BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the latest installment of the HFA Design Thinking Blog Series, Mechanical Designer Nathan Meehan examines how Mechanical air filtration can not only create a welcoming space but a healthy one, especially in the era of COVID-19.
"Particulate filters are nothing new, and as such, their importance can easily be overlooked as a staple of any HVAC system. They are often neglected as part of a recommended maintenance routine, even when it's evident to the naked eye that they're accomplishing something great for the space," said Meehan.
What particulate filters are the best for curbing the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in workplaces to keep everyone who walks through the door healthy? While there is no tried and true blanket approach, looking to reputable sources like ASHRAE, for instance, is a step in the right direction. At HFA, this direction led to an upgrade to MERV 13 in the compatible HVAC systems.
"MERV ratings are given out based on a range of efficiency at capturing those slightly larger 0.3-micron particles. The more efficient, the higher the rating. The coronavirus family resides in the 0.1-micron range," said Meehan.
Meehan concludes, "However, virus particles alone aren't just emitted from an infected host. Instead, they are contained in droplets or aerosols containing water, saliva, other organic materials, and proteins, which altogether are at or well over 1 micron in size. These aerosolized droplets are easily captured by MERV filters and above, with higher MERV ratings capturing slightly smaller particles but with much higher financial and pressure loss costs."
As a company, HFA has 30 years of experience in various industries that give us the unique ability to use that knowledge and expertise to help further the architecture and engineering industry, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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About HFA
Founded in 1990, HFA is a full-service Architecture and Engineering firm with locations in Bentonville, AR; Franklin, MA; Fort Worth, TX; and Mexico City, MX. Focused on designing for the customer experience, HFA works coast to coast with retail, real estate development, office, industrial, fueling, restaurant/food service, lifestyle, and education clients.
Contact: Daryl Whitmer, Director of Marketing and Business Development, (479) 273−7780 ext. 274 or daryl.whitmer@hfa−ae.com.
SOURCE HFA
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