Maintaining optimal air quality is paramount in laboratory environments. Contaminants like particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pathogens can compromise research accuracy, equipment integrity, and, most importantly, the health and safety of lab personnel. While HVAC systems are a crucial component of lab ventilation, sometimes they are insufficient to achieve the required Air Changes per Hour (ACH) necessary for specific applications or to address localized air quality concerns. This is where introducing compliant air purification can make a significant difference.
Understanding the Importance of Air Changes per Hour
Air changes per hour (ACH) refers to the number of times the total volume of air in a room is replaced with fresh, filtered air within one hour. A higher ACH generally translates to improved indoor air quality and reduced concentration of airborne contaminants. The recommended ACH varies depending on the type of laboratory and the specific hazards present. Factors influencing the required ACH include:
- Type of Research: Experiments involving infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, or sensitive materials require higher ACH.
- Equipment Used: Equipment that generates fumes, particles, or heat can necessitate increased ventilation.
- Occupancy Levels: Higher occupancy rates increase bioeffluents and airborne pathogens, all of which affect ventilation demand.
- Regulatory Guidelines: Organizations such as ASHRAE provide guidance on ventilation requirements for specific laboratory settings.
Limitations of Existing HVAC Systems
While HVAC systems play a critical role in lab ventilation, they may face limitations in achieving the desired ACH:
- System Capacity: Older or undersized HVAC systems may lack the capacity to provide adequate airflow for the entire lab.
- Distribution Issues: Air distribution problems can lead to uneven ventilation, with some areas receiving insufficient airflow.
- Cost of Upgrades: Upgrading the existing HVAC system can be a significant investment.
- Disruptions During Renovation: Major HVAC upgrades often require lab downtime and potential disruptions to research activities.
How AirBox Can Enhance ACH and Indoor Air Quality
AirBox High-Volume Purifiers (HVPs) offer a flexible and cost-effective solution to supplement existing HVAC systems and improve indoor air quality in specific areas within a lab. Here’s how they contribute:
- Increased Localized ACH: AirBox HVPs can be strategically placed in areas where higher ACH is required, such as around fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, or in areas with high concentrations of particulate matter.
- Effective Filtration: Equipped with Certified HEPA and Advanced Molecular Adsorbent filtration, AirBox HVPs capture 99.99% of airborne particles including dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses, as well as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemical contaminants.
- Minimized Maintenance: By utilizing the AirBox Advanced Operating System (AOS), facilities can integrate with their Building Management Systems (BMS) to manage, adjust, schedule, and monitor their HVPs, as well as track live IAQ metrics and filter-life with integrated sensors on board.
- Emergency Response: AirBox HVPs can quickly address indoor air quality risk from contamination events like viral outbreaks, wildfire smoke, and more through an easy switch to ASHRAE Standard 241-2023’s Infection Risk Management Mode (IRMM) to increase clean airflow.
- Reduced Strain on HVAC: By filtering air locally, airbox purifiers alleviate some of the burden on the central HVAC system, potentially extending its lifespan.
Conclusion: A Smarter Path to Safer, More Compliant Labs
In laboratory environments where precision, safety, and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable, maintaining high indoor air quality is critical—and achieving the appropriate Air Changes per Hour (ACH) is a key part of that equation. While traditional HVAC systems form the backbone of lab ventilation, they often fall short when it comes to localized needs, rapid response to contaminants, or cost-effective scalability.
AirBox High-Volume Purifiers bridge that gap. With certified filtration, intelligent integration, and advanced operational capabilities, AirBox solutions not only help labs meet or exceed ACH requirements, but do so without costly HVAC upgrades or disruptive renovations. Whether supplementing existing systems, supporting emergency IAQ response, or optimizing performance in high-demand zones, AirBox purifiers deliver the flexibility and control modern laboratories require.
In short, boosting lab ACH isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a cleaner, safer, and more efficient research environment. And with AirBox, you don’t have to compromise.
