Issuu

AIRMEDIA

SUMMER 2020

We're all in this together:

National Air Filtration Association 1818 Parmenter St, Ste 300, Middleton, WI 53562

Recovery after COVID

Photo Credit: Jeff Holt, CAFS, NCT, Airflow Products Co., Inc.

www.nafahq.org â–ª The source for expertise, education and standards in air filtration

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AIRMEDIA Publisher

National Air Filtration Association

Editor

Table of Contents Features COVID-19 FAQ

NAFA Certification Report

Supply Chain Survey Report

Terry Driscoll NAFA Association Coordinator

2020 Annual Convention

Publisherâ€™s Note

Thank you 2020 Sponsors

Technology of Clean Air Class

2021 AHR Expo

Michelle Czosek, CAE NAFA Executive Director

Designer and Content Editor

Air Media magazine is published three times per year by the National Air Filtration Association. Annual dues are $520 for Distributor Membership and $945 for Manufacturer Membership; dues include a paid subscription to Air Media. Air Media provides a forum for the free exchange of opinions and information. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of NAFA, its officers, directors, membership or staff. Your contributions help make this magazine an interesting and informative forum for exchanging ideas and recognizing the advancements in our industry. Neither NAFA nor Air Media is responsible for claims made in advertisements. Editorial and advertising closing dates are the first of the month prior to issue.

Departments Presidentâ€™s Message

Welcome to NAFA

2020 Board of Directors

New Certified Personnel

NAFA News

Industry Calendar of Events

Technology Corner

Executive Profile

From the Executive Director

National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) Headquarters 1818 Parmenter St, Ste 300 Middleton, WI 53562 Phone: 608-310-7542 Email: nafa@nafahq.org

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President’s Message So Much to Say and so Little Space by Tom Justice, CAFS, NCT

30 days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31...except March which had 8,000. We ask ourselves how things could have changed so quickly in 2020. It was little more than 10 weeks ago, the last week in February to be exact, when many of us from NAFA stood talking on the exposition floor at Chicago’s Navy Pier for FiltXPO 2020. Tony Veroeven was smiling as he held up a record number of inquiry cards from prospective new members who had stopped by the NAFA booth. Of course, there was Greg Guy and Dave Reaman who knew everyone at the show and were determined to shake their hand. Now I find myself sitting at home on my computer watching another Coronavirus joke slip past my state-of-the-art spam software, as they seem to do every day. I call Jim Rosenthal who reminds me that the best joke of all seems to be that I might possibly become the only NAFA President in history to never preside over the Fall Annual and Spring Technical meetings during my term. He’s still laughing as I hang up the phone. For me it’s more like business as usual since I already work from a home office. But what’s odd for me is that most of my neighbors are sheltering at home and seem to walk their dogs from sunrise to sunset. Then there’s the family across the street; they have 6 kids and all but one play high school or college football (I guess they won’t let her play). There usually is a game of sorts going on here until well after midnight. This afternoon while I sit writing, there seems to be an unusually large number of pickup trucks parked on the street, so I am guessing that it must be Front Yard Super Bowl Sunday. But right now, I have a drive-by birthday party to attend for one of my grandkids. You call in your ETA, drop the present on a table in the driveway, pick up your cake and ice cream, wave and drive off. My problem is that I am still confused about the disparity in this new found leisurely life of many but by no means all of my neighbors and the sudden avalanche of work which has befallen me as it has most of you in the filter industry. When we initially entered this new lifestyle, the immediate concern of Michelle and the rest of the NAFA team as well as the NAFA Board was how can we keep our members informed, how do we stay connected both with members and other trade associations, and how do we operate in an isolated world. I credit staff, along with the Board, for getting so much done in such a short span of time: • Our COVID-19 web page went up quickly and last month saw over 24,000 visitors, 75% finding us through their search engine • Our first webinar on COVID-19 was produced and launched on March 27 • The NCT exam has transitioned to an upgraded platform and is now available online in Spanish • An NCT exam tutorial webinar in Spanish is in the works for the June time-frame

• A webinar on hospital filtration featuring a panel of your peers will take place in June • The NAFA Guide to Air Filtration is in the process of being updated • And ask our new Membership & Marketing Chair, Will Denton, about our 19 new members this year. • Michelle has been active in the HVACR Industry Alliance during this time meeting with the other executive directors to share resources with each other. (See more about the HVACR Industry Alliance in this issue.) • INDA’s lobbyist in DC was critical in helping us link up with the Essential Business application process. While it is great to discuss how NAFA members step up when called upon and how networking with other organizations has proven so beneficial, I need to shift our focus to a serious issue which is already affecting us and may very well get worse. There are four distinct events which threaten the HVAC Filtration supply chain at this time and like the movie The Perfect Storm, these events will impact us in the months to come. First, with more questions than answers most hospital engineers and commercial property managers have taken the position of "err on the side of excess." Based upon the calls that I was receiving, those responsible were being asked to report to property owners and Boards exactly what steps they were taking to protect the safety and well-being of patients, tenants, guests or essentially any individuals under their care. Their answer was that the air filtration systems were being upgraded. Second, the ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols was updated and approved on April 14, 2020. In Section 4.1 under ASHRAE’s Position they state: “HVAC design teams for facilities of all types should follow, as a minimum, the latest published standards and guidelines and good engineering practice. Based on risk assessments or owner project requirements, designers of new and existing facilities could go beyond the minimum requirements of these standards.” “Enhanced filtration (higher minimum efficiency reporting value [MERV] filters over code minimums in occupantdense and/or higher-risk spaces) (Evidence Level A).” “The following modifications to building HVAC system operation should be considered…. Improve central air and other HVAC filtration to MERV-13 (ASHRAE 2017b) or the highest level achievable. Keep systems running longer hours (24/7 if possible)." Continued on page 9

NAFA Air Media

Welcome to NAFA!

