Frequently Asked Questions

The number of Air Changes per hour is key to the creation of “Safe Clean Air”.

Despite being a requirement under law to provide safe, clean air, Before the outbreak of Covid 19, the importance /necessity of Air Filtration for employees, patients, students, residents, visitors and customers was not considered widely, outside of acute environments such as operating theatres, data centres and pharmaceutical environments.

Covid 19 has shone a light on this area and brought attention to airborne transmission of viruses, influenza and other dangers which live and transmit in non-clean air.

Governing bodies/ national bodies now recommend multiple clean air changes/ filtrations per hour (As opposed to air circulation, which does not filter the air).

Your Mia Air Expert will be able to talk you through how many air filtrations are required per hour in your setting.

HEPA  (High Efficiency Particulate Filtration) Filtration systems are recognized and recommended  to filter the air indoors.

HEPA 14 Air Filtration was designed for use in high-risk areas such as operating theatres, pharmaceutical production, data centres and nuclear sites.

Hepa 14 Filters which are standard on Mia Air, are at least 99.995% effective in capturing viruses and Bacteria.

ULPA 15 Filters as used in the Mia Air Tower are at least 99.9995% effective in capturing viruses and Bacteria.

Avoid the use of air-recirculation systems in HVACs as much as possible . Use 100% outdoor air if supported by the HVAC system and compatible with outdoor/indoor air quality consideration.

If it is not possible to disable the air recirculation system, then HEPA filtration or the highest efficiency filter possible according to the HVAC manufacturer’s specifications should be considered. Increase air filtration to as high as possible.

Room Air Cleaner Guidance for Schools (May 2021)

Air cleaners can assist in removal control and provide an additional measure of precaution where poor ventilation exists.

Air cleaners that are based on filtration with a HEPA filter are likely to be most effective.

SARS-CoV-2 viral particles, like other viruses spread between people more readily indoors than outdoors.

When indoors, ventilation mitigation strategies help reduce viral particle concentration. The lower the concentration, the less likely viral particles can be inhaled into the lungs, contact eyes, nose, and mouth, or fall out of the air to accumulate on surfaces. Protective ventilation practices and interventions can reduce the airborne concentrations and reduce the overall viral dose to occupants.

HEPA filters are no less than 99.97% efficient at capturing human-generated viral particles associated with SARS-CoV-2.

HEPA filtration units that combine a HEPA filter with a powered fan system are a preferred option for auxiliary air cleaning, especially in higher-risk settings such as health clinics, vaccination and medical testing locations, workout rooms, or public waiting areas

It is  a requirement under Irish Law that employees are provided with adequately ventilation and fresh air. This regulation is now becoming more important for employers and employees as the consequences as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic and the increase of the understanding and awareness of the requirement for clean air for employee safety.

Health and Safety Authority

Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007- Health and Safety Guidance

The employer must ensure that the physical environment of the place of work is adequate. Work areas should be large enough to be safe and healthy and be adequate with regard to stability, ventilation, fresh air, temperature and lighting

Regulation 6 of  Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007

An employer shall ensure that— (a) sufficient fresh air is provided in enclosed places of work, having regard to the working methods used and the physical demands placed on the employer’s employees.