Gas-Powered Equipment

From the 1950s until the late 1980s, most duct cleaning contractors used truck mounts, trailer mounts, and other gasoline-powered equipment for “source-removal” duct cleaning. This method involves the use of special compressed air tools to blast loose dirt and debris, and a vacuum unit to pull dislodged materials out of the building.

The unit is parked outside of the building. Long lengths of ducting are used to connect to the HVAC system.

Gas-powered systems are effective, but they can pose potential problems related to recontamination. Most units can exhaust the entire air volume of a home in less than 10 minutes, which can place the entire home under negative (lower) pressure compared to the air pressure outdoors.

Since these units often are equipped with low-efficiency filter bags, users must take care that fine particulates that pass through the bags are not drawn back into the lower pressure building.

HEPA-Filtered Vacuums

The development of electric-powered, portable duct cleaning vacuums eliminated the negative pressure recontamination issue. Since 1990, the vast majority of duct-cleaning professionals have opted to use electric units.

Like gasoline units, electric portable vacuums are used to place the ductwork under negative pressure. However, instead of pulling conditioned air outdoors, these units recirculate filtered air back into the building. Because the air is not exhausted from the building, electric units do not create negative pressure indoors.

However, in order to safely recirculate filtered air back into the occupied indoor space, it is essential that the vacuum’s filtration system be capable of capturing virtually 100 percent of the particulates pulled out of the duct system. This level of performance requires that the vacuum be equipped with a true HEPA filter to function as the last line of defense against potentially health-threatening contaminants. Use of a filter that does not meet HEPA performance requirements can have serious consequences.

What Is A True HEPA Filter?

HEPA filters were originally developed for the Atomic Energy Commission during World War II to capture microscopic radioactive particles in facilities involved with the Manhattan (atomic bomb) Project. These filters are specified today for a wide range of critical filtration applications.

According to the most current definition, a HEPA filter is “an extended-medium, dry-type filter in a rigid frame, having a minimum particle-collection efficiency of 99.97 percent for 0.3-micron particles of thermally generated DOP (dioctyl phthalate) or specified alternate aerosol.”

To put 0.3-micron particle size in perspective, the diameter of a human hair is 50 to 200 microns. Most of us can’t see particles smaller than 10 to 20 microns.

To achieve a 99.97-percent efficiency rating, the penetration (leakage) of the test aerosol through the filter must not exceed 0.03 percent. In other words, no more than three out of 10,000 particles can pass through.

Close doesn’t count. For example, a 99.5-percent-efficiency filter might sound pretty good, but such a filter would allow almost 17 times more penetration than a true HEPA filter.

HEPA Regulations And Guidelines

Leading manufacturers of HEPA filters follow the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) “Recommended Practices” governing HEPA filter manufacturing and testing. The most pertinent of these practices include:

IEST-RP-CC001.3 (HEPA and ULPA filters); and

IEST-RP-CC021.1 (Testing HEPA and ULPA filter media).

There are six categories of HEPA filters under the IEST standards: Type A, B, C, D, E, and F. Minimum efficiency requirements range from 99.97 percent at 0.3 microns (Type A) to 99.999 percent at 0.1 to 0.2 microns (Type F).

The IEST guidelines encompass a number of standards developed by other standards-generating organizations, including Underwriters Laboratories (UL), ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), and ANSI (American National Standards Institute). For example, flammability requirements are specified in the UL900 standard. At a minimum, filters used in HVAC applications should meet UL900, Class II requirements.

A filter that does not meet at least Type A IEST requirements cannot be accurately classified as a true HEPA filter. These requirements include:

True HEPA media — To build a true HEPA filter, the filter manufacturer must first start with true HEPA filter media in accordance with IEST-RP-CC021.1.

100 percent testing of completed filters — Manufacturing a filter using HEPA media does not ensure that the completed filter meets HEPA requirements. Only 100 percent testing of the completed filters can enable the filter manufacturer to ensure users that the filter efficiency meets IEST requirements.

Filter labeling — Once tested, each filter must have a label affixed to it indicating the manufacturer, filter model/serial numbers, test airflow, pressure drop, airflow direction, and the percent penetration.

Completed filter testing and labeling are the most crucial steps in the process, and the ones where shortcuts are most often taken. An untested filter could leak like a sieve due to breaches in the HEPA media or leakage between the pleated HEPA media pack and the filter frame.

Particleboard-Frame Filters And Mold

Particleboard-frame HEPA filters are not recommended for duct cleaning or for other HVAC applications. These filters are typically 20 percent to 30 percent less expensive than filters constructed with metal frames. However, this material has some significant inherent disadvantages in HVAC applications.

First of all, particleboard can support microbial growth. It can also off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, and is subject to warping, swelling, and cracking when exposed to high moisture or humidity levels, or to temperature extremes.

Since these conditions may be present in an HVAC system, and because these are precisely the conditions that generally accompany mold problems, metal frame filters are a must for duct-cleaning vacuums.

Test The Machine

Regular testing of the overall filtration efficiency of electric duct-cleaning vacuums is also a very good practice whenever the HEPA filter is replaced, or if the unit appears to be damaged in any way.

Ongoing testing helps to ensure that the HEPA filter has not been damaged in any way, and that it is properly sealed to the unit. This testing can pinpoint specific problem areas, so filter leaks can be repaired prior to using the machine.

Testing of the vacuum also helps ensure that problems unrelated to filter leakage have not compromised the overall integrity of the machine.

Don’t Cut Corners

Using substandard or untested filters can save a few bucks, but with all that is at stake, why risk it? Here are a few commonsense recommendations that could save you a lot of money and provide greater peace of mind:

Clearly specify that HEPA filters purchased for original equipment or as replacements meet IEST-RP-CC001.3 requirements for 99.97-percent efficiency, Type A HEPA filters.

Require your equipment supplier to certify in writing that the filters you purchase meet the IEST performance requirements. In particular, require certification from them that each and every completed filter has been individually penetration tested in accordance with IEST-RP-CC001.3.

Inspect incoming HEPA filters to ensure that they have been tested and labeled as required.

Purchase only HEPA filters authorized by the manufacturer for use in that device.

Make certain that all duct-cleaning vacuum filters are tested and certified to meet the flammability requirements of UL 900, Class II (including prefilters), and that the filters are so labeled.

Test HEPA filtration de-vices regularly and make necessary repairs before using the equipment.

Use only metal-frame HEPA filters in HVAC applications.

Add expanded metal face guards to protect the exposed side of the filter media. These guards help minimize damage to the media and are well worth the modest added cost.

Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. As with automobiles, the quality, reliability, and performance of duct cleaning vacuums is all over the map. Use only quality products purchased from reputable manufacturers, and beware of bargain deals or used equipment.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If it seems like a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

Shagott is president of Abatement Technologies Inc. For more information, visit www.abatement.com and www.moldabatementproducts.com. Shagott can be reached at 800-634-9091 or iaqinfo@abatement.com.

Publication date: 03/17/2003