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HEPA Vacuum - Goodway's Guide to Selecting a Top Quality HEPA Vacuum HEPA Vacuum Contents:
HEPA Vacuum History
The need for absolute filtration arose during World War II and was developed by the Atomic Energy Commission as part of the Manhattan Project to produce the first atomic bomb. There was a pressing need to address the health and safety issues raised by the handling of radioactive dust. Research and development produced the first HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters for the ventilation systems used to deliver ultra clean air to clean rooms. Back to Top Certified HEPA In order for a filter to be certified HEPA, it must be tested and proven to filter particles as small as 0.3 microns to 99.97% efficiency at its designed air flow. To understand what a HEPA filter does, it helps to understand what a micron is. A micron is 1 millionth of a meter. A human hair is approximately 100 microns wide. Particles smaller than 10 microns are not visible to the human eye. A particle of tobacco smoke averages 0.01 to 1 micron. Most bacteria range from 0.35 to 10 microns. Almost all viruses, however, are smaller than 0.03 microns and HEPA filters are not effective at trapping them. Back to Top 
Features of a High Quality HEPA Vacuum Not all HEPA vacuums are of equal quality. Here are some guidelines to follow to help get the best quality vacuum for the price. Much of this applies to getting good value in a vacuum generally. Starting from the ground up, look for high quality ball bearing wheels and casters that are of sufficient size to be easily moved over irregular floors and up and down stairs. Next, examine the construction of the collection devices for ease of cleaning and disposal of contaminants. Look for smooth easily wiped surfaces like stainless steel and aluminum. Plastic surfaces should be smooth and free of texturing. Next, examine the power source – the motors. Better quality electric vacuums utilize bypass motors. Lesser quality vacuums use flow through motors. Here’s the difference; a bypass motor is made so the motor chamber is isolated from the impeller chamber. The impeller is the fan that creates the lift and suction that the vacuum produces. The motor chamber has its own cooling fan that uses clean air from outside the vacuum head to keep the motor and its carbon brushes cool. A flow through motor uses the airflow generated by the impeller to cool the motor. In a flow through motor, any particles that escape the filter media are actually blown into the motor chamber, reducing the life of the motor. Finally, check the prefilters used on the vacuum. There should be multiple layers of prefiltration to remove as much contaminant as possible before they reach the HEPA filter. Effective prefilters extend the life of the HEPA filter and help reduce operating costs. Good quality HEPA vacuums utilize three and even four prefilters in some cases. Back to Top 
HEPA Vacuum Applications HEPA filtration for clean room applications soon found its way into other industries such as microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and the nuclear power industries. Soon other uses were realized for HEPA technology – central and portable vacuum cleaners. One of the earliest successful uses of portable HEPA vacuums was their employment in the asbestos abatement industry from the late 1950’s to the present day. Portable HEPA vacuums also proved useful for asbestos brake removal at auto repair shops. Next came lead paint abatement projects in public housing and government buildings. The city of New York recognized the dangers of improper lead paint abatement practices and the hazard of lead paint poisoning to children and passed a law regulating abatement in public buildings. The following comes from the City Council of the City of New York: "The Council finds that lead poisoning from paint containing lead is a preventable childhood disease and a public health crisis. The Council further finds that the hazard in dwellings that may occur from paint containing lead is subject to many factors, such as the age of a building and its maintenance. The council also finds and declares that City government must focus on primary prevention as the essential tool to combat childhood lead poisoning and to achieve the goal of preventing children from suffering the adverse health and other effects of exposure to lead-based paint. The pursuit of primary prevention, which means eliminating lead hazards before children are exposed, has been recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and promoted by leading experts in the field as a critical course of action to protect the health of young children. The Council, therefore, declares that resources must be directed to primary prevention, including identifying children who are most at risk." So begins the New York City Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 2003 which finally puts to rest the 20-plus year debate over lead paint abatement versus lead paint containment. The new law stands solidly on the side of abatement and makes owners of most multi dwelling buildings responsible for identifying dwellings where children under the age of seven live. In addition, it holds owners responsible for inspecting dwellings with young children and public areas to determine if a lead paint hazard exists and to remove the lead paint in a timely manner. Building owners are required to check their buildings annually for apartments with children under seven. It is currently estimated that 35,000 New York City children have elevated lead levels in their blood. Each year at least 4000 new lead poisoning victims are identified in New York City. Building owners that fail to comply with the law face fines and possible incarceration. The new law also applies to most day care facilities in the city. The recommended method for lead paint abatement calls for the sealing off of the work area and he use of the wet scraping method of removal. On completion of the scraping, all surfaces must be HEPA-vacuumed or washed with detergent before repainting. Back to Top HEPA Vacuums Today Today, HEPA vacuums are employed in a wide variety of industries to address the safety and health of workers and residents in any environment where the inhalation of microscopic particles can pose a health risk. One of the most widespread uses of HEPA vacuums today is in the duct cleaning service industry where the recovery of mold spores and other dangerous particles is critical. See for more HEPA vacuum uses. