PORTABLE AIR SCRUBBERS • HEPA • CARBON FILTRATION • TORONTO & THE GTA
Portable air scrubbers for renovation dust, airborne particles, odours and temporary filtration.
Air scrubbers are high-airflow portable filtration machines used to continuously process air within a defined work area. DAVESDUCTS can help determine when HEPA particulate filtration, activated-carbon media or a multi-stage configuration is appropriate for renovation, construction and other temporary indoor-air-quality applications.
WHAT IS AN AIR SCRUBBER?
A portable filtration system that continuously processes room air.
An air scrubber draws surrounding air through one or more filtration stages and returns filtered air to the space. Depending on the installed media, the system can be configured primarily for airborne particulate or can incorporate activated carbon for selected gases and odours.
Airborne Particles
HEPA-equipped air scrubbers can capture fine airborne particulate from the air that passes through the machine.
Renovation Dust
Continuous filtration can help reduce airborne dust generated during appropriate construction and renovation activities when combined with source containment and cleanup.
Odours & Selected Gases
Activated-carbon configurations can be used for certain odours and gaseous contaminants. Carbon filtration is a different process from HEPA particulate filtration.
HEPA VS. CARBON
Different contaminants require different filtration media.
One filter does not remove every type of contaminant. The first step is identifying whether the concern is particulate, gases/odours or a combination.
PARTICULATE
HEPA Filtration
HEPA media is designed for high-efficiency capture of airborne particles from air passing through the filter. The equipment currently presented by DAVESDUCTS uses HEPA media rated at 99.97% efficiency at the commonly referenced 0.3-micron test size.
GASES & ODOURS
Activated Carbon
Activated-carbon media adsorbs selected gaseous contaminants and odours. Its effectiveness and service life depend on the contaminant, concentration, airflow, carbon quantity and exposure time.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
HEPA does not mean VOC removal, and carbon does not mean HEPA filtration.
Where both particulate and odours or selected gases are concerns, a properly configured multi-stage filtration system may be appropriate.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
When does an air scrubber make sense?
Renovations
Help manage airborne particulate while drywall, demolition, cutting, sanding or other dust-generating work is underway.
Construction
Provide temporary air filtration within appropriate controlled work areas during construction activities.
Post-Construction Cleaning
Continue processing airborne particulate while final source cleaning and dust removal are completed.
Odour Events
Selected activated-carbon media may help with certain temporary odour or gaseous-contaminant concerns after the source has been identified.
Occupied Renovations
Supplement proper isolation and source control when construction is occurring within an otherwise occupied building.
Temporary IAQ Control
Provide higher-capacity portable filtration where a permanent whole-home system is not the appropriate solution.
SOURCE CONTROL FIRST
An air scrubber should support containment — not replace it.
Filtration works best when dust and contaminants are controlled where they are generated. During renovation or construction, the overall strategy can include physical isolation, local capture, housekeeping, appropriate exhaust or pressure control, and portable filtration.
01
Isolate
Separate the work area from unaffected areas where practical.
02
Control the Source
Capture or minimize dust at the activity creating it whenever possible.
03
Filter the Air
Use appropriately configured portable filtration to process airborne material that escapes source control.
04
Clean Surfaces
Air filtration does not remove settled debris. Physical cleaning remains necessary.
SIZING & AIRFLOW
The machine needs enough airflow for the space and application.
Portable filtration performance depends on how much air the machine processes, the volume of the space, filter loading, room configuration and the rate at which new contaminants are generated.
Room Volume
Floor area and ceiling height determine the approximate volume of air being treated.
Machine Airflow
Higher usable airflow can process the equivalent room volume more frequently, subject to the installed filters and actual operating conditions.
Contaminant Generation
A machine that performs well after work stops may not keep pace with heavy dust generation while the work is actively occurring.
AIR CHANGES PER HOUR
Airflow × 60 ÷ room volume = approximate filtration air changes per hour.
