AG 8/97

Air Filters

by P.G. Pike

Published March 1997
This document is for those who specify, install or maintain air filters in building services applications, as well as suppliers of air-handling units and filter manufacturers. The desire for a healthy environment and better air quality has increased awareness of the contributory factors to sick-building syndrome and respiratory illnesses, in particular the effect of high concentrations of dust particulates. The incorrect specification of filter grades, poor installation and inadequate maintenance reflects the general lack of understanding about air filtration. This guide should enable the reader to specifiy and select the required type and grade of air filters. Guidance is also given on the installation and maintenance of air filters. A cost-benefit analysis spreadsheet has been developed as a guide to filter selection. Included with this publication is a copy of the Excel file on disk.

AG 2/94

Building and energy management systems are increasingly used to provide enhanced control and monitoring of the building environment and services, with the aim of reducing energy consumption and improving comfort conditions. These benefits can depend on the system being checked regularly. The facilities available can be used by a BEMS operator to check the performance of a BEMS from a terminal and also on the plant under control. Four skill levels are defined for the test work, ranging from an ability to read sensor input levels to being able to read sensor. The reasons, benefits and requirements for performance tests are detailed. Sources of severals standards against which the performance of BEMS can be checked are given. As well as highlighting indications of poor BEMS performance and the possible causes, the document recommends continuous performance improvements - the correcting of BEMS errors and faults as they occur. Sample checklists are provided to record the progress of the performance tests.