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has been in the process of developing standards to regulate the proper cleaning of ventilation systems. In their document entitled “NADCA General Specifications for the Cleaning of Commercial Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems†NADCA states, “Particulate Collection: Where the Particulate Collection Equipment is exhausting inside the building, HEPA filtration with 99.97% collection efficiency for 0.3-micron size (or greater) particles shall be used.†Currently, NADCA is working on a draft for a standard requiring scheduled re certification of HEPA vacuums used for ventilation system cleaning by contractors. It’s easy to see how NADCA takes the health risks of exposure to contaminants seriously. HEPA filter vacuums have proven invaluable for persons suffering from allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Conventional vacuums simply pick up dust, dander, pollen and whatever else is in or on the surface being cleaned and discharge the finer particles back into the air stream where they can then be breathed by the inhabitants. HEPA vacuums recover and trap small particles so they are permanently removed from the environment. The reason HEPA filters are certified to capture particles 0.3 microns in size is because it is the particle size that mechanical filters are least efficient at collecting. Particles measuring 0.3 micron in size are the most difficult to remove from the air and can easily get deep into the respiration system where they can cause or aggravate lung problems. HEPA filters are so efficient that only 3 out of every 10,000 particles that enter the filter will get through. Interestingly enough, HEPA filters actually become more efficient with age as the trapped particles make the air passages in the filter even smaller and more difficult for particles to navigate. Back to Top Industrial HEPA Vacuums Industrial HEPA vacuums are a critical element of any comprehensive cleaning and maintenance program for industries ranging anywhere from food production to biotechnology. Industrial HEPA vacuums serve several purposes in these environments, including: improving indoor air quality (IAQ), removing debris, and controlling the build up of harmful contaminants. Through their unique filtration abilities, HEPA vacuums ensure that harmful particles are not released back into the air to be breathed in by employees or to taint research or production results. Back to Top Industrial HEPA Vacuums and Sick Building Syndrome Industrial HEPA vacuums can dramatically reduce the biological and chemical pollutants that contribute to what is known as "sick building syndrome." This causes a building's inhabitants to feel sick when they are in the building. Biological pollution is caused by such contaminants as: toxic black mold, viruses and bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and insect body parts. To avoid sick building syndrome, it is critical that comprehensive cleaning maintenance programs be followed, including the use of an industrial HEPA vacuum cleaner. 
Back to Top Commercial HEPA Vacuums Commercial HEPA vacuums dramatically reduce the occurrence of dust and dirt in a building's interior by trapping small particles like mold and dust. Because clean environments have a positive physical and psychological impact, it is recommended that a commercial HEPA vacuum be used in cleaning surfaces likely to be encountered by employees and customers. This will improve the building's sanitation and minimize the risk of airborne particles and their related symptoms. Commercial HEPA vacuums are also an important element in keeping air ducts free of dust and debris. Because the vacuum reduces the amount of particles in the air, the air ducts become blocked much less often. Back to Top Commercial HEPA Vacuums Control Bacteria, Fungus and Parasites Commercial HEPA Vacuums are often used to clean buildings that are susceptible to contaminants like those which accompany rodent and pest infestation. A build up of fecal matter, and the bacteria, fungus and parasites that accompany it, can cause serious harm to employees and customers. These infestations can also have a negative impact on a building's machinery, materials, and reputation. HEPA vacuums are the only vacuum cleaners recommended as part of remediation of infestation as they minimize the occurrence of these hazardous particles in the air. 
Goodway HEPA vacuums have been proving themselves in difficult environments ranging from nuclear power plants, to laboratory clean rooms, to pharmaceutical companies where processing equipment must be completely cleaned between product batches. Cross contamination is a real issue for many companies involved in the production of consumable goods. HEPA vacuums are a necessity in the production environments where cleanliness is a must. Businesses that don't take necessary precautions to stabilize the environment in which their product is created often face negative consequences including the financial fallout and negative reputation that results from product recalls. Back to Top HEPA Vacuum Performance Ratings When comparing vacuums, two performance ratings should be evaluated – static lift and air displacement. Many buyers make the mistake of comparing horsepower or wattage when shopping for a good vacuum. The speed of the motor, number of motors and the design of the impeller have more to do with the performance of a vacuum than horsepower or wattage. Some vacuums are designed to produce high static lift - the ability of the machine to get heavier materials like liquids or metals in motion. Static lift is measured in inches of water or mercury. Others are designed to displace large amounts of air, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). These machines are best for recovery of light particles such as bacteria, pharmaceutical dust, lead paint sanding dust, asbestos fibers and so on. Electric vacuums are usually designed for either high lift or high flow. Pneumatically powered vacuums, however, can be made to produce a high level of both performance characteristics. Back to Top The Proof is in the HEPA Filters Here is the area where, perhaps, the