2020 Board of Directors

Distributor

President

Kevin Martin Advanced Air Service Group Aston, Pennsylvania Doug Johnson, CAFS AirTek of Tuscaloosa, LLC Northport, Alabama Kristin Summer, CAFS DualDraw, LLC Denver, Colorado Joyce Gerber EFC International St. Louis, Missouri

Zene 4997 Westmoreland Drive Williamsburg, VA 23188 919-740-6308 justfilter@yahoo.com

President-Elect

Nathan Wittman, CAFS, NCT Filter Technology Company, Inc. 9018-B Scranton Street Houston, TX 77075 800-874-1045 Fax: 713-910-0071 nwittman@filtertexas.com www.filtertexas.com

Treasurer

Roberta MacGillivray, CAFS, NCT

Anthony Balmer, CAFS Harshaw Trane Supply Louisville, Kentucky Karen Watson International Filter Manufacturing Corp. Litchfield, Illinois Kevin Uilkie K. M. Facility Services LLC Glendale, Arizona Jim Schmidt, CAFS L & D Distributors Ltd. Edmonton, Alberta Canada Christopher McConnell McConnell Air Conditioning, Inc. Cooper City, Florida Eugene A. Bayhon, CAFS REXIM Philippines Universal Sales Corp Paranque City Philippines Tony Yacu SHARCO International Corp. Northbook, Illinois David Robert Bruegger Tecas Group Miami, Florida

Continued on page 7

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Tom Justice, CAFS, NCT

BGE Indoor Air Quality Solutions Ltd. 5711-103 A Street Edmonton, AB T6H2J6 Canada 780-436-6961 Fax: 780-437-2133 R.MacGillivray@bgecleanair.com

http://bgecleanair.com/

Secretary

Michael Corbat, CAFS

Rensa Filtration 37900 Mound Road Sterling Heights, MI 48310 586-872-0705 mcorbat@rensafiltration.com www.rensafiltration.com

Immediate Past President Trey Fly, CAFS, NCT II

Joe W. Fly Co., Inc. 4820 Memphis Street Dallas, TX 75207 214-634-2200 Fax: 214-634-7928 trey@joeflyco.com www.joeflyco.com

Northeast Region

Timmy Timbs, CAFS

Wallner Expac 6462 Sandbourne West Olive Branch, MS 38654 800-690-0012 Fax: 662-420-7255 ttimbs@expac.com www.expac.com

Southeast Region

Patrick Rosenthal, CAFS

TEX-AIR Filters/Air Relief Technologies 2209-A Rutland Drive Austin, TX 78758 512-833-3330 Fax: 512-833-3335 patrickrosenthal@texairfilters.com www.texairfilters.com

North Central Region Dave Miller

Complete Filter Media 410 South Ewing Street Lancaster, OH 43130 740-217-8831 dave.miller@cfm.email www.cfm.global

South Central Region Matt Solis, CAFS

Smith Filter Corporation 5000 41st St Ct Moline, IL 61265 309-764-8324 Fax: 309-764-6816 matt@smithfilter.com www.smithfilter.com

Northwest Region

Julie Engelstad, CAFS

Camfil USA, Inc. 1 N Corporate Drive Riverdale, NJ 07457 502-714-3231 julie.engelstad@camfil.com www.camfil.com

Southwest Region

Randy Brannen, CAFS, NCT II Quality Filters, Inc. 23351 Grissom Dr. Robertsdale, AL 36567 251-947-2400 Fax: 251-947-2499 randyb@qualityfilters.com www.qualityfilters.com

International

Steve Griffiths, CAFS

Independent Filter Service P/L 82 Northern Rd Heidelberg West, Victoria 3081, Australia 61 394 583644 Fax: 61 394 583644 steve@independentfilter.com.au www.independentfilter.com.au

COVID-19 (Corona Virus) and Air Filtration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by Professor Jeffrey Siegel, Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering University of Toronto

What you need to know about keeping you and your building safe As we all socially distance and stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some may be asking themselves what else can they do to ‘flatten the curve.’ While hand-washing and staying home remain the most effective means of limiting the spread of the virus, there is conflicting information surfacing about the role and efficacy of air-filters. “It is important for people to understand how air-filtration systems are supposed to work,” says Jeffrey Siegel, a professor in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto and an expert in indoor air quality. “Some may be frightened with the situation we are all facing right now, but the best way to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities is with evidencebased information.”

Frequently asked questions Can building air filtration protect me from getting COVID-19? Filtration in building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can be a part of an overall risk mitigation approach but is not generally regarded as a solution by itself. There is no direct scientific evidence of benefit, but some reduced exposure can reasonably be inferred based on the ability of some filters to remove particles that contain a SARS-CoV-2 virus. In order for filters to have any impact on infectious disease transmission, transmission has to occur through the airborne route, filters have to be properly installed and maintained in appropriate systems to treat recirculated air, and filters have to be appropriately designed for the building in which they are used. More importantly, in most buildings and in most situations, filters may be considerably less effective than other infection control measures including social distancing, isolation of known cases, and hand-washing.