ACH is a useful sizing reference, but it does not guarantee uniform contaminant removal. Room layout, mixing, containment, leakage and contaminant generation all affect actual conditions.
MULTI-STAGE FILTRATION
Configure the media around the contaminant.
The air-scrubber design currently shown by DAVESDUCTS uses a cylindrical filter arrangement that can accept different filtration stages. This allows particulate and selected gas/odour applications to be approached differently rather than treating every job the same.
HEPA Cylinder
High-efficiency particulate filtration with a cylindrical design that provides a large filter-media surface area.
Carbon Cylinder
Activated granular carbon can be incorporated for selected gaseous contaminants and odours.
Combined Media
HEPA and carbon stages can be combined where the application involves both airborne particulate and selected odours or gases.
FILTER LIFE
There is no universal replacement interval.
Heavy dust loading can increase filter resistance, while carbon capacity depends on the contaminant and exposure. Filters should be inspected and replaced according to equipment requirements and actual job conditions.
AIR SCRUBBER VS. WHOLE-HOME HEPA
Temporary jobsite filtration and permanent HVAC filtration serve different purposes.
PORTABLE / TEMPORARY
Air Scrubber
A movable high-airflow filtration machine that can be positioned close to a work area or temporary contaminant source. It is useful when filtration needs to move with the project or when permanent duct integration is unnecessary.
PERMANENT / WHOLE-HOME
HEPA Filtration System
A dedicated filtration appliance integrated with a suitable HVAC duct system for ongoing particulate filtration throughout the areas served by that system.
NEGATIVE AIR
Can an air scrubber be used as a negative-air machine?
Some portable filtration machines can be ducted so filtered exhaust air is discharged outside a contained area, creating a pressure relationship that can help limit migration from the work zone. Whether this is appropriate depends on the equipment, building, work and applicable project requirements.
NOT THE SAME AS PLUG-AND-PLAY FILTRATION
Pressure-control projects require planning.
Exhausting air changes building pressure and can affect make-up air, combustion appliances, neighbouring spaces and HVAC operation. Negative-air setups should be designed for the specific project rather than created simply by attaching a hose to a portable filter.
WHAT AIR SCRUBBERS DO NOT DO
Portable filtration has limits.
They Don’t Remove Settled Dust
Dust already on floors, framing, furniture and other surfaces still requires physical source cleaning.
They Don’t Repair the Source
Filtration does not correct a water leak, combustion problem, uncontrolled chemical source or defective building component.
They Aren’t Universal Remediation Equipment
Hazardous-material, asbestos, lead, mould remediation and other regulated or specialized work can require project-specific containment, procedures, testing and qualified contractors.
RENOVATION & HVAC SYSTEMS
Protect the building’s HVAC system while dusty work is underway.
Construction dust can migrate through a building and into return-air openings, equipment and ductwork. Portable filtration should be considered together with appropriate HVAC protection and work-area containment.
Return-Air Protection
Prevent the HVAC system from becoming an unintended dust-collection and distribution path during construction.
Equipment Protection
Fine construction debris can load filters and contaminate accessible HVAC components if the system is operated inappropriately during dusty work.
Post-Construction Review
If significant contamination has entered the HVAC system, evaluate whether source-removal duct and equipment cleaning is appropriate after construction.
PART OF A COMPLETE IAQ STRATEGY
Use the right tool for the actual air-quality problem.
An air scrubber is particularly useful for temporary, localized filtration. Other concerns may be better addressed through permanent HEPA filtration, ventilation, humidity control, duct-system work or source correction.
Ongoing Particulate Concern
Consider permanent whole-home or portable HEPA filtration designed around the occupied space.
Stale / Poorly Ventilated Space
Consider whether controlled outdoor-air ventilation is the missing part of the IAQ strategy.
Not Sure What’s Needed?
Start with the contaminant or concern instead of choosing a product first.
WHY DAVESDUCTS?
Filtration plus an understanding of HVAC and air distribution.
