Talking Air Filtration

Zach Konway explores air pollutants and the sensor technologies available to measure pollutants. Gain insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various sensor technologies. Tackle industry myths and facts as they pertain to air quality monitoring. Learn the advantages of continuous air quality monitoring and how air quality data may be leveraged with purification and ventilation for a healthier building environment. View the slides from Mr. Konway's presentation: https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/mqqbmdCH4E For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode: [3:42] Mr. Konway introduces indoor air quality and the benefits of measuring it. One of the first techniques was the use of canaries in coal mines. Continuous air quality ensures that concerns are addressed before they become widespread. Other benefits include saving energy without compromising the environment of an infrastructure or the occupants' health. Clean air is due to removing pollutants at the source and infrastructure material that doesn’t compromise health and efficient clean air devices. [8:18] Mr. Konway focuses on the following pollutants and their sensor technologies, starting with particulate matter, the most harmful and common air pollutant. Studies have shown a correlation between high concentrations of this pollutant and a drop in productivity. Carbon dioxide can affect cognitive function. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) commonly enter a building through materials such as paint and carpet. Radon is the second cause of lung cancer after smoking. The last pollutant he covers is ozone, formed from high voltage and reactions with Nox or VOCs, UV light, and oxygen. [24:56] Mr. Konway describes relative humidity's role in transmitting a pathogen or virus in occupied spaces. [25:52]Mr. Konway reviews how IAQ data gives insight into the filtration system and slows down viral spread. It can assist building management in ensuring that radon is not present, showing that the equipment is working properly and when efficiency decreases. [28:35] Mr. Konway reviews the key benchmarks to strive for when monitoring occupied spaces, including the concentration of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, radon, relative humidity, and volatile organic compounds. [29:51] Mr. Konway concludes with key takeaways from his presentation, including device utilization, calibration, and what gases it will measure. Other considerations should focus on evaluating air quality monitoring companies and the project's goals. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Recent Updates and Upgrades to ASHRAE SSPC 52.2 - SSPC 52.2 has made many updates and upgrades over the last few years to improve the standard. Many of those updates are meant to increase the repeatability and reproducibility of intra and inter-lab test results. Recent upgrades include an optional method to determine filter efficiency in removing or inactivating airborne viruses and bacteria. The addition of a Particulate Matter (PM) calculated filter efficiency by using currently available data points from the 52.2 test. This session will summarize in detail all the updates and upgrades and touch on what is next for 52.2. View the slides from Mr. McGrath's presentation: https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/ACqyqKb6fQ For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode: [1:50] Mr. McGrath begins the overview of recent 52.2 upgrades in the last five years with the MERV Table for better progressions and shedding data for testing filters. He then moves on to updates for relative humidity and narrowing down the range of percentages. For the optical particle counter, updates were more terminology-related. [5:11] Mr. McGrath explains the goal of repeatability and reproducibility with graphs outlining how filters are tested for efficiency across different labs. Improvement should revolve around the grouping of data points for the particle diameter. [5:43] Mr. McGrath introduces the most recent project, Research Project 1784, in which samples were filtered across multiple labs to determine whether lab testing standards vary. These results will assess changes in ASHRAE standard 52.2. [7:37] Mr. McGrath examines the removal of MERV 17 and what led to that reference removal, as well as MERV 18, 19 and 20 references. [10:04] Recent Upgrades to 52.2 in the last year or two, including the addition of PM 52.2 filter efficiency based on a flat distribution curve and using E-values. [13:31] The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in ASHRAE 52.2 Addendum C, which helps collect filter efficiency data for viruses and bacteria. Calculations were created to determine the presence of the organism and its ability to grow. Variety in organisms detected is still needed due to organism resistance. [17:00] Mr. McGrath concludes with current 52.2 pursuits that revolve around unifying terminology for testing and parameters for checking devices. Research project 1784 is ongoing, and its results will lead to new upgrading projects. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

A poolside chat with Bob Burkhead about lessons learned from testing, developing, and using air filters - Moderated by Tom Justice. View the slides from Mr. Burkhead's presentation: For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode: [5:38] Bob Burkhead and Tom Justice explore the trends for testing products for filtration. Indoor air quality is more than just filters. The issues are efficiency degradation, chamber testing, and ISO 17025 Lab certification. [10:30] Mr. Burkhead discusses efficiency degradation in detail, using an efficiency over time graph to illustrate a scenario involving filtration in a surgery room. [14:37] Mr. Burkhead describes chamber testing and variations in techniques assembled for the ideal filtration application. He compares a single-pass testing method to a multi-pass testing method. A new room air testing standard involving a recirculating loop is currently being worked on. [17:42] Mr. Burkhead concludes with the value of ISO 17025 Lab Certification, which provides validation and credentials for overall operation and focuses on continuous improvement. The structured decision rules and methodology should include the rest of the world. [22:29] Q & A session with Mr. Burkhead. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

