Many of the commercial air cleaners that are available on the market are capable of removing common viruses and germs from indoor air. They can also remove harmful particles like smoke, dust and pollutants. However, it’s important to remember that they should be used in conjunction with additional infection prevention strategies such as hand sanitizer, PPE disposal, surface disinfection and social distancing.
There are many different types of commercial air cleaner and not all of them are created equal. Some use subtractive technology such as filters to remove contaminants, while others use additive technologies like ozone or ionizers. In order to find the best commercial air purifier for your business, you should look for ones that have been tested and approved by a third party. They should also be capable of processing large volumes of air quickly and efficiently.
In addition to being effective at reducing the spread of harmful airborne contaminants, commercial air cleaners should be easy to operate and maintain. They should also be able to be adjusted based on the needs of your business. Make sure the one you choose is compatible with your facility’s HVAC system and has an easy-to-read display with clear settings and programmable features.
Depending on the size of your space and the kinds of contaminants you want to target, you can choose between portable or central system options. Portable air purifiers are ideal for high traffic areas that need to be cleaned frequently, such as restrooms, breakrooms, lobby spaces and cubicle farms. For more sensitive areas, such as the vice president of sales’ or human resources’ offices, central systems are often preferred.
The number of air changes per hour (ACH) that a unit delivers is another important factor to consider. The higher the ACH, the more thorough the air cleaning. For example, a purifier with an ACH of 5 will replace a room’s entire volume of air five times in an hour. For a larger space, you’ll need multiple units to achieve the same effect.
Some manufacturers also offer units that feature a UV light or TiO2 catalyst to destroy airborne viruses and bacteria. This type of treatment is ideal for areas that require frequent disinfection or are prone to bacterial or viral outbreaks.
While commercial air cleaners are very effective at removing harmful airborne contaminants, they cannot be considered as a replacement for source control or ventilation. However, they can be beneficial in areas where ventilation is not possible without compromising indoor comfort or where outdoor pollution levels are high.