Managing dust and dangerous particulate matter on the job site is an important part of demolition safety. One of the most important pieces of equipment for demolition safety is the air filter. Air filters come in two main varieties: Negative Air Machines (NAMs) and air scrubbers. While both are effective at removing contaminants from the air, they work in different ways. It’s important to understand the difference between these two types of filters in order to choose the right one for your project.
What is a Negative Air Machine (NAM)?
Negative air machines, also known as construction air filters, are devices that work to improve indoor air quality. These machines are often used during construction or renovation projects, as they can help to remove airborne contaminants such as dust, pollen, and mold spores.
How Does a Negative Air Machine Work?
Negative air machines are an essential tool for any commercial contractor. These machines work by using a powerful fan to draw air out of the work area, and discharging it to the exterior of the building, creating negative pressure. This helps to prevent airborne particles from spreading throughout the space and contaminating the work site.
Negative air machines are often used in conjunction with other air filtration systems, such as HEPA filters, to create a safe and clean working environment. When used properly, negative air machines can effectively remove harmful contaminants from the air, protecting both workers and the general public.
What are the Benefits of Using a Negative Air Machine in Construction Projects?
Negative Air Machines have many advantages for those in the contracting business as well as homeowners.
- One key advantage is that a NAM creates negative pressure inside the contained area. This lowers the chances of contaminated air escaping and keeps mold and other airborne contaminants sequestered.
- For contractors, Negative Air Machines can help to improve job site safety and reduce downtime by reducing the amount of dust and other airborne contaminants.
- Negative Air Machines can also help to improve indoor air quality in homes and offices, making them more comfortable for occupants.
- For homeowners, NAMs can help to reduce the amount of dust and other allergens in the home, making it easier to breathe for those with allergies or asthma.
- Negative Air Machines are also effective at reducing odors from cooking, smoking, or pets.
What are the Differences Between Negative Air Machines and Air Scrubbers?
Negative air machines and air scrubbers are both types of construction air filters. Negative air machines work by using a powerful fan to draw in contaminated air, pulling it through a series of filters. The contaminated air is then discharged out of the space to the exterior or to a different room. Air scrubbers, on the other hand, work by recirculating the room’s air through a series of filters. This filtered air is then discharged back into the room.
Both Negative air machines and air scrubbers are effective at reducing airborne contaminants, but Negative air machines are more powerful and can achieve higher levels of filtration since the bad air is removed completely from the space.
When should you use a Negative Air Machine instead of an air scrubber?
Negative air machines are used to cleanse air in a variety of locations and applications, including national disasters, construction sites, mold remediation, painting, grinding and welding shops. They may also be utilized to set negative or positive pressure Isolation rooms, which are useful for enclosing airborne pollutants.
Negative air machines are typically used in commercial applications such as
- Medical facilities – Negative air pressure machines take advantage of the fact that air always tries to move from areas with higher pressure to those with lower pressure, in order to equalize the two. By directing unfiltered air towards HEPA filtration units instead of letting it mix with filtered air in patient rooms, these units make it easier to control infection and contain dust.
- Construction sites – During mold cleanup or restoration, a Negative Air Machine is used to filter air and prevent contaminated air from entering other parts of the building. Negative Air Pressure assists in the collection and confinement of airborne contaminants like dust, smoke, gases, fungus, and mold.
- Large warehouses and food plants where air quality testing is required
How do You Choose the Right Negative Air Machine for Your Project?
First you need to know the total volume of air (cubic feet) to be filtered. To get this information multiply the width of the room times the length of the room times the height. Multiply this number by the recommended number of air changes per hour then divide by 60. This will tell you the size of the machine(s) you need to properly filter the air in that room.
For instance, if you are working in a room that is 12′ x 20′ x 8′ high, you would have 1920 cubic feet of air. If the room required 6 air changes per hour, you would multiply that times 6 giving you 11,520. Divide by 60 to give you the necessary CFM of your NAM. That number is 192. Should your room need 10 air changes per hour, the CFM requirement for your NAM would be 320.
Pro Tool & Supply carries Negative Air Machines as well as other air quality equipment for sale or rental. Shop online or call 1-866-405-2985 to speak with a Pro Tool & Supply representative for more information.