clearest distinctions can be made between HEPA vacuums. Early in the incorporation of the use of HEPA filters in portable vacuums, the HEPA filter was simply attached to the exhaust port of a conventional vacuum. In many cases, the HEPA filter was necessarily undersized for its intended purpose. As the vacuum industry matured in its use of HEPA filtration, some manufacturers selected positioning the HEPA filter on the inlet side of the power source, while some chose to stay with the filter positioned at the exhaust side. What is best? The debate on this is inconclusive. Positioning the HEPA filter on the exhaust of the power source on an electric vacuum does provide the ability to filter the carbon dust expelled by the motor brushes, but also allows contaminated air to come into contact with the motors. In addition, the issue of filter leaks is more critical when the filter is positioned on the exhaust as the filter is always in a positive pressure mode. When the HEPA filter is installed on the intake side of the motors, the motors are better protected from contamination and the issue of filter leaks is lessened due to the filter being in a negative pressure mode during operation. It is also important to compare the size of the HEPA filter used in each machine. It stands to reason that the larger the filter, the longer it will perform between filter changes. Make sure the HEPA filter is certified at the air displacement that the vacuum generates. If the filter is certified at a lower CFM air displacement than the vacuum generates, it will not perform at 99.97% efficiency. Interestingly, HEPA filters actually become more efficient during their life span because the passages between the glass fiber filter medium reduce in size as the filter captures particles. Back to Top True HEPA vs. HEPA-Type Filters – Very Important "True" HEPA filters must be individually tested and certified to meet the 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 micron performance level. Each filter is subjected to a DOP test in accordance with Military Standard MIL-STD-282. DOP (dioctyl phthalate) is an oil that is used to create a smoke with a very narrow particle size distribution. The particle size selected is 0.3 microns in diameter. Following the test, each filter that has passed is assigned a serial number and the test results are recorded on the filter itself. If you are looking at a vacuum without this information on the filter, it is not a true HEPA vacuum. HEPA-type filters are not subjected to the same rigorous testing as true HEPA filters and range in efficiency from 85% to 95%. Obviously, these units are less expensive than true HEPA units, but their filtering capability is not known exactly. Spending a few dollars more is easily justifiable when health and safety concerns are factored in. Back to Top Another Important HEPA Vacuum Feature Lower tier vacuums do not provide for a means to determine when it is time to replace the HEPA filter, causing the user to rely on guesswork. Unfortunately, this too often leads to too frequent or too infrequent filter replacement. Too frequent replacement is just a waste of money while too infrequent replacement results in a period of time where the vacuum is used at less than ideal efficiency. Look for machines that incorporate a device that tells the operator when to change the filter. Some models use a manometer to monitor the HEPA filter’s performance while others use pressure differential devices that measure the pressure drop across the filter and give the operator a signal, such as a light, when it is time to replace the filter. These features may add a little to the initial cost of the machine but usually result in lower long-term cost of ownership. Back to Top HEPA Vacuum Conclusion As you can see, purchasing a HEPA vacuum cleaner is not a decision to be taken lightly. Many factors must be weighed and features compared, but armed with the right knowledge, it is a decision that can be made with confidence. HEPA Vacuum Goodway has the HEPA vacuum and accessories both for commercial and industrial maintenance. A Goodway hepa vacuum is constructed of stainless steel and aluminum for reliability and long life. Below are some examples of Goodway's hepa vacuums. The EV-30H Dry HEPA vacuum is the unit of choice for commercial dry-only fine particle recovery applications. Our VAC-2D HEPA vacuum is an industrial hepa vacuum built with heavy duty components, ideal for dry-only fine particle recovery application in even the most demanding environments. It features twin-motors, a three stage filtration system and a wide variety of optional accessories. When either HEPA vacuum above is recovering debris, a disposable paper filter collection bag traps the majority of materials. Fine particles are filtered to 0.3 microns by a filter protector and a hepa filter. Only clean safe air passes through vacuum exhaust. The VAC-2 wet-dry hepa vacuum is the safe solution for most fine particle recovery applications. Equipped with a twin motor this hepa vacuum can tackle even the toughest tasks. When the VAC-2 recovers dry debris, the lower intake is used and a disposable paper filter bag collects the material. With liquid recovery or bulk materials, the upper intake is used. In all cases fine particles are filtered to 0.3 microns by a cloth filter, Dacron filter, polypropylene filter and a hepa filter. Only clean safe air passes through vacuum exhaust. 
The DV-AH Goodway's air powered HEPA vacuum combines a powerful vernturi with an ultra-efficient hepa filter for extreme particle recovery applications. The unit features and external filter shaker to keep the filters clear and a detachable collection tank which can be wheeled out from under the vacuum without removing the vacuum head or filter. With recovery of debris, the large containment tank traps the majority of materials. Fine particles are filtered to 0.3 microns by an anti-static pocket prefilter and a hepa filter. Only clean safe air passes through vacuum exhaust. A full range of accessories are available including attachments, and replacement bags and filters. Goodway has a HEPA vacuum to serve all of your different cleaning applications, from light to heavy duty. Remember, Goodway Sales Professionals are always ready to help you in selecting the right HEPA vacuum. Back to Top |
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