Disaster Archives - Abatement Technologies®

The Secrets of Negative Pressure Containment

The average hospital lasts more than 40 years, and often as many as 100 years. If you've ever considered buying an old house, or seen others do it on TV, you know just how much renovation and maintenance they require. Now multiply the square footage by more than 10, and you can imagine how much renovation is consistently needed in hospitals not only to keep them going but to continually improve services and meet changing building requirements.

While renovation and maintenance projects may pose little more than an inconvenience to homeowners, they require special attention in healthcare facilities because of the danger that airborne particles, spores, and pathogens released into the air by construction pose to patients. In order to carry out essential construction and maintenance work without harming patients, construction zones must be sealed off from patients, and air must be filtered and diverted away from vulnerable patients.

To do this, facilities must perform Negative Pressure Containment.

What is Negative Pressure Containment?

By its very definition, a negative pressure room has more air exiting it then entering. There is less air inside the room compared to the other rooms, hence why it is negative. What this does is ensures that any airflow outside of the HEPA exhaust is flowing into the room to fill that vacuum. Because airflow can only flow in one direction through the cracks or designated makeup air locations, the contaminants cannot escape the room. Always check regulations when exhausting inside a healthcare facility as regulations can vary.

How to create Negative Pressure Containment

There are four key steps to creating negative pressure containment:

1. Construct a physical barrier around the area.

Product Tip: You can do this with Abatement Technologies' AIRE GUARDIAN® SHIELD

2. Seal off any HVAC Returns

Tip: This ensures that dirty air does not escape into the rest of the building.

3. Filter air in the sealed room with a portable air scrubber (PAS)

Product Tip: Use a HEPA-AIRE® or PREDATOR® series Portable Air Scrubber (PAS) from Abatement Technologies.

4. Use a PAS (portable air scrubber) to exhaust the filtered air out the construction zone through duct work

Product Tip: Find compatible duct here

Get it right everytime

Before attempting to create negative pressure, use our air change calculator to determine your airflow needs. Once you’ve followed the four steps above, use a portable differential pressure monitor for the most accurate reading of your negative pressurization.

Ready to learn more about Abatement Technologies? Contact us today!

Disaster Restoration Solutions

Abatement Technologies® offers a full line of equipment, products and chemicals to help fire and water restoration contractors and mold abatement contractors increase productivity and dry structures faster. Our industry specialists are available to answer product questions or discuss drying solutions on your restoration job.

US and Canadian workplace safety regulations require certified electrical equipment.

OSHA safety regulations in the U.S. and CAN/CSA regulations in Canada require all electrical device models used in the workplace to conform to applicable safety standards. This means that the device must be submitted by the manufacturer to an OSHA Certified Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) such as UL, TUV, ETL or CSA for the specified certification testing.

HEPA filtration devices such as portable air scrubbers and axial and centrifugal air movers must conform to the UL507 “Fans and Blowers” standard. Devices with plastic cabinets (enclosures) that contain energized electrical components must be NRTL certified to conform to UL flammability standards (typically UL94HB) as well.

The unfortunate truth

A significant number of the HEPA filtration devices, air movers and other devices sold and in wide use today are not NRTL certified. This problem appears to be particularly prevalent with devices imported from Asia, but applies to some products made right here in North America as well. It’s possible that some of these products might comply if submitted to and tested by an NRTL, but it appears likely that at least some would fail.

It costs money to design and build products that can conform to these safety standards. Uncertified devices may be available at a lower price, but isn’t that like playing Russian roulette? Without the proper safety certifications how can you possibly know whether or not the product is safe? With all that could be at stake is the chance to perhaps save a few bucks up front a risk that you can really afford to take?

Product safety is one of our paramount concerns

That’s why each and every Abatement Technologies portable air scrubber and air mover model sold in the U.S. and Canada has been tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and certified to conform to UL507. All models made with polymer cabinets have also been NRTL tested and certified to conform to stringent UL94HB flammability standards.

Best Practices

All NRTL certified products must have an NRTL certification label attached to them to show that they are compliant. It might be a good time to take a few minutes to inspect your equipment and check for the labels. If they are not there it might be time to call your supplier and find out why. Or, it might be time to look for another brand that is certified.

If you need assistance finding compliant equipment, our sales representatives are happy to help! Contact Us

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