DAVESDUCTS works with HVAC systems, ductwork, HEPA filtration, ventilation and source-removal duct cleaning. That broader mechanical perspective helps determine where portable filtration fits — and when another solution is more appropriate.
HEPA Filtration
Understand the difference between portable jobsite filtration and permanent whole-home filtration.
HVAC Systems
Consider how construction, pressure changes and filtration interact with the building’s heating and cooling equipment.
Duct Systems
Evaluate air-distribution pathways and HVAC contamination when dusty work affects the mechanical system.
IAQ Approach
Match filtration, ventilation, humidity control and source correction to the actual concern.
AIR SCRUBBER FAQ
Common questions about portable HEPA and carbon filtration.
What is an air scrubber?
An air scrubber is a portable filtration machine that draws room air through one or more filters and returns processed air to the space. Depending on the media installed, it can be configured for airborne particulate, selected gases and odours, or a combination.
What is the difference between an air scrubber and an air purifier?
The terms can overlap, but air scrubber commonly describes higher-airflow portable equipment intended for work areas, construction or temporary filtration. Residential air purifiers are generally intended for ongoing filtration in occupied spaces.
Do air scrubbers remove construction dust?
HEPA-equipped air scrubbers can capture airborne construction particulate that passes through the filter. They should be used together with source control, containment and physical cleaning because they do not remove settled dust.
Does an air scrubber remove VOCs?
HEPA media is for particulate, not gaseous VOC removal. Selected air scrubbers can use activated-carbon media intended to adsorb certain gases and odours. Performance depends on the contaminant, carbon quantity, airflow and exposure.
What does HEPA 99.97% at 0.3 microns mean?
It describes the filtration efficiency of qualifying HEPA media at the commonly referenced 0.3-micron test size for air passing through the filter. It does not mean that 99.97% of all particles throughout a room disappear immediately.
Can an air scrubber capture particles smaller than 0.3 microns?
HEPA media can capture particles both larger and smaller than the commonly referenced 0.3-micron test size through several filtration mechanisms. Whole-room reduction still depends on airflow, mixing, sources and containment.
How many air scrubbers do I need?
That depends on room volume, machine airflow, filter configuration, contaminant-generation rate, containment and the filtration objective. Air changes per hour can be used as one sizing reference.
Can I use an air scrubber during a renovation while living in the house?
Portable filtration can be one part of an occupied-renovation dust-control plan, but work-area isolation, source capture, housekeeping and protection of the HVAC system remain important.
Can an air scrubber create negative pressure?
Some machines can be configured to discharge filtered air outside a contained area. This changes building pressure and should be planned around make-up air, combustion appliances, HVAC operation and project requirements.
Does an air scrubber replace duct cleaning after a renovation?
No. An air scrubber filters airborne material. If construction debris has entered the HVAC equipment or duct system, that contamination needs to be evaluated separately to determine whether source-removal cleaning is appropriate.
Can an air scrubber be used for mould or asbestos remediation?
Portable HEPA filtration may be one component of certain professional containment systems, but mould, asbestos, lead and other hazardous-material projects can require specialized assessment, procedures, containment, testing and qualified contractors. A general-purpose air scrubber should not be treated as a complete remediation plan.
Is an air scrubber the same as whole-home HEPA?
No. An air scrubber is typically portable and suited to temporary or localized filtration. Whole-home HEPA is permanently integrated with an appropriate HVAC duct system for ongoing filtration of the areas served by that system.
Does DAVESDUCTS provide air-scrubber solutions in Toronto and the GTA?
DAVESDUCTS can help with applicable portable air-scrubber and filtration applications in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us with the space, project and contaminant concern so the application can be reviewed.
PORTABLE HEPA & CARBON FILTRATION • TORONTO & THE GTA
Renovation dust, airborne particulate or an odour concern?
Tell DAVESDUCTS what is happening in the space. We can help determine whether portable HEPA filtration, activated carbon, multi-stage filtration or another indoor-air-quality approach is appropriate.
