Talking Air Filtration

In this episode, speaker Kevin Young discussed the basic understanding of lean and the importance of understanding throughput time in any business process or part. These concepts force you to look at your business differently and help you to find waste. How do you sustain the results once you find the waste and implement a process to control it? Achieving process discipline and consistent results can be difficult in any new process or business. This session explains the major elements of a Lean Management System that any leader can implement in their business to achieve sustained results.

Download Kevin Young's PowerPoint here: https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/eGE5KsAW0K

For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode:

(0:00) Beginning of Episode.

(4:50) Kevin outlines LEAN and its two critical principles: throughput and waste. Throughput is the time it takes for a process or operation to complete. From administrative to payroll, to inventory, and production - all sources of build-up. Identifying waste throughout an operation is what LEAN aims to do to reduce waste. Kevin gives an example of throughput at a factory with visuals. There are three Japanese terms for waste; Muda is the first term and encompasses overproduction, waiting, transporting, overprocessing, motion, inventory, and defects. The second term is Mura and encompasses unevenness, meaning ups and downs of scheduling for orders and what is produced. The third term is Muri, which encompasses overburden and is difficult to see as waste because it is visible in equipment or machine downtime and overburdening workers.

[12:10] Kevin discusses how waste build-up can lead to chaos, instability, time mismanagement, and the failure to address problems as soon as possible. Overall, no value to add.

[13:44] Kevin describes the tiers in detail and gives an example of how he utilized the four tiers: standard work, visual management, accountability meetings, and discipline.

[22:17] Accountability meeting: an opportunity to set a timeline, track metrics, and an opportunity to give or ask for help and resources. How often they occur depends on the actions and their frequency. Kevin stresses the importance of ensuring action will take place after goals are set during a meeting.

[25:23] Discipline—what are our roles as managers/leaders? If we set up our process correctly, we should run it correctly, and the metrics will come in. A second-level layered process audit helps manage a process by nipping an issue in the bud, whether it's an employee hesitant to do something due to lack of training or being overburdened.

[27:30] What does a tiered management structure look like? Kevin goes into detail about each tier and its designated role in problem-solving. Overall, the tier system ensures a standardized way of managing escalations and helps bring them down.

NAFA Clean Air Award panel featuring air filtration professionals Will Denton, CAFS, NCT II, and Sharon Needham, CAFS, NCT, engaging in dialogue with Moderator Brandon Deilgat to inform fellow air filtration professionals on navigating the marketplace and industry. They discuss the most relevant certifications demonstrating the best principles and application of air filtration technology and the Clean Air Awards.

Download Brandon Deilgat's PowerPoint:https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/Ehd2IHehEg

For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode:

(0:00) Beginning of episode

[3:52] Will describes what being a Certified Air Filtration Specialist (CAFS) means to NAFA and why air filtration professionals should consider receiving the certification. The benefits are numerous, including the credibility needed to stand out in today's market, the ability to remain up to date and evolve with the industry and its technology, and the potential for increased sales numbers as well-informed problem solvers and certified guides for customers in air filtration products. Wills’ pro tip for companies is to attach the earning potential of their sales team to becoming certified, further incentivizing the process.

[11:25] Will and Sharon discuss the two levels of NAFA certification, the Certified Air Filter Specialist (CAFS) and the NCTII. They explain the rapid implementation of techniques and best practices that these certifications offer. The program and guide only forces companies or professionals to specialize in something other than something. Installation knowledge is essential - air filtration is only as good as how it was installed.

[17:17] The Clean Air Awards are based on a comprehensive points system that evaluates various aspects of a company's commitment to clean air. This system encourages companies to participate as an internal incentive for professionals. Winning this award is an excellent opportunity for companies to solidify partnerships with the customer and their facility. The mentality among manufacturers holds them back from utilizing NAFA certification opportunities to help them stand out as credible professionals.

[25:04] Statistics show that the Clean Air Awards are not as widely examined as they could be, and the number of active Certified Air Filter Specialists (CAFS) per company is relatively low. This presents a significant opportunity for companies to stand out and demonstrate their commitment to clean air. Planning for the future should involve inclusive efforts to network with customers who value a clean air award.

