H.E.P.A. System

What is the H.E.P.A. System?

H.E.P.A. is an acronym and most commonly stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air (otherwise known as High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) The term itself refers to filters that have been is manufactured, tested and certified to meet Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) construction, performance and certification standards.

Process Overview

The highly advanced power and suction of NAT’s H.E.P.A. Filtered Vacuum System will first be connected to an air ducts, usually positioned near most basement furnaces. Several tools and connectors are then used to dislodge debris and other found contaminants. The attached pressurized vacuum then retrieves and force-pulls the pollutants out of the ductwork and through the entire filtration system, returning nothing but clean air back into the home or building. Once this unique system has been processed and completed, all access holes that may have been required for attachment are then professionally resealed as new, returning the system in question to a clean original state.

Source Removal Defined:

The term Source Removal refers to the method used by NAT technicians enabling the collection and removal of contaminants from all parts of a ductwork system(s), regardless of location or type of duct in any home or facility. NAT uses the most advanced H.E.P.A. Filtered Vacuum System available. The design and manufacturing of this device meets and/or exceeds OSHA, EPA, and NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) standards for cleaning air filled with common health toxins.

What is it that makes HEPA filters so efficient?

The extremely thin glass- fibre medium positioned within the filter captures microscopic particles that can easily pass through other filters by a combination of diffusion, interception and inertial impaction.

To qualify as a Type A HEPA filter, the filter must be able to capture at least 99.97% (9,997 out of 10,000) of the particles 0.3 microns. In size, these microns are approximately 300 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, and 25 to 50 times smaller than what a human eye can see.

To a HEPA filter, catching a one-micron particle (1/1,000,000 of a meter) is like stopping a cotton ball with a door screen.

Does the HEPA filter decrease in efficiency as more particles are collected?

No, they do not. Unlike electronic air cleaners and other air purification technologies that experience substantial loss of efficiency as they become dirty, NAT’s HEPA process does exactly the opposite. What typically occurs with HEPA filters; the more dirt collected within a HEPA filter, the more efficient the system becomes.

The Equipment

Part A

NAT uses the most highly advanced truck mounted, diesel powered vacuums and compressors on the market today. This specialized equipment is used in most Residential environments as well as in certain specific Commercial and Strata situations, pending access capabilities.

Part B

In situations where there is no access to use the truck equipment, NAT uses a uniquely designed portable HEPA power vac and various other agitation tools to ensure efficient state-of-the-art source removal.

NAT’s cleaning method is as follows:

Then, the use of the powerful HEPA-AIRE, HEPA Filtered Vacuum System to place the section of the duct system being cleaned under negative pressure and to pull dislodged contaminants out of the duct system to capture them.

A conventional HVAC duct system consists of a supply system of ducts to carry heated or cooled air from the furnace and/or air conditioner to various parts of the home, office or building, and a return duct system to bring fresh air back to the air handler to be heated or cooled again. The supply network consists of a main duct, which is what carries the air to smaller branch runs, which is directed straight to the desired location(s). The return network works in reverse.

NAT’s Source Removal Duct Cleaning Process

Relating to Commercial and Industrial Services

The HEPA-AIRE process utilizes a HEPA-AIRE portable power vac in tandem with agitation tools for efficient state-of-the-art source removal duct cleaning. This method enables professional duct cleaners to remove contaminants from all parts of the duct system, regardless of location or type of duct. Yet it is simple to perform and requires only a limited amount of access holes.

Here’s how it works:

1. The supply and return networks are “zoned,” or separated, so they can be cleaned independently. This is typically done by removing the furnace filter, inserting it into a plastic bag and reinserting it into the furnace.

2. NAT then makes an access hole, which is cut into the supply plenum and the vac hose from the HEPA-AIRE vacuum inlet is connected to the plenum with a quick-connect attachment collar. The powerful vacuum creates high velocity air movement within the supply ductwork to transport loosened dirt and contaminants out of the ductwork and into the vacuum’s filtration/collection system.

3. Each branch is cleaned separately starting with the branch farthest from the vacuum. The register and boot areas are blasted with compressed air, using the special air booster gun to push any dirt or debris into the branch run. This blows everything down to the main duct line.

4. Agitation devices are also used to dislodge caked on debris from inside main duct line surfaces.

5. The main run is then cleaned using the agitation devices and compressed air. This helps dislodge debris accumulated on the duct surfaces. The loosened debris is pulled backward toward the HEPA-AIRE portable power vacuum and captured in its multi-stage filtration/collection system. One-inch diameter access holes need to be cut only every 25 feet.

6. Once the supply side of the system has been completely cleaned, the return duct system is cleaned using the same method.

7. At this stage the coil, motor and blower, and blower compartment are cleaned.

8. Once the entire cleaning process is completed, all access holes are completely closed with the efficient caplugs and metal plates with a neoprine seal that seal off any leaking and make the duct systems easily accessible for repeat cleaning.

Where are HEPA filters used today?

NAT uses HEPA filters that are usually specified for applications where microscopic (unseen by the human eye) airborne particles and/or bio-pollutants could cause human health or product quality problems. Some of the most common users of the HEPA Filtered include military, pharmaceutical, electronic, nuclear, biological and medical facilities.