This episode is from NAFA’s Tech Seminar, recorded in April 2022. Our speaker was Dr. Jordan Clark from The Ohio State University. As in many engineering problems, the control of our indoor environments is rapidly moving from a prescriptive, rule-of-thumb paradigm to an entirely data-driven paradigm enabled by the Internet of things. The first step in such a shift is generating data reliably and cheaply with low-cost sensing. To this end, we will look at several studies of the performance of low-cost airborne pollutant sensors and discuss their strengths and weaknesses and application domain. Finally, we will look at some things we can do with these sensors once they are robust and reliable. View the slides from ⁠Dr. Jordan Clark's presentation⁠. For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode: [2:08] Dr. Clark describes the engineering controls for air filtration in buildings. Prescribed ventilation rates and filter rates mean releasing quantities of air and waiting for feedback. We don’t have performance-based metrics or real-time feedback to avoid high costs of money and energy. An aging electrical infrastructure can’t keep up with grid peak times in buildings across all sectors and homes. [5:07] Dr. Clark examines the evolution of prescribed air rates within Standard 62 over time from an ASHVE article. In the late 19th century, the germ theory was developed, starting the hygiene revolution that influenced the implementation of natural air ventilation. In the middle of the 20th century, central air conditioning and heating were adopted and costly. The energy crisis at the beginning of the 1980s caused the ventilation rate to decrease. Now, the ventilation rate is prescribed per person per floor area. What we should expect in the future post-pandemic is still ambiguous. One idea is to treat buildings like hospitals to reduce the transmission of viruses. We require a reevaluation of ventilation rates and consumption of energy. [9:39] Dr. Clark reviews the US Department of Energy's depiction of a grid-interactive, efficient building of the future. However, there is no mention of air quality, and that is what Dr. Clark is working on. [10:38] The first step to getting that data is using the hardware to measure quality in real-time. Air quality sensors constantly evolve, but the current focus is on low-cost particle sensors, which cost about $1,000 USD. Dr. Clark reviews the anatomy of this device. [15:15] Dr. Clark describes his performance testing as field testing with naturally occurring particle sources like gravel roads and highways. Other sources were created in the form of essential home functions like cooking. A comparison of devices and measured the sensor detection of events and if the sensor can return to baseline after an event. Other tasks included quantitating exposure to events, averaging times of performance, determining the functional range for sensors, and determining correlation and linearity among models. [23:25] Sensor performance based on sources is evaluated and found to be insensitive to building temperature. Further analysis showed that this temperature defect was a light and optical defect. Sensors are, however, significantly sensitive to humidity. Dr. Clark expands on performance as a function of size, which was evaluated to show calibration for a specific particle size. His takeaways from his research and literature help make predictions on the drift or long-term changes in performance. [31:11] Dr. Clark concludes with gas sensors and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) detection. A total VOC sensor in low-cost particle sensor devices has limitations compared to a colorimetric Formaldehyde Sensor. The predictive abilities examined using machine learning and low-cost sensors didn't lead to any concrete conclusions. [36:08 ] Q & A session with Dr. Clark. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support...

In this recorded conference session (Tech Seminar 2022), David Space (former Boeing engineer) spoke about the airplane operating environment, how an airplane Environmental Control System (ECS) works, air filtration advancements over time, and how the air distribution system and airplane design features control for air quality and spread of disease. Review the slides: ⁠https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/LEPxPrUWAK⁠ For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode: [2:01] David describes the airplane operating environment and how an environmental control system has multiple functions, such as maintaining cabin pressure anti-icing systems, cargo heat, and ventilation. [3:00] David describes how an ECS system continuously circulates outside air when it enters the engine and into a mixing chamber, where it is mixed with recirculated air. This 50/50 mix is distributed to the cabin and exits the airplane through valves. [4:33] David begins his review of the history of air filtration and advancements in aircraft with the Boeing Stratoliner, the first aircraft to implement air recirculation in 1945. After that, NASA research led to the application of HEPA filters for recirculated air, allowing for less fuel waste without compromising the quality of the cabin air. David Space participated in this research in 2002 and expanded on carbon air purification and filter capture methods for HEPA research in 2015 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs. [7:28] David Space analyzes a graph comparing airplane filtration to filtration in other modes of transportation and in environments such as hospitals and office buildings. [8:18] What do the latest statistics show on the spread of disease? The industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic; international flights dropped by 75% in 2019, and few reports on the spread of COVID during flights were available. [9:50] The Department of Defense used United Airlines for an eight-day study with four days on the ground and four days in flight. Mannequins released particles in the air with simulated coughing and breathing mechanisms. Decay, also known as how soon the particles leave the cabin, occurred much quicker due to a higher air exchange rate. [15:21] David compares the ASHRAE 1262 in-flight research to another study he was a part of with American Airlines on the factors that affect comfort for passengers while in flight. They took this data to the Technical University of Denmark for more human subject research on air quality. They found that air purification could raise humidity and lower gaseous contaminants. David’s research continues at Rutgers to find that bio effluents are the primary contaminant due to the high density of people. [21:17] David presented actual measurements collected during flights across the Boeing fleet, indicating that the 787 has lower volatile organic compounds. The FAA adopted prescriptive regulations for ventilation systems, but David believes performance-based regulations would be better. He suggested implementing filtration systems to handle particulate matter and gaseous contaminants, which would improve passenger comfort and reduce engine emissions. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