NAFA Air Media

What filter should I use to protect those in my building from COVID-19? There is no obvious answer to this question, given unknowns about the nature of SARS-CoV-2 containing particles and droplets, as well as the broader issues raised above. We do know that low-efficiency filters (e.g., less than MERV 8 according to ASHRAE Standard 52.2 or less than ePM2.5 20% according to ISO 16890-1:2016) are very unlikely to make a difference. Properly installed higher efficiency filters can remove particles of a relevant size depending on their installed capture efficiency, but current information does not allow for specific recommendations. Why shouldnâ€™t I just use the highest-efficiency filter that I can find? High-efficiency filters may be appropriate for your building, but they can also be counterproductive. A high-efficiency filter may have a high initial pressure drop and/or load with dust and particles very quickly, thus requiring frequent filter changes. A high-pressure drop filter (either because it is that way when it is new or because it loads quickly) can also cause more air to bypass the filter if it is not properly installed and well-sealed. Depending on the design of your system, a high-pressure drop filter can also diminish the amount of air supplied into the environment, making the filter less effective as well as causing other problems with other parts of the HVAC system. Most importantly, in many residential and some light commercial systems, the fan in the system does not run very often and the efficiency of the filter may not be as important as it could be.

I know that hospitals have good filtration, why donâ€™t we all just use systems like these? Hospitals (and many healthcare facilities) have specially designed mechanical systems that can accommodate the levels of filtration that they need. They often rely on other systems and control strategies (e.g., UV lamps, humidity control, airflow management) to maximize the benefit from filtration. Most importantly, they have dedicated staff who operate and maintain this equipment so that it provides maximal benefit. What about ultraviolet (UV) lamps, do they work? A properly designed and maintained UV system, often in concert with filtration, humidity control, and airflow management, has been shown to reduce infections from other viruses. The details of the system are very important (e.g., design of fixtures, lamp type, lamp placement airflow amount and mixing, etc.). Simply adding UV to an existing system without consideration of these factors has not been demonstrated to have a benefit. What about ionizers, ozone generators, plasma, and other air cleaning technologies? None of these technologies have been proven to reduce infection in real buildings, even if they have promise based on tests in a laboratory or idealized setting. Some of them have substantial concerns about secondary issues (such as ozone production).

Continued on page 6

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Continued on from page 5

What about portable air cleaners? Similar to building filtration, here is no direct clinical evidence of the benefit of portable air cleaners for reducing infectious disease risk, but some benefit can be reasonably inferred for appropriately sized (e.g., their removal rate is appropriate for the room), maintained, and operated portable HEPA filters. As with building filtration, the details are important (e.g., efficiency and airflow rate of the air cleaner, sizing and placement within the space, maintenance and filter change, nature of space that is being cleaned) and appropriate portable filtration is only likely to be effective in concert with other measures. Doesnâ€™t filtration require that the droplets that cause COVID-19 be airborne? I have heard that it is large droplets. Yes, most public health guidance suggests that COVID-19 transmission is predominantly associated with large droplets. This is why air filtration is only a small part of a solution as it does not generally address transmission from surface contact or from close contact between individuals. However, the distinction between droplet and airborne is particle size. We know that a) droplets can stay airborne for long periods of time (e.g., hours under some conditions) b) droplets change in size based on a number of factors including their composition and the relative humidity of the air around them (low relative humidity will generally cause droplets and particles to become smaller). Further, DNA and RNA from other viruses that are generally associated with droplets have been found on used filters.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources for the Air Filtration Industry ASHRAE COVID-19 Resource Page https://tinyurl.com/CovidASHRAE This page contains information accessible to the public including ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines, technical resources, handbooks and conference presentations. ASHRAE Position Document on Airborne Infectious Diseases (updated February 2020) https://tinyurl.com/ASHRAE-AID Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19 https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus Learn more about what the U.S. government is doing in response to the virus. Guidance Document from OSHA https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf General practices to help prevent worker exposure and information to deal with worker safety issues. CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 Website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Safety tips, situation updates, disease background. SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19 The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

NAFA Air Media

Welcome to NAFA! Continued from page 3

What precautions should I take when changing filters? In general, it is wise to assume that filters have active microbiological material on them. Whether this represents an important infectious disease risk from viruses is not known, but the precautionary principle would suggest that care should be taken. This becomes particularly important in any building (including a home) where there are known or likely cases of any infectious disease including COVID-19 and also extends to portable air cleaner filters and vehicle cabin air filters. Filters should be changed with the system turned off, while wearing gloves, with respiratory protection if available, outdoors if possible, and disposed of in a sealed bag. ■

James Suttle TLC Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mesa, Arizona

Manufacturer David Heacock FilterBuy, Inc. Talladega, Alabama Meredith C. Rogerson Pamlico Air Washington, DC Michael Klump Purafil, Inc. Doraville, Georgia Jeremy Idlebird Sentry Air Systems Cypress, Texas

Where can I go to get more information The best place for all COVID-19 information is your local, regional, and national health authorities. More information specific to building systems can be found here: • ASHRAE: https://tinyurl.com/CovidASHRAE • REHVA: https://tinyurl.com/CovidREHVA

Marlene Chaparro Spifil, Inc. Houston, Texas

Supplemental Maureen Jerolis, CAFS Service Side Air, LLC (CT) Mystic, Connecticut

Association Partner Need guidance on getting back to work and preparing your buildings for re-entry amid COVID-19? Get help from BOMA: • https://tinyurl.com/re-entry

Sukumaran Pradeep Muscat Oman

Professional Individual Atef A. Alshaikh Jeddah Saudi Arabia Pablo Bedoya Lima Peru Christopher Ian Lakey Bend, Oregon ■

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President’s Message Continued from page 2

ASHRAE’s Epidemic Task Force has posted statements on their website including the following found under Mechanical Air Filters:

