When choosing a restroom hand dryer for installation in hotels, restroom complexes or offices, the most important element to consider is the HEPA filter. The quality of the HEPA filter in hand dryers is essential. It is the most important element in the air filtering process, removing harmful particles from the air and then releasing clean air. That is why its use extends to a multitude of products other than electric hand dryers, such as vacuum cleaners or air purifiers.
But what are HEPA filters, how do they work, why are they so effective against viruses, bacteria and allergens? Find out everything you need to know here.
What are HEPA filters?
HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. The acronym alone speaks volumes about the importance of this filter. Because the HEPA filter is really powerful. The HEPA filter retains at least 99.97% of airborne particles larger than approximately 0.3 microns. This is such a small size that even some bacteria can be filtered out and particles such as pollen, mold spores, dust and smoke can be retained.
Why are these important?
HEPA filters are the best type of air filter available today. They are a great help to people with asthma, allergies or respiratory problems because of the improvement in air quality after installation. In fact, the effectiveness of HEPA filters is the reason why so many air cleaners were installed during the pandemic in schools, hospitals and offices. Thus, their installation in enclosed spaces has even been recommended by WHO during the Covid-19 crisis to help reduce the presence of the virus and thus its spread:
“Precautions against airborne transmission during aerosol-generating maneuvers in patients with suspected infection with the new coronavirus → an air outlet to the outside or, if the air is recirculated in the room, a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.” – they write in their practical manual on treating respiratory infections.
What types of HEPA filters are there?
There are different types of HEPA filters, which differ in their rating from HEPA 10 to HEPA 14. The higher the rating, the more effective the filtration. They must comply with the NF EN 1822 standard, which guarantees their quality.
How do they work?
The HEPA filter is constructed with advanced fiber technology. Operation is simple. The fiber is placed in the system so that larger particles are collected on the surface of the filter and smaller particles are collected as they move through the filter. With this deep filtration technology, most of the particles in the air are filtered out by the HEPA filter. Airborne particles are captured by different methods: interception, impingement and diffusion. These methods will ensure that your HEPA filter is working at its best and that nothing is left to chance.
Can HEPA filters be washed?
Some hand dryer models have washable filters, but not all of them. It is easy to tell the difference: blue HEPA filters can be washed. Green HEPA filters cannot be cleaned and must be replaced. Choosing a replaceable filter is more advisable, as washable filters lose efficiency after each wash. However, if you opt for a washable filter, in this case it is advisable to clean the filter about once a month to ensure the best possible efficiency.
How are they cleaned?
First of all, it will depend on the product you are in. It is always important to check the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations. On the other hand, we must make sure that the electric hand dryer is unplugged before removing the HEPA filter. Once the filter has been slid out of the hand dryer, we can tap it lightly to remove most of the dust. Next, we should run it under hot water, making sure that the pressure is not too strong so as not to damage the filter. Rinse it on both sides until the water comes out completely clean. To put the HEPA filter back into our electric hand dryer, we must wait for it to air dry for about 24 hours. Once it is completely dry, we will put the filter back inside the hand dryer, as it should never be used without it.
HEPA filters definitely work and their use has been recommended since the WHO. It is for this reason that SIMEX uses HEPA filters in its electric hand dryers. HEPA filters, as we have seen above, are highly effective as they are capable of filtering more than 99% of harmful particles from the air. In our new collection of TOPFLOW electric hand dryers, we are committed to safety and incorporate HEPA filters of index 13, one of the highest currently available on the market.
Discover our new range of TOPFLOW electric hand dryers by clicking HERE.
