.
A key aspect of this is the fact that some pathogens may be too small to be
trapped by a HEPA filter with 99.99% efficiency, but they are very susceptible
to the effects of UV. The PAS850 creates a UV dosage of 25,848 W sec/cm2 on
high speed, thereby generating over twice the amount of UV dosage needed to
destroy airborne TB, which is certainly enough to destroy many viruses. This is
unlike other UV units on the market today, in that many systems having UV cannot
create enough UV dosage to destroy airborne pathogens due to limited lamp
intensity and lack of residence time.
Furthermore, the UV lamps in the PAS850 are installed on the “dirty” (intake)
side of the HEPA filter where the dust, bacteria, and microorganisms are
collected. Microorganisms like mold, which are difficult for UV to destroy when
because of their large size, can actually live and grow on filters (by feeding
off of trapped particulate and microorganisms on the HEPA), eventually eating
through the filter media and potentially creating pinhole leaks. If this occurs
over a long enough period of time, trapped microorganisms can destroy the
integrity of the filter, rendering it inefficient and useless. However, because
the HEPA media is constantly radiated by UV in the PAS850, trapped molds and
other microorganisms that cannot be destroyed when airborne will be effectively
deactivated on the HEPA (because the UV is given a long enough residence time to
deactivate the microorganism). And by having the UV constantly radiating and
“cleaning” the HEPA filter; it creates a safer environment for when the filters
need to be changed.
Applications:
Medical facilities in operating rooms, TB Isolation rooms, intensive care
units, examination rooms, Emergency Rooms, bronchoscopy/sputum
rooms, and waiting areas. Also used in laboratories (tissue culture or other
high risk labs), homeless shelters, AIDS clinics, or anywhere there is a
high risk of airborne bacteria and disease.
Recommended ACH:
12-15 Air Change Per Hour
Features/Advantages:
Negative/Positive Pressure Options
The units can be installed to create positive or negative pressure, depending on
the location of the unit and exhaust air. To create a negative pressure room,
(such as for a TB Isolation Room or a bronchoscopy/sputum room), the unit should
be installed in the room where negative pressure is desired, and the exhaust air
should be sent out of the room. To create negative pressure in a TB isolation
room as per CDC guidelines, exhaust flows of at least 10% greater than supply
air (but no less than 50 cfm) must occur, and all existing return air should be
blocked off. For instance, a room having 300 cfm supply air must have at least
350 cfm exhaust (because you need at least 50 cfm more).
To create a positive pressure room, (such as for an operating room or
immune-deficiency room), the unit should be installed outside of the room where
positive pressure is desired, and the exhaust air should be sent back into the
room.
Recirculation Option:
As a recirculation unit, the PAS850R-P is used to turn virtually any
patient room into an Isolation Room, helping to protect health care workers from
exposure to contaminated air. The most important aspect of any air cleaner is
the air flow pattern created, as only air that passes through the unit can be
effectively cleaned and disinfected. With the PAS850R-P, an excellent air flow
pattern is created to ensure maximum effectiveness and contaminant removal. Air
is drawn into the lower end of the unit on four sides (not from the bottom, as
such a design pulls dusty air from the floor which can cause premature HEPA
loading), and exhausted from the upper end of the cabinet on three sides (front,
left and right). This ensures excellent air mixing occurs throughout all corners
of the room, preventing dead air spots from occurring on each side of the unit
(as can happen when air is only exhausted in one direction). Furthermore, the
height of the PAS850R-P allows for clear separation of air intake and exhaust,
guarding against “short circuiting” of clean air that can occur in smaller
units.
Combination UVGI/HEPA
Having both technologies provides double assurance that the air is
completely clean and safe. Moreover, HEPA-only units are less efficient at
removing viruses and can have problems with interior bacteria/microbial growth,
while UV-only units provide no particle reduction at all.
Low Replacement Costs
UVGI not only enhances the effectiveness of the unit, but it also reduces
the replacement costs, thereby increasing the overall efficiency. The most
expensive replacement cost of any similar air cleaning device is the HEPA
filter. In HEPA-only systems, mold and microbial growth can occur on the HEPA
filter, so HEPA filters should be replaced at least once per year (even if the
HEPA filter is not clogged). If they are not replaced, the microorganisms can
actually eat through the HEPA media (this is known as bacteria grow-through),
and ruin the integrity of the filter (and the overall air cleaning system).
However, with the PAS850, the entire HEPA filter is constantly bathed in UV
light, so mold and microbial growth cannot occur. Given this and a prefilter
that will take out larger dust particles, the HEPA filters in our systems can
last up to three years (depending on particulate load), thereby lowering unit
maintenance costs. Lastly, all replacement filters are standard sizes, keeping
costs at a minimum and even allowing for local supplying of them if necessary.
HEPA Locking Mechanism
The galvanized HEPA filter in the PAS850 is mechanically sealed into
place to prevent air bypass around the HEPA filter. Pressure applied by thumb
screws compresses the HEPA’s gasketing against the HEPA shelf to create a tight
seal and ensure the unit’s efficiency. Therefore, the PAS850 can actually
operate at HEPA efficiency. Each unit is individually tested prior to shipping
and sent with a Performance Certificate to ensure and document unit efficiency.
Mobile Option
The PAS850 is easily transported throughout the facility on heavy duty 3”
locking casters. A convenient handle is located on the side of the unit to allow
for easy navigation and movement through the facility.
Ease of Maintenance
All filters and lamps can be easily and quickly changed through the
front-access hinged door without needing to use ANY TOOLS. The unit comes
standard with a digital differential pressure gauge for showing when the
prefilter and HEPA filter need to be changed, and an LED indicator that monitors
functioning of the UV lamps.
Ease of Conversion to
Negative Pressure/Recirculation System
The PAS850 comes standard as a negative pressure unit with a 12” collar
on the top for duct connection. However, if in-room air recirculation is
desired, the unit can quickly and easily be converted into a recirculation
system by simply installing the recirculation top. To do so does not require any
tools at all, in that the recirculation top fits directly on top of the negative
pressure top, and is latched into place by means of hinges on each side of the
unit.
Location of blower
As recommended by ASHRAE and hospital guidelines the blower in the PAS850
is located after the filtration technologies (specifically the HEPA filter),
thereby preventing contamination of the blower components.
Compliance with CDC and OSHA
Guidelines
The technology and type of function provided by the PAS850 is endorsed
and recommended by the Center for Disease Control for control of Tuberculosis
and other infectious disease. As such, when using the PAS850 correctly,
facilities comply with CDC and OSHA standards for infection control.
Safety Interlock
A safety interlock mechanism is in place that will automatically shut
down all power to the unit when the access door is opened. This prevents direct
exposure to UV radiation and to any powered electrical components.
Full Variable Speed Control
Allows for use in a wide range of rooms both small and large.
Shipping Weight:
225 lbs (102 kg)