“The fraction of particles removed from air passing through a filter is termed 'filter efficiency' and is provided by the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) under standard conditions. • MERV ranges from 1 to 16; higher MERV = higher efficiency • MERV ≥13 (or ISO equivalent) are efficient at capturing airborne viruses • MERV 14 (or ISO equivalent) filters are preferred • High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are more efficient than MERV 16 filters.” These first two events set the stage for a rapid transition in demand to higher MERV filters from MERV 13 up through HEPA. But then…. Third, products such as face masks and respirator filters along with other critical products have been suggested in the CDC guidelines as critical for businesses to re-open. Unfortunately, the DPAS rating for HVAC filters is below that for these products mentioned. The charged melt-blown media which is used in many bag and rigid box filters as well as mini-pleat compact filters also provides the efficiency layer for many if not most of the face masks being rushed into production over these past few months. Even the carded and spun bonded media which we use in lower efficiency products and as backing materials for higher efficiency layers are also being used for the inner and outer layers for face masks. So, while the increased demand is rapidly pulling down inventories of higher efficiency filtration products, this third event has diverted needed capacity for filter media production to products other than HVAC filters. While these first three events can be classified as actual observations, there is a fourth event which I have to preface as a projection. Fourth, as industry comes back on stream, there will be an inevitable spike in demand for HVAC filters which will occur sometime around mid-June. Up until now we have experienced at least a trickle of products coming down the pipeline, however what I see coming is much more serious.

As Michelle mentions in her commentary, we were contacted last month by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Department of Defense (DOD) to discuss industrial base issues associated with materials needed to produce both masks and MERV-13 and higher HVAC filters. The DOD is ultimately responsible for the nation’s logistics for addressing COVID-19 supply chain issues. The recent survey sent out to our Distributor members was the first step in an accumulation of data by NAFA to support our industry’s concerns. We will continue to push awareness of our situation and will be drafting more of you to assist in making our case. See survey results in this issue. What NAFA members have gained from our certification programs, continuing education and networking have paid off these past few months. While others have debated topics such as how many seconds the SARS-CoV2 can remain viable when airborne or how far the virus might be capable of traveling, many of you have found it necessary to jump in to assist customers such as hospitals with immediate solutions such as quickly providing temporary negative pressure isolation rooms. When you are a 60-bed hospital with 23 COVID-19 patients, you don’t have the luxury of debating theory. Since the start of this pandemic, we have all been made aware of the importance of CAFS and NCT training in providing the best practical solutions to ever changing applications and requirements but also to insure that technicians are trained to work safely in potentially hazardous situations. I am more convinced than ever that critical facilities such as hospitals and medical care facilities should at a minimum require that anyone recommending, or servicing filters have a CAFS certification and we will continue to work toward this end. Communication has become more important than ever and I hope that each of you will take the time to let us know of your experiences or just how you are doing. Again, I thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. And if you happen to run into Jim Rosenthal please let him know that I will see him and all of you in Clearwater. ■ Stay safe,

Tom Justice NAFA President

Already I have spoken to distributors who have indicated that they are returning lower MERV filters and ordering higher MERV filters for replacement. In other incidences, media producers have canceled orders which were already in queue.

There are actions that we can take such as ensuring that adequate pre-filters are in place in order to extend the life of the final filter, but this will barely scratch the surface of the problem. And while our industry has proven over the years that we are capable doing what is necessary to meet situations of critical demand, absent the supply of product from high end media producers, our hands may be tied.

www.nafahq.org

New Certified Personnel CAFS Anthony Balmer, CAFS Harshaw Trane Supply Louisville, Kentucky

Brian Conran, NCT

Lonnie Allen Powers, NCT

Eugene A. Bayhon, CAFS REXIM Philippines Universal Sales Corp Paranque City Philippines

Kevin Fabere, NCT

William Cortes Ramirez, NCT

Karan Bhardwaj, CAFS Century Mechanical Systems Factory, LLC Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tim Griggs, NCT

Altiero Repanic, NCT

German Herrero, CAFS Tecas Group Miami, Florida

Anthony Gust, NCT

Amy Ihde, CAFS Freedom Air Filtration Downers Grove, Illinois Tommy Mogabgab, CAFS, NCT II Bruce Air Filter Charlotte, North Carolina James Scott Parris, CAFS Freudenberg Filtration Technologies Inc. Hopkinsville, Kentucky Joel S. Swann, CAFS AAF Flanders Gulf Breeze, Florida Kristin Summer, CAFS DualDraw, LLC Denver, Colorado

NCT Daniel Allgood, NCT

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 New Lenox, Illinois

Pablo Batrez, NCT

VECO, SA de CV Jiutepec, Morelos Mexico

Anthony Budgett, NCT

BFC Solutions/Pure Air Sales Jacksonville, Tennessee

Ignacio Cano, Jr., NCT POA Bend, Oregon

The Filter Shop Omaha, Nebraska

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Sandwich, Illinois Applied Air Filters Newark, California

POA Bend, Oregon

VECO, SA de CV Jiutepec, Morelos Mexico

Texas Facilities Commission Austin, Texas

Gregory Robertson, NCT

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Lockport, Illinois

Air Filter Superstore, LLC. Boise, Idaho

Joseph Halfin, NCT

Mario Rodriguez, NCT

Chadd Hughes, NCT

Oscar Rodriguez, NCT

Logan Jacobson, NCT

Samuel Ruiz, NCT

Nolan Lawrence, NCT

Miguel A. Salazar, NCT

Samuel Leos-Martinez, NCT

Christopher Schipiour, NCT

Jason Lindquist, NCT

Jerry Shelton, NCT

Addahir Maldonado, NCT

Seth Stewart, NCT

Connor Maloney, NCT

Teona Surrage, NCT

Gabriel Martinez, NCT

Zachary Tamez, NCT

Dennis L. McCool, NCT

Jorge Ruiz Valdes, NCT

Nicholas Mitsui, NCT

Nidia Valdovinos, NCT

Tom Muller, CAFS, NCT

James Whalen, NCT

Kody Pitner, NCT

Anthony Woodfork, NCT

POA Bend, Oregon

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Naperville, Illinois POA Bend, Oregon