Growing crops indoors allows farmers to control many production variables, including water, nutrients, lighting, and climate. Keeping the air free and clear of contaminants also improves crop quality and yield and helps to ensure consumer and food safety. Many indoor farmers use a combination of air filters, air purification systems, and good sanitation practices to avoid and eliminate mold spores, bacteria, VOCs, chemicals, and other potential sources of contamination in their facilities. In this presentation, Dr. Sabeh will review the efficacy and necessity of using various technologies that are commonly used and sometimes misused in indoor plant environments, including cannabis.

Download Dr. Nadia's slide deck: https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/EPQJLlrXJ7

For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode:

[6:03] Dr Nadia begins with an introduction to the indoor farm and what defines it; she describes the many types that exist to date and the many names it goes by. She showcases the array of crops possible with indoor farms, including but not limited to leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and even certain fruits and vegetables.

[9:43] Indoor farming has numerous benefits. It allows for a high crop density, conserves water, reduces waste, and enables eco-friendly pest management. Evolving technology maintains an ideal indoor space, maximizing profitability while minimizing risk and ensuring consumer safety. This has sparked a new era of sustainable and efficient farming.

[11:41] Dr. Nadia defines a controlled environment as variables such as pests, climate, and irrigation that can be controlled.

[12:09] Dr. Nadia explores the critical role of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems in indoor farming. Firstly, these systems maintain optimal temperature, humidity, and air movement, which is crucial for plant growth. Secondly, HVAC systems play a vital role in controlling air quality. Plants require specific levels of carbon dioxide and other gases to grow, and some gases like ethylene and formaldehyde can be harmful to plants in particular doses and at different times of the year. Additionally, plant-emitted gases such as Cannabis odor can be challenging to measure, but they can be filtered out at low concentrations to improve air quality. Particulates such as dust and smoke can also harm crops, mainly if neighboring facilities do not filter their air. Finally, Dr. Nadia describes how insect pests and plant pathogens can threaten crops and how they can be transmitted.

[25:26] Dr. Nadia breaks down the technologies and techniques for providing clean air to crops based on the plants' needs. The top priorities are managing CO2 levels to provide for crops and sustain worker health exposure to CO2. Dilute infected air is essential. Particle filtration is possible due to variances in screen sizes and MERV filters. HEPA is only useful for people because plant viruses are transmitted by contact, not air. Dr. Nadia discusses irradiation, ozonation, odor control, and room pressurization. She highlights the importance of sanitation and maintaining a clean environment for good air quality.

[39:02] Q & A session with Dr. Nadia.

Zach Konway explores air pollutants and the sensor technologies available to measure pollutants. Gain insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various sensor technologies. Tackle industry myths and facts as they pertain to air quality monitoring. Learn the advantages of continuous air quality monitoring and how air quality data may be leveraged with purification and ventilation for a healthier building environment.

View the slides from Mr. Konway's presentation:

https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/mqqbmdCH4E

For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode:

[3:42] Mr. Konway introduces indoor air quality and the benefits of measuring it. One of the first techniques was the use of canaries in coal mines. Continuous air quality ensures that concerns are addressed before they become widespread. Other benefits include saving energy without compromising the environment of an infrastructure or the occupants' health. Clean air is due to removing pollutants at the source and infrastructure material that doesn’t compromise health and efficient clean air devices.

[8:18] Mr. Konway focuses on the following pollutants and their sensor technologies, starting with particulate matter, the most harmful and common air pollutant. Studies have shown a correlation between high concentrations of this pollutant and a drop in productivity. Carbon dioxide can affect cognitive function. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) commonly enter a building through materials such as paint and carpet. Radon is the second cause of lung cancer after smoking. The last pollutant he covers is ozone, formed from high voltage and reactions with Nox or VOCs, UV light, and oxygen.

[24:56] Mr. Konway describes relative humidity's role in transmitting a pathogen or virus in occupied spaces.

[25:52]Mr. Konway reviews how IAQ data gives insight into the filtration system and slows down viral spread. It can assist building management in ensuring that radon is not present, showing that the equipment is working properly and when efficiency decreases.

[28:35] Mr. Konway reviews the key benchmarks to strive for when monitoring occupied spaces, including the concentration of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, radon, relative humidity, and volatile organic compounds.

[29:51] Mr. Konway concludes with key takeaways from his presentation, including device utilization, calibration, and what gases it will measure. Other considerations should focus on evaluating air quality monitoring companies and the project's goals.

