Camfil summarizes what healthcare facilities should know about air filtration and ASHRAE 170. Healthcare…the complexities of the overall medical system, the dependencies of our population, and ultimately the commitment to serving those needing care…drives the expectations of providing safe, clean medical environments. In meeting such a need, healthcare facilities accommodate significant levels of patient activity. In 2017 alone, there were over 35 million admissions in U.S. registered hospitals.
Hospitals today consume 2.5 times the energy of a normal commercial building. The over 7,000 hospitals in North America serve a uniquely vulnerable population facing everything from simple injuries to life threatening conditions. Clean air is an ingredient in the success factor of treatment and recovery and critical to reduce hospital acquired infections. In 2008, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers led the efforts to establish ASHRAE Standard 170 - a guideline for ventilation and air quality in healthcare facilities.
In 2017, the standard was advanced and updated by ASHRAE then adopted by Facilities Guidelines Institute. It is crucial for medical facilities personnel to understand the key elements of the updated standard and the factors to consider in optimizing healthcare air quality, while controlling, and even reducing operating expenses.
When it comes to indoor air quality, ventilation is a critical component - which takes into account volume of air, quality of air and air movement. The ASHRAE Standard 170 2017 Ventilation of Health Care Facilities defines ventilation system minimum requirements for healthcare facilities. The requirements include minimum air filter efficiencies which represent the expected percentage of particle capture. Particle capture efficiency is key and is impacted based on the filter media being used.
(slide…..) Healthcare facilities using air filter media with an electrostatic charge (slide) to achieve high initial efficiency will experience filter media quickly losing that charge and efficiency declining (slide…) . . . .causing reduced MERV rating performance resulting in filter efficiency dropping below minimum requirements. Since the defined filtration particle efficiencies are expected to be maintained at all times, Camfil recommends and fully supports using fine fiber media filters with MERV A values that equal MERV values, per ASHRAE Appendix J test standards established in 2007.
ASHRAE implemented standards require that air filters having MERV ratings be tested in an ASHRAE test duct (slide) following strictly defined methods and procedures. Camfil recommends that hospitals require comprehensive ASHRAE test reports detailing MERV and MERV A performance (slide) for all filters in use. This provides a hospital has an extra level of compliance assurance.
The latest 170 Standard also allows for saving energy by reducing air changes per hour in designated spaces. The Standard’s Table 7.1 identifies energy savings design parameters, and fan performance in a system plays a big part in the savings. Fan energy makes up a large percent of total energy spend in a hospital (slide) and optimizing air filtration selection and change-out points can cut fan energy consumption by as much as 30 - 50% (slide).
The ASHRAE 170 standard originated between ASHRAE and FGI (the Facility Guidelines Institute). The two organizations, with support of the American Society of Health Care Engineering, consented that the ASHRAE standard would be the best vehicle to drive and direct health care industry ventilation guidelines. In result, Standard 170 is updated on a four-year cycle in concert with documents published by FGI.
Camfil recommends every medical facility have an updated copy of the ASHRAE Standard 170 or a copy of the FGI Guidelines. It is important for all facilities to review their current programs versus the new recommendations, and act on complying with the latest guidelines. It could mean improved contaminant control and reduced facility operating costs. In the end, it’s about providing a safe, clean environment for those needing medical care. Please contact a Camfil representative for assistance with the updated Standard and help with improving your facility’s indoor air quality and energy saving efforts. Visit our website at www.camfil.us.
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