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Morris, Illinois Dustless Air Filter Co. Inc. San Antonio, Texas Air Filter Superstore, LLC. Boise, Idaho TEX-AIR Filters/Air Relief Technologies Austin, Texas Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Channahon, Illinois Dustless Air Filter Co. Inc. San Antonio, Texas Texas Facilities Commission Bastrop, Texas Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Bartlett, Illinois Farrar Filter Company Inc. Paterson, New Jersey POA Bend, Oregon

VECO, SA de CV Jiutepec, Morelos Mexico Dustless Air Filter Co. Inc. San Antonio, Texas Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, Texas TEX-AIR Filters/Air Relief Technologies Austin, Texas Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Braidwood, Illinois Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Bourbonnais, Illinois Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Plano, Illinois Air Filter Superstore, LLC. Boise, Idaho Memorial Hermann Hospital Katy, Texas VECO, SA de CV Nezahuacoyotl Mexico

Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, Texas Sheet Metal Workers' Local 265 Chicago, Illinois Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, Texas

Steven A. Young, NCT

Memorial Hermann Hospital Humble, Texas â–

NAFA Air Media

www.nafahq.org

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NAFA News 2020 NAFA Award programs open Scholarship Deadline August 1, 2020 Each year the NAFA Foundation awards three (3) $1,000 NAFA Scholarships that honor students who demonstrate outstanding personal and academic characteristics. NAFA Foundation Scholarships help make the dream of a college education a reality for the winners The scholarship competition is open only to the immediate family of NAFA Distributor, Manufacturer and Supplemental members in good standing, or family members of employees of NAFA member firms. For this program, grandchildren of NAFA members are also eligible to compete. Encourage your employees to take advantage of this NAFA benefit! Clean Air Award Deadline August 1, 2020 The Clean Air Award is given in recognition of NAFA Members who encourage building facility managers to maintain a clean and healthy indoor work environment. The program was instituted to promote and recognize the use of high efficiency filtration products and good maintenance practices. Who is Eligible? All end users can qualify. Generally, any customer that has been following your recommendations has a good chance of qualifying. Most applications in the past have been for single buildings. However, we have had applications for school districts, cities, universities and other large institutions. Membership Awards Deadline August 1, 2020 Distinguished Service Award The Distinguished Service Award was instituted in 2008 to recognize individuals who, by their efforts, promote NAFA. Individuals eligible for the DSA must be a member in good standing to receive this honor. Hall of Fame Award In 2007, NAFA initiated the NAFA Hall of Fame award to recognize individuals who have left or retired from the air filter industry but did much to promote NAFA and air filtration during their careers. Lifetime Achievement Award The Lifetime Achievement Award, also instituted in 2008, recognizes individuals either in or outside the NAFA membership who have contributed to the overall knowledge of the art and science of air filtration. Learn more about NAFA Awards: https://www.nafahq.org/nafa-programs/ â–

NAFA Air Media

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NAFA Supply Chain Impact Survey Results The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Department of Defense (DOD) have raised some important questions regarding the HVAC filter supply chain and whether the impacts of the recent pandemic will affect the ability of specific segments of our industrial base to meet national needs. More specifically, will the increased demand for MERV-13 and higher HVAC filters exceed the availability of materials needed to meet the demands for both masks and filters? Tom Justice, NAFA President and Michelle Czosek, NAFA Executive Director, met with representatives from NREL and DOD to discuss industrial base issues associated with materials needed to produce both masks and MERV-13 and higher HVAC filters. To help the government better understand the implications of the shifting market for these critically important products, we queried all NAFA distributor members.

Disruption

Demand

Since the beginning of the current pandemic have you experienced any disruption in either your supply of finished filters or media from your current supplier?

Is this disruption (Chart 1) related to your own increase in demand, which your supplier(s) are now unable to meet?

No No

Yes

42%

58%

16 of 38

22 of 38

27% 6 of 22

Yes 73% 16 of 22

Shift Have you been able to shift your demand to other suppliers to prevent disruptions?

No 41% 15 of 37

Yes 59% 22 of 37

NAFA Air Media

Products What specific products that you purchase have experienced disruptions?

Housing

High Purity Products

Availability Delivery

MERV 13 and above Pleated Filters

HEPA Filter Material Increased Demand

Pandemic Impact

Have you experienced any increased demand for either filters or service work?

Is this increase (Chart 4) due to the pandemic?

No 4% 1 of 28

Yes

24%

96%

9 of 37

Yes

27 of 28

76% 28 of 37

Continued on page 18

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Continued from page 17

Types and Customers Will you elaborate on what specific products or type customers (hospitals, commercial buildings, etc.) have generated this increased demand?

Commercial Buildings 12 of 28 43%

Other 10 of 28 36%

Hospital and Healthcare Facilities 6 of 22 21%

Demand Level Do you anticipate demand to maintain at this level once the crisis has subsided?

Yes 57% 16 of 28

Reasons

No 43% 12 of 28

What reasons have been given by suppliers for being unable to fulfill orders?

