Spectrum helps improve IAQ at one of Asia's largest diversified real estate groups

Spectrum helps improve IAQ at one of Asia's largest diversified real estate groups

 

SITE 1-MERV 8 

Aim:

To determine the air quality of the office space where filters in AHU are installed with MERV 8 filters, and to analyze the environment of the site to find other sources of pollutants.

 

Observation:

No frequent usage of office space due to COVID-19 shut down- the environment is clean with no source of outer contamination or pollutants could enter. No practice of air purifier or dust filtering units were found. The only source of air inlet would be the duct that travels past the filters from AHU which holds MERV - 8 filter. The air quality assessment was done for a period of 20 minutes and the major pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 were monitored and recorded for analysis at an interval of one minute. All pollutants were monitored using high-end air assessment monitors.

Range of pollutants found in testing zone 

Fig 1.1- Graphical plots ofPM2.5 & PM10

Table 1.1 Pollutants level

 

Pollutants	Value	Boundary condition
PM 2.5 µg/m3	13.15	The acceptable level of PM 2.5 is ≤ 30
PM 10 µg/m3	15.24	The acceptable level of PM 10 is ≤ 50
TVOC (ppm)
AQI (Index)	23	This shows the tested zone is GOOD according to AQI index INDIA

From table 1.1 and Fig 1.1 we can see that in the tested zone PM 2.5 and PM10 values are in the safe zone, which shows the level of air quality that passes through the filter in AHU. Throughout the measured time, the air quality was constant, the mass concentration was found to be 13.15* μg/m3 for PM 2.5 and PM10 was 15.24* μg/m3, both the major pollutants are in the safe zone, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was found to be 23 and the value lies in GOOD range, where AQI less than or equal to 50 is considered as good. 

 

These results can vary when office space is used frequently*

 

SITE 2-MERV 13 

Aim:

To determine the air quality of the office space where filters in AHU are installed with MERV 8 filters, and to analyze the environment of the site to find other sources of pollutants.

 

Observation:

No usage of office space due to COVID-19 shut down- the environment is clean with no source of outer contamination or pollutants could enter. No practice of air purifying or dust filtering units were found. The only source of air inlet would be the duct that travels past the filters from AHU which holds MERV - 13 filter. The air quality assessment was done for a period of 20 minutes and the major pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 were monitored and recorded for analysis at an interval of one minute. All pollutants were monitored using high-end air assessment monitors.

 

Range of pollutants found in testing zone 

Fig 1.1- Graphical plots ofPM2.5 & PM10

Table 1.1 Pollutants level

 

 

 

Pollutants	Value	Boundary condition
PM 2.5 µg/m3	7.93	The acceptable level of PM 2.5 is ≤ 30
PM 10 µg/m3	12.50	The acceptable level of PM 10 is ≤ 50
TVOC (ppm)
AQI (Index)	11	This shows the tested zone is GOOD according to AQI index INDIA

From table 1.1 and Fig 1.1 we can be seen that in the tested zone PM 2.5 and PM10 values are in the safe zone, which shows the level of air quality passes through the filter in AHU  .Throughout the measured time the air quality was constant, the mass concentration was found to be 7.93* μg/m3 for PM 2.5 and PM10 was 12.50* μg/m3, both the major pollutants are in the safer zone, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was found to be 23 and the value lies in GOOD range, where AQI less than or equal to 50 is considered as good. 

These results can vary when office space is used frequently*

 

Analysis after upgradation

From the above air quality data, the floor spaces utilise MERV 8 & MERV 13 filters have been assessed. It is observed that in the MERV 13 upgraded AHU the air quality was high PM2.5- 7.93 μg/m3 and pollutant levels have been reduced when compared to AHU which uses MERV 8 filters PM2.5- 13.15 μg/m3, the upgraded filters provided a significantly higher level of air quality which clearly shows the need for up-gradation in all sites. It is recommended based on the capacity of AHU all other units can also be upgraded with suitable filters.

 

Site analyzed by:                                                                                                 Report by: 

Tarun Kumar Kongali                                                                                          Dr. Felix Swamidoss
Manager – Sales                                                                                                  Research Associate
Spectrum Filtration Pvt. Ltd                                                                             Spectrum Filtration Pvt. Ltd