Recent Updates and Upgrades to ASHRAE SSPC 52.2 - SSPC 52.2 has made many updates and upgrades over the last few years to improve the standard. Many of those updates are meant to increase the repeatability and reproducibility of intra and inter-lab test results. Recent upgrades include an optional method to determine filter efficiency in removing or inactivating airborne viruses and bacteria. The addition of a Particulate Matter (PM) calculated filter efficiency by using currently available data points from the 52.2 test. This session will summarize in detail all the updates and upgrades and touch on what is next for 52.2.

View the slides from Mr. McGrath's presentation:

https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/ACqyqKb6fQ

For detailed show notes, read below and

[1:50]

[5:11]

[5:43]

[7:37] Mr. McGrath examines the removal of MERV 17 and what led to that reference removal, as well as MERV 18, 19 and 20 references.

[10:04] Recent Upgrades to 52.2 in the last year or two, including the addition of PM 52.2 filter efficiency based on a flat distribution curve and using E-values.

[13:31] The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to

[17:00] Mr. McGrath concludes with current

A poolside chat with Bob Burkhead about lessons learned from testing, developing, and using air filters - Moderated by Tom Justice.

View the slides from Mr. Burkhead's presentation:

For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode:

[5:38] Bob Burkhead and Tom Justice explore the trends for testing products for filtration. Indoor air quality is more than just filters. The issues are efficiency degradation, chamber testing, and ISO 17025 Lab certification.

[10:30] Mr. Burkhead discusses efficiency degradation in detail, using an efficiency over time graph to illustrate a scenario involving filtration in a surgery room.  

[14:37] Mr. Burkhead describes chamber testing and variations in techniques assembled for the ideal filtration application. He compares a single-pass testing method to a multi-pass testing method. A new room air testing standard involving a recirculating loop is currently being worked on.

[17:42] Mr. Burkhead concludes with the value of ISO 17025 Lab Certification, which provides validation and credentials for overall operation and focuses on continuous improvement. The structured decision rules and methodology should include the rest of the world.

[22:29] Q & A session with Mr. Burkhead.

This episode is from NAFA’s Tech Seminar, recorded in April 2022. Our speaker was Dr. Jordan Clark from The Ohio State University. As in many engineering problems, the control of our indoor environments is rapidly moving from a prescriptive, rule-of-thumb paradigm to an entirely data-driven paradigm enabled by the Internet of things. The first step in such a shift is generating data reliably and cheaply with low-cost sensing.  To this end, we will look at several studies of the performance of low-cost airborne pollutant sensors, and will discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and application domain. Finally, we will look at some things we can do with these sensors once they are robust and reliable.

View the slides from

⁠Dr. Jordan Clark's presentation⁠.

For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode:

[2:08] Dr. Clark describes the engineering controls for air filtration in buildings. Prescribed ventilation rates and filter rates mean releasing quantities of air and waiting for feedback. We don’t have performance-based metrics or real-time feedback to avoid high costs of money and energy. An aging electrical infrastructure can’t keep up with grid peak times in buildings across all sectors and homes. 

[5:07] Dr. Clark examines the evolution of prescribed air rates within Standard 62 over time from an ASHVE article. In the late 19th century, the germ theory was developed, starting the hygiene revolution that influenced the implementation of natural air ventilation. In the middle of the 20th century, central air conditioning and heating were adopted and costly.

The energy crisis at the beginning of the 1980s caused the ventilation rate to decrease. Now, the ventilation rate is prescribed per person per floor area. What we should expect in the future post-pandemic is still ambiguous. One idea is to treat buildings like hospitals to reduce the

transmission of viruses. We require a reevaluation of ventilation rates and consumption of energy.

[9:39] Dr. Clark reviews the US Department of Energy's depiction of a grid-interactive, efficient building of the future. However, there is no mention of air quality, and that is what Dr. Clark is working on.

[10:38] The first step to getting that data is using the hardware to measure quality in real-time.

Air quality sensors constantly evolve, but the current focus is on low-cost particle sensors, which cost about $1,000 USD. Dr. Clark reviews the anatomy of this device.

[15:15] Dr. Clark describes his performance testing as field testing with naturally occurring particle sources like gravel roads and highways. Other sources were created in the form of essential home functions like cooking. A comparison of devices and measured the sensor detection of events and if the sensor can return to baseline after

an event. Other tasks included quantitating exposure to events, averaging times of performance, determining the functional range for sensors, and determining correlation and linearity among models.