Manpower

COVID Issues

Increased Demand Other

(other)

Shortage

The response rate for the survey was 24%. We thank all NAFA members who participated in this survey. Your input will help the many governmental agencies involved with the country's supply chain better understand the implications of the shifting market for these critically important products. â–

NAFA Air Media

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NAFA Annual Convention | Clearwater, Florida | November 3 - 5

Join us in Clearwater, Florida! Mark your calendar for the 2020 Annual Convention on the sun-drenched coast Join us to learn about advanced topics in air filtration and business oriented subjects. Take a break, reconnect and recharge with industry professionals at our annual banquet and reception. The program for the Annual Convention will be available soon, so mark your calendar for November 3 - 5. New to St. Petersburg/Clearwater area? With 35 miles of white-sugar sands, foodie-approved dining options, a world-class arts scene and endless family-friendly fun, there's much to discover along the Gulf Coast. History of Clearwater, Florida Located in Pinellas County, Florida, on Tampa Bay, Clearwater has a long and interesting history going back thousands of years to its original inhabitants, the Tocobaga Indians. Spanish explorers were attracted to the area by the natural mineral springs. In 1528 Panfilo de Narvaez, a Spanish explorer, landed in the area. Hernando de Soto followed in 1539, though de Soto is often credited with the “discovery” of the area. De Soto’s and his men were fascinated by the unspoiled beauty of the area and the mineral springs that the Tocobaga Indians used. Around 1835 the US Army built Fort Harrison to be used as an outpost during the Seminole Wars and during the American Civil War, Union gunboats repeatedly raided the city’s supplies. Clearwater was incorporated in 1891, and its popularity as a vacation destination grew after railroad magnate Henry B. Plant built a sprawling Victorian resort in 1897. During World War II, Clearwater became a major training base for US troops destined for Europe and the Pacific.

Thank you 2020 Sponsors! See the next page for a list of all our sponsors.

For more information: www.nafahq.org

Thank you 2020 NAFA Sponsors NAFA wants to give a huge thank you to our 2020 sponsors. You have continued your support in the face of unprecedented national crisis. NAFA sponsorship is an important part in keeping NAFA able to promote air filtration to the public and to be the The Global Source for Expertise, Education & Best Practices in Air Filtration.

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Technology of Clean Air presented to Southern Virginia Higher Education Center by Al Veeck, CAFS, NCT II

Al Veeck presents the "Technology of Clean Air" to the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center students

Retired doesn’t always mean inactive and I wanted to always be able to educate the next generation of HVAC&R technicians on the proper application of air filters. In a recent meeting in South Boston, Virginia, a town about 50 miles from my home at Lake Gaston, I met Dr. Betty Adams, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC). Dr. Adams and her great staff of educators run this unique educational institution that allows individuals in southern Virginia to continue their education in many high-demand technical fields, such as: • HVAC&R • Welding • Computer Science • Healthcare

This advances Southern Virginia’s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration. The SVHEC provides access to college degrees and job training and is focused on re-tooling Southern Virginia’s rural workforce for jobs.

Mr. Thomas "Chris" Walton, SVHEC HVAC Program Lead Instructor and Maria "Michelle" Newcomb, SVHEC HVAC Program Lab Tech/ Instructor, allowed me to come to their classroom on Wednesday, February 12 and present the Technology of Clean Air to their group of trained HVAC students who are ready to sit for their licensure and begin working in the industry. My friend and long time NAFA member Jeff Holt, CAFS, NCT of Airflow Products Co., Inc. was kind enough to supply me with some showand-tell filter samples and the group expressed interest in the different types of filters that should be used in residential and light commercial applications. In addition, they had questions about UVC and where and how to utilize this product. Thanks to many years of work with expert Bill Palmer, we were able to relate correct applications of UVC in HVAC units. All NAFA Members should avail themselves of the great opportunity to give back to the industry and their community by taking time to present the principles of air filtration and its correct application to this new generation of young people.

NAFA Air Media

Airflow Products Co., Inc. donated filters to help teach the class on the proper application of air filters

The mission of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) is to advance southern Virginiaâ€™s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration. For more than 30 years, the SVHEC has been helping people in Southern Virginia transform their lives by harnessing the power of education. Through a unique partnership with community colleges and state universities, they are able to provide convenient, affordable access to a wide range of college and career training opportunities in South Boston, Virginia. The SVHEC has been providing affordable access to education since 1986 when they began operations out of a modest 500 square-foot mobile unit on the grounds of the local high school. Since that time they have become a state agency (2005), and now operate out of two re-purposed tobacco warehouses donated by local benefactors and renovated with community bonds, private donations, historic tax credits and various state and federal grants. For more information about the SVHEC please visit www.svhec.org, or call 434-572-5446, or email info@svhec.org. â–

www.nafahq.org

Al Veeck, CAFS, NCT II, is the retired Executive Director of NAFA and has over 31 years in the air filter industry. He now lives at beautiful Lake Gaston in Virginia with his wife Nancy and is an active Rotarian. He continues to enjoy boating, golfing, building sets for the local theater group in South Hill, and entertaining his 8 grand kids and many friends. You can contact Al at: mvainc1@gmail.com.

In the HVAC industry

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2021 AHR Expo | Chicago, Illinois | January 25 - 27

Industry Calendar 2020 2020 ASHRAE Annual Conference June 27 - July 1 Austin, Texas Women in HVACR Annual Conference September 9 - 11 Chicago, Illinois SMACNA 2020 Annual Convention September 27 - 30 Colorado Springs, Colorado NAFA Annual Convention November 3 - 5 Clearwater, Florida

2020 AHR Expo final attendee total was over 50,000! 2021 AHR Expo The AHR Expo is the world’s largest HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. The Show provides a unique forum where manufacturers of all sizes and specialties, whether a major industry brand or innovative start-up, can come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology under one roof. Since 1930, the AHR Expo has remained the industry’s best place for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators and other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and to cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships. The event is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, endorsed by many industry leading organizations, and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference.

For NAFA Members Hotel Information NAFA has reserved a hotel block at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605. • Room rate: $179 + tax for single/double • Shuttle service between the hotel and the event is provided • Dates available: check in no earlier than Saturday, January 23; check out no later than Thursday, January 28. NAFA Member Booths If you have a booth at the 2021 AHR Expo, be sure to let us know by sending an email to nafa@nafahq.org. Booth Volunteers needed We need member volunteers to staff the NAFA booth (N2728) at the expo. All volunteers will receive an exhibitor badge and earn 2 CEUs towards their certification.

