HEPA Filter Storage

*Glass Fiber HEPA filter shelf life.

Much study has been conducted with regard to the storage of HEPA filters and still our industry does not fully understand what would constitute an acceptable shelf life.
What is understood regarding HEPA storage?
1. Storage temperature should not exceed 120°F and should not fluctuate widely e.g. outdoors in trailers or sheds without climate control.
2. Storage humidity should not exceed 80% or fluctuate widely.
3. Filters should be stored with pleats orientated vertically so that the media is not placed under unnecessary stress.
4. Filters should be stored in manufacturer’s original packaging in a location that will not require frequent movement. Shock damage could occur to the delicate media from constant movement.
5. Media damage can occur from storage areas that come into close proximity with accidental fluid or chemical spills, spraying or fire.
If any adverse storage has occurred it is advisable to have your supplier or an independent test facility review the filters and if acceptable supply re-certification test data. Due to the aging effects on binder materials and possible uncertainty regarding storage conditions it is recommended that filters having been in storage for long periods are re-certified if they may be needed for critical applications or emergency situations. These recertification tests should not only test the filter efficiencies but also the mechanical integrity of the seals and media. Contact filter manufacturer for advice on testing for recertification.

*Note this discussion is related only to Glass Fiber (mechanical) HEPA filter media. The electrostatic charge of synthetic filter media is known to degrade under certain conditions and would require separate study.

Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIR’s)

Requirements and guidelines for Health Care Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIR’s).

We are often asked by hospital staff:


“How do we produce a negative pressure isolation room”?; “We are unable to exhaust to the outside. What can we do”?


Although we can offer general guidance on the subject there are a variety of regulatory processes controlling hospitals. When trying to determine your hospitals regulatory control process it is good to start with your in house infection control personnel as there may be controls set by administration that exceed requirements of other governing bodies.


Who are these governing bodies?


Most state Health Departments have some form of documentation in place for producing AIIR’s. The documentation could be in the form of regulations or guidance and sometimes both. As a generalization the states Health Departments quote the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) “The Guideline for Isolation Precautions” which in turn references the AIA (American Institute of Architects) “Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities”.


How is the information obtained from these governing bodies?


• State Health Department try an internet search. Some sites are difficult to navigate so you may need to call them for information.


• CDC *HICPIC Guidelines are downloadable from their web site direct link to pdf is www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/isolation/Isolation2007.pdf *HICPAC is a federal advisory committee of infection control experts who provide advice and guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the practice of health care infection control, strategies for surveillance and prevention and control of health care associated infections in United States health care facilities.


• AIA Guidelines The AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) develops documentation, and disseminates knowledge to educating healthcare architects and other related constituencies; advancing the practice of healthcare architecture; improving the design of healthcare environments. For further information their web site is www.aia.org The guidelines can be purchased from “The Facility Guidelines Institute | 1919 McKinney Avenue | Dallas, TX 75201” (FGI) web page for purchase is www.fgiguidelines.org/pasteditions.html.


• The Facility Guidelines Institute now has responsibility for the “Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities”. The publication is revised every four years further information about FGI and the 2010 Guide is available from http://www.fgiguidelines.org/index.html. The 2010 Guide is published by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and incorporates ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2008, “Ventilation of Health Care Facilities”. For further information about ASHE contact http://www.ashe.org.