NAFA recently published the Best Practices and Guidelines document, Filtration for Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Patrick Rosenthal, CAFS (lead author of this NAFA Guideline) will educate HVAC and air filtration professionals on what facility managers need to know about clean air in continuing care retirement communities. Download 2023 Best Practices and Guidelines Webinar Filtration for Continuing Care Retirement Communities Slide Deck Download Filtration for Continuing Care Retirement Communities Best Practices and Guideline About NAFA Air Filtration Best Practice Guidelines: What’s the difference between ASHRAE has Standard 52.2 and NAFA’s Best Practices and Guidelines? The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has minimum standards for air filtration. Organizations like the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) go beyond these minimum standards. NAFA publishes best practices and guidelines for several facility applications based on the experience and expertise of their membership, as well as current mandates and research provided by governmental and scientific communities. HVAC and air filtration professionals should use NAFA’s Best Practices and Guidelines as a tool to educate their clients on how to protect their facilities’ occupants. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

This week’s episode is a May 2021 presentation from Dr. Joseph G. Allen. Dr. Joseph G. Allen is an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-author of Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity. Dr. Allen directs the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard, where he created ‘the 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building’. He is also a Certified Industrial Hygienist and Deputy Director of the Harvard Center for Education and Research on Occupational Health and Safety. He has also been translating science to the business community and the general public, publishing more than 10 op-eds in leading newspapers and translating science into actionable tips for the public. Enjoy his presentation and a lively Q&A! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Hi, It’s Tony Veroeven, Associate Director of NAFA, and host of Talking Air Filtration. We’ve got a bunch of episodes on the docket to release over the next several weeks, most of which will be some of our conference content since we’ve gotten back in person. This episode is Dr. Shelly Miller, a professor and environmental engineer from the University of Colorado. As the COVID-19 pandemic moved across the world, scientists like Dr. Miller work around the clock to better understand how the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants are transmitted, the details of the symptoms and illness, and how to stop the spread of the virus She presented “Helping to Save the World from COVID-19: why an urban air pollution engineer got involved, and what she did to makes things better” at our Technical Seminar in April of 2022. Listen and you will hear to her outline her research into how air filtration can be used in the battle against COVID. Do your customers and colleagues a favor and share this episode with them! Enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

After a long break we’re back! It’s me, Tony Veroeven, Associate Director of NAFA. I met with Nitin Shanbhag and Jeff Thibodeau of Mikropor, an air filtration manufacturer. Our discussion took place in February at the 2022 AHR Expo in Las Vegas Nevada and discussed supply chain issues in air filtration including forecasting and having difficult conversations with customers who expect and need product. Some of the references to the pandemic might be outdated, but it's still a good listen. For more information about the National Air Filtration Association visit www.nafahq.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Get a preview of Don Stanley's topic, "How to Stand Above Your Competition and Become the Voice of Trust in a Noisy, Busy World" presented at the National Air Filtration Association's Annual Conference on October 11-13, 2022. How to Stand Above Your Competition and Become the Voice of Trust in a Noisy, Busy World The world of sales and marketing has fundamentally shifted (and continues to shift) to favor the wants and needs of our customers. The companies who embrace this reality are winning the attention and business over their competitors. In this session you will learn to adjust and adapt to the demands of today’s customers who are dramatically more informed, less patient, and want more control of the sales process; and how to attract the attention of the right customers, to stand out from your competitors and become the trusted voice in the industry. Visit: https://events.nafahq.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

NAFA Member panelists assembled for a webinar designed to answer your questions on air purifiers, bipolar ionization and UVC. The webinar will be moderated by Jeff Gradek, CAFS, NCT II, President, Filter Services Inc. Panelists included Keith Jordan, MBA from Sanuvox, Jose Senatore from AAF | Flanders, and Brad Sharp, CHC from Velocity Building Technical Services. Download the slides and watch the video at https://www.nafahq.org/webinar-covid-19-air-cleaning-trends-the-integration-of-air-purifiers-uv-c-and-bipolar-ionization/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