Greenbuild Conference & Expo November 4 - 7 San Diego, California 2020 HARDI Annual Conference December 5 - 8 Atlanta, Georgia

2021 AHR Expo Visit NAFA at booth N2728 January 25 - 27 Chicago, Illinois NAHB International Builders’ Show February 9 - 11 Orlando, Florida AHRI Spring Meeting May 25 - 27 Washington, D.C. AHR Mexico September 21 - 23 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

For more information on the AHR Expo: https://tinyurl.com/NAFA2021AHR. ■

NAFA Air Media

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NAFA Guidelines Update

The NAFA Guidelines Committee will now feature a new NAFA Guideline each month in the Filter Advisor newsletter and they have added a “suggest a new guideline" page. Check out all our guidelines here: https://www.nafahq.org/nafa-best-practice-guidelines/. NAFA publishes a series of air filtration best practice guidelines based on these industry codes, but that go further to recommend and incorporate the “highest level of air filtration standards” for specific applications. NAFA currently offers the below guidelines which are available on the our website. 

! New

Airborne Infections Containment

! New

Commercial Offices

Molecular Filtration

Firing Ranges

Schools

Higher Education Complexes

Spray Finishing Particulate

Libraries, Archives & Museums

Welding Fumes

Bulk up your writing skills! Want to be a published author?*

Have you authored an air filtration blog or article that you’d like republished? NAFA’s Air Media wants to hear from you! Contact: nafa@nafahq.org

*You can earn 4 points toward your certification!

NAFA Air Media

Conserving Our World BACKGROUND Can humans really talk to some animals? Where can you find a one-of-a-kind Frozen Zoo with over 8,000 living tissue samples? Will 16,000 plants and animals disappear from our earth as endangered species? 200 researchers at the San Diego Zoo’s Beckman Institute for Conservation Research, located in Escondido California, are busy looking for the answers by applying the most innovative and creative science possible. The largest zoo-based multidisciplinary research facility in the world boasts the latest advances in science and technology to help rescue endangered species from the brink of extinction. Motivated by sustainability and conserving our world for future generations, the 50,000 square foot facility containing numerous laboratories, offices and an extensive library was designed to meet SilverLevel LEED certification standards from the US Green Building Council.

that utilize a dozen disposable MERV 8 (35%) extended surface pleated prefilters plus another set of final MERV 14 (90-95%) high capacity extended surface mini-pleat filters. The system’s air intake louvers and coils are built into the outside walls of the brick building. Along with fresh air, the air intakes drew in environmental dust and moisture, which in turn clogged and collapsed the disposable prefilters. Restricted air flow, HVAC system downtime, increased cleaning maintenance and frequent filter change outs were a costly problem. A quick fix with non-woven blue tackified polyester cut-to size was tried, but didn’t hold up well to outdoor climate, accumulated waste with frequent changes and looked terrible from visible public walkways.

Located at the base of the building, the air intakes are surrounded by botanical elements and fine dust from decomposed granite dirt covered public walk ways and animal enclosures.

Facility maintenance removes the filter screens monthly, hoses them clean and quickly reinstalls them. Pleased with the results, the air handlers are running efficiently clean and maintenance has reduced filter bank disposable prefilters to quarterly change outs and final filters last 2 years.

CHALLENGES As part of a medical and science campus, the Beckman Center lies adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s 1,800 acres of free-range enclosures and natural habitat exhibits for over 3,500 animals and 1.5 million botanical specimens. Natural environmental settings (as well as the 2 million zoo visitors annually) create vast amounts of airborne pollen, seeds, dust and dirt. The York air handlers, installed to remove and replace fresh air throughout the center, require plenty of air filtration with the help of multi-stage filter banks

SIMPLY calculate your savings. Control costs and airborne debris with the PreVent system. To add up your savings, visit permatron.com/calculator

SOLUTION Construction and maintenance lead for the facility, Jeff Wilson, worked with Total Filtration Service’s local field professional to find a sustainable air intake solution. PreVent® equipment protection air intake filters were custom sized and finished with a flexible edge and grommets to install easily onto the outside louvers with matched mount clips. The UV protected electrostatic polypropylene filter captures airborne dust and debris before it enters the system, allowing the filter banks to work efficiently at capturing fine particles.

A preventative maintenance solution, like PreVent equipment protection filters, is a very cost effective and sustainable way to keep equipment running clean and energy efficient in an effort to conserve our world for future generations.

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Executive Profile

Steve Griffiths, CAFS

General Manager and Owner of Independent Filter Service How did you get your start in the filter industry? As a 10 year old I used to wash out panel and pad filters for pocket money in the backyard of our house in suburban Melbourne. In later years, I would occasionally work part-time as a filter serviceman when I was a university student. Back then I didn’t seriously consider or appreciate the opportunities the filter industry had to offer. I traveled to Europe as a backpacker in my 20’s and ended up living in Sweden for 6 years. After returning to Australia in 1995, I helped set up the company’s first computers in the office and started working full time in the filter industry in 1998.

In a prior life, Steve worked and studied in the behavioural science field in Sweden and Australia, which occasionally comes in handy running a business with over 20 staff and hundreds of customers. Outside of managing the company, he is Vice President of the local junior Australian Rules Football club. Steve is married to Michelle and they have 3 sons, 15, 13 & 11.