[23:25] Sensor performance based on sources is evaluated and found to be insensitive to building temperature. Further analysis showed that this temperature defect was a light and optical defect. Sensors are, however, significantly sensitive to humidity. Dr. Clark expands on performance as a function of size, which was evaluated to show calibration for a specific particle size. His takeaways from his research and literature help make predictions on the drift or long-term changes in performance.

[31:11] Dr. Clark concludes with gas sensors and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) detection. A total VOC sensor in low-cost particle sensor devices has limitations compared to a colorimetric Formaldehyde Sensor. The predictive abilities examined using machine learning and low-cost sensors didn't lead to any concrete conclusions.

 [36:08 ] Q & A session with Dr. Clark.

In this recorded conference session (Tech Seminar 2022), David Space (former Boeing engineer) spoke about the airplane operating environment, how an airplane Environmental Control System (ECS) works, air filtration advancements over time, and how the air distribution system and airplane design features control for air quality and spread of disease.

Review the slides: ⁠https://amped.egnyte.com/dl/LEPxPrUWAK⁠

For detailed show notes, read below and use the timestamps to navigate the episode: 

[2:01] David describes the airplane operating environment and how an environmental control system has multiple functions, such as maintaining cabin pressure anti-icing systems, cargo heat, and ventilation. 

[3:00] David describes how an ECS system continuously circulates outside air when it enters the engine and into a mixing chamber, where it is mixed with recirculated air. This 50/50 mix is distributed to the cabin and exits the airplane through valves.  

[4:33] David begins his review of the history of air filtration and advancements in aircraft with the Boeing Stratoliner, the first aircraft to implement air recirculation in 1945. After that, NASA research led to the application of HEPA filters for recirculated air, allowing for less fuel waste without compromising the quality of the cabin air. David Space participated in this research in 2002 and expanded on carbon air purification and filter capture methods for HEPA research in 2015 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs.  

[7:28] David Space analyzes a graph comparing airplane filtration to filtration in other modes of transportation and in environments such as hospitals and office buildings.  

[8:18] What do the latest statistics show on the spread of disease? The industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic; international flights dropped by 75% in 2019, and few reports on the spread of COVID during flights were available. 

[9:50] The Department of Defense used United Airlines for an eight-day study with four days on the ground and four days in flight. Mannequins released particles in the air with simulated coughing and breathing mechanisms. Decay, also known as how soon the particles leave the cabin, occurred much quicker due to a higher air exchange rate. 

[15:21] David compares the ASHRAE 1262 in-flight research to another study he was a part of with American Airlines on the factors that affect comfort for passengers while in flight. They took this data to the Technical University of Denmark for more human subject research on air quality. They found that air purification could raise humidity and lower gaseous contaminants. David’s research continues at Rutgers to find that bio effluents are the primary contaminant due to the high density of people. 

[21:17]

NAFA recently published the Best Practices and Guidelines document, Filtration for Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

Patrick Rosenthal, CAFS (lead author of this NAFA Guideline) will educate HVAC and air filtration professionals on what facility managers need to know about clean air in continuing care retirement communities.

Download 2023 Best Practices and Guidelines Webinar Filtration for Continuing Care Retirement Communities Slide Deck

Download Filtration for Continuing Care Retirement Communities Best Practices and Guideline

About NAFA Air Filtration Best Practice Guidelines:

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has minimum standards for air filtration.

Organizations like the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) go beyond these minimum standards. NAFA publishes best practices and guidelines for several facility applications based on the experience and expertise of their membership, as well as current mandates and research provided by governmental and scientific communities.

HVAC and air filtration professionals should use NAFA’s Best Practices and Guidelines as a tool to educate their clients on how to protect their facilities’ occupants.

This week’s episode is a May 2021 presentation from Dr. Joseph G. Allen.

Dr. Joseph G. Allen is an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-author of Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity.

Dr. Allen directs the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard, where he created ‘the 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building’. He is also a Certified Industrial Hygienist and Deputy Director of the Harvard Center for Education and Research on Occupational Health and Safety.

He has also been translating science to the business community and the general public, publishing more than 10 op-eds in leading newspapers and translating science into actionable tips for the public.

Enjoy his presentation and a lively Q&A!