While the COVID-19 pandemic has focused on the importance of clean air and high-efficiency filters that benefit the air filtration industry as a whole, this increased attention combined with the need for filter media used in mask supply has led to shortages. These shortages are leading to hardships for our members and the industry. Watch the webinar on the current filter media supply chain challenges. Moderated by Joel S. Swann, CAFS, Applications Engineer, AAF|Flanders, our panelists explained the current media supply challenges and answer questions submitted by attendees as part of the registration process. Panelists: Watch the webinar on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ZapL8dgoLN8 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Meet Stormy Six-Poe, Facility Manager and Ernie Kelly of Filter Services of Indiana. Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium won a NAFA Clean Air Award in 2020. Learn about the award and how Six-Poe and Kelly work together to keep the facility's air clean and occupants safe! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

The following is the audio from a NAFA Webinar originally broadcast on October 21, 2020, titled, “Understanding ASHRAE’s Recommendations on Filtration and Disinfection for COVID19” The webinar was presented by Kathleen Owen, Fellow of ASHRAE, and moderated by NAFA board member, Mike Corbat, CAFS. You can find the link to the slides and the video recording here: https://www.nafahq.org/webinar-understanding-ashraes-recommendations-on-filtration-and-disinfection-for-covid19/ or visit www.nafahq.org. Look for the “covid 19” menu dropdown. The recording started a bit late so you’ll join Mike’s intro of Kathleen in progress. Enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Will Denton, CAFS, NCTI, NCTII walks NAFA's Tony Veroeven through the Clean Air Award and its judging criteria. The Clean Air Award is a program designed to recognize facilities with applied best practices in air filtration. It's one of the most underused yet valuable member benefits the National Air Filtration Association offers! Watch an interview with one of last year's Clean Air Awards, mentioned in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKOgm... Visit https://www.nafahq.org/nafa-programs/... for more information! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Determining your shipment’s freight class is a critical step in effectively managing your supply chain. With impending NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification®) changes scheduled for April 25, including a change to Filter Stock, Paper, NMFC 150970, the classification change could produce a 17-55% increase in rates. Ascent’s transportation experts address the most common questions and areas of confusion that relate to freight class and NMFC rules. Listen to refresh your knowledge of ever-changing shipping criteria and learn how Ascent can mitigate rate increases through its carrier negotiation capabilities. Visit this FAQ page for more information about the NMFC changes. Listen to Tony Veroeven, Brooks Wise and Matt Lacy discuss and tear down the changes and how they might affect shippers. Who Should Listen? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Susan Frew is the co-owner and president of Sunshine, Plumbing, Heating & Air in Colorado. Susan also speaks nationally as a keynote speaker, as was scheduled to speak at the 2020 Technical Seminar. Unfortunately the Seminar was canceled due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Our conversation includes how she grew her plumbing & HVAC business by taking care of customers with outstanding service. She also shares how she came to own a business in this industry. It was great to speak to a speaker from the industry. We hope to host Susan at a future NAFA Event. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Tony interviewed Nadia Sabeh, PhD., aka "Dr. Greenhouse" at the AHR Expo in Orlando, FL in January of 2020. Learn about how she approaches and handles her client's indoor agriculture operations and the challenges of a controlled environment. Some of her clients include those who grow cannabis, which has some unique challenges. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

As we all socially distance and stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some may be asking themselves what else can they do to ‘flatten the curve’. While handwashing and staying home remain the most effective means of limiting the spread of the virus, there is conflicting information surfacing about the role and efficacy of air-filters. “It is important for people to understand how air-filtration systems are supposed to work,” says Prof. Jeffrey Siegel, a professor in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto and an expert in indoor air quality. “Some may be frightened with the situation we are all facing right now, but the best way to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities are with evidence-based information.” In this webinar version of our Talking Air Filtration podcast, Dr. Siegel will answer many questions including: Prof. Jeffrey Siegel is a professor in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto and an expert in indoor air quality. His research has looked at a wide variety of airborne particles and air cleaning approaches, however, he has not specialized in infectious diseases or viruses. This information is meant to supplement that coming from global, national, and local health authorities and is specifically meant to address an issue that is not currently well-addressed. Prof. Siegel is grateful for comments and edits from several including the following individuals and their review does not imply endorsement by any individual or institution. For more information, visit: https://www.nafahq.org/covid-19-corona-virus-and-air-filtration-frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ Please rate our podcast "5 stars" on iTunes if you like the show! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support

Get know Keith Jordan of Sanuvox based in Montreal, Canada. Tony Veroeven interviewed him at AHR in Orlando in January about his presentation that was supposed to take place at NAFA's 2020 Technical Seminar. The seminar was canceled because of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) but the content is still worth hearing. Learn how UV can supplement a successful IAQ plan and other applications. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nafahq/support