“...our customers have been impressed that we are members [of NAFA] and can readily provide industry backed knowledge and guidelines. ”

How do you motivate your employees? Our employees are motivated by taking ownership of their regular sites and liaising directly with the facility manager and specific customers. We provide financial incentives and peer recognition for successful upgrades and going above & beyond the normal installation. We also empower service staff to put together quotations and equipment schedules after site audits. On a bi-monthly basis we hold a company staff lunch on a Friday which usually involves the popular choice of pizza with a few beers. Our regular bi-monthly lunch helps build excellent camaraderie between all our employees. Did you have a business mentor and if so, who is/was it? Originally it was my father Dale, and to this day I still discuss ideas about the business with him. He is a fit 83 year old that still enjoys coming to work once or twice a week. In more recent years I also seek opinions and ideas from fellow managers in our company and friends who own businesses in other fields. Listening and learning from what other industries have done to improve productivity has been very beneficial. What’s the best piece of business advice anyone ever gave you? I have been given 2 pieces of advice that have helped me: • Get to know your customers personally to learn what each one values. • Try to work with people you like and trust, because most weeks you will spend more time with them than your own family.

What is the most challenging aspect in the running your company? In Australia one of the most challenging aspects is the lack of regulation in the air filtration industry that has allowed cheap generic “no brand” filters manufactured in Asia to flood the local market. This has driven down prices and lowered the importance of performance and quality. Do you have any words of wisdom for up and coming filter professionals? Keep learning, NAFA is one of the great sources for that. How has your company benefited from NAFA membership? NAFA has provided a major part of our staff training and reference base. Even though NAFA is not widely recognised in Australia yet, our customers have been impressed that we are members and can readily provide industry backed knowledge and guidelines. Obtaining several Clean Air Awards has also improved our profile and proved to be a very good marketing tool. The people I met at my first NAFA meeting in 2009 are considered friends today. Some have become customers, but many others have helped me network and grow my business in ways that I couldn’t do myself. Our company is grateful for the opportunities provided by NAFA membership. ■ Independent Filter Service, based in Melbourne Australia, is a second-generation family owned business that has just celebrated its 44th year. We manufacture, supply and install air conditioning filters for commercial and industrial applications. Our quality Australian made filters are manufactured in our factory using Australian produced materials. We also import quality American made high efficiency filters. Our filters can be found in many different types of building such as Health Care Facilities, Commercial Office Towers, Retail Facilities, Universities, Quarantine Facilities, Melbourne Airport, as well as stadiums like the MCG and Rod Laver Arena. We have over 20 long term employees that take pride in providing prompt and specialised service delivery for many air conditioning mechanical contractors who rely on our filter products and services.

NAFA Air Media

Captured Air Kitchen Exhaust Filter The Captured Air Kitchen Filter is designed for removing odors from kitchens. This filter removes smoke, grease, and other odors commonly found in commercial kitchens.

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Filled with XB-17 for Removing Odors Such As:  Oils & Greases  Cooked Herbs & Species  Burned Food  Smoke  Fried Food  Odorous Fumes

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From the Executive Director by Michelle Czosek, CAE

We’re All in This Together First, let me say that I hope as you read this column that you and those you love are safe and healthy. For any NAFA members that are being challenged during this time please know that the NAFA Board and staff are thinking of you and looking for ways to provide the resources you need.

Every time we are on the verge of printing Air Media, I struggle with exactly what I’m going to write about so long that Terry ends up chasing me down. This column is an exception to that general rule. Right now, COVID-19 is at the forefront of people’s minds. There is no line that keeps this pandemic from easily crossing back and forth between our personal and professional lives. There is no leaving the office, which for many of us is now located at some spot in our home, and setting aside the stress of what this is doing to our family, friends, businesses and lives. As I look at the havoc this pandemic is wreaking in our world and how vulnerable it makes me feel personally, I try to embrace the positive things I see and the light that is there. On a recent webinar, the presenter asked us to chat what our theme song for this time is and mine was easy – We’re All in This Together (yes, from High School Musical – I have two daughters). For me, that is because of the true sense of community that I’ve felt as I’ve worked with colleagues, the NAFA Board and, frankly, everyone I’ve interacted with lately. I must recognize and thank Tom Justice, NAFA President, for his guidance and time throughout this challenging period. As an association, NAFA wants to provide resources that we hope will help as we navigate together. NAFA offered a webinar, COVID-19 and Air Filtration Frequently Asked Questions, that attracted 400 registrants and is available for on-

demand viewing. There is an accompanying web page in both English and Spanish, and both are attracting a lot of visitors. We also have a COVID-19 resource page where you can find links to NAFA, ASHRAE and government pages. With help from our friends at INDA we were able to provide an Essential Business Template to our members. In conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Department of Defense (DOD), NAFA surveyed distributor members to help answer some important questions regarding the HVAC filter supply chain and whether the impacts of the recent pandemic will affect the ability of specific segments of our industrial base to meet national needs. More specifically, will the increased demand for MERV-13 and higher HVAC filters exceed the availability of materials needed to meet the demands for both masks and filters? Thank you to those who participated. High level survey results are available in this issue (page 16). For those of you interested in earning your NAFA Certified Technician (NCT) designation, we encourage you to take the exam online. The exam is also now available in Spanish and by the time you read this issue, we will have held an NCT tutorial webinar in Spanish. One question on everyone’s mind is whether the 2020 Annual Convention scheduled for November 3-5 in Clearwater is still on track to be held in person. For now, the answer is yes, but we are monitoring the situation and will update you as new information becomes available. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any NAFA Board member if you have questions, ideas for resources that we can provide to our community or if you just wish to talk to someone that’s experiencing the same issues and challenges you are. This is truly a time where the power of NAFA and the association community we have built shines through. I sincerely hope to see you in person soon so that we can come together to do what we do best – network, share and learn. In the meantime, please take care of yourselves and each other. ■ Stay well, Michelle Czosek, CAE

NAFA Air Media

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