Smoke plume and flames from the peak to peak highway wildfire

Wildfire Smoke Filtration: Protect Your Indoor Air Quality

As the frequency of wildfires increases throughout the United States, the health implications of wildfire smoke are becoming increasingly significant for schools, businessed, and warehouses in areas often impacted by these natural disasters. Leaders from the education, air quality, and public health communities have recognized the severity of the issue and, in response, established a working group to develop state guidance regarding air quality for California’s 1,026 school districts during wildfire smoke days.

When a wildfire occurs, the smoke it produces can significantly impact air quality, both outdoors and indoors. Wildfire smoke contains a variety of harmful substances, including fine particles (PM2.5), particulate matter, carbon monoxide, VOCs, and heavy metals. Generally 2.5 µm in diameter or smaller represent a main pollutant emitted from wildfire smoke, comprising approximately 90% of total particle mass, making it a major health concern, especially in regions frequently affected by wildfires.

According to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), wildfire smoke can be carried by wind and become a hazard for employees working in indoor workplaces, even those located many miles from evacuation zones.

The particle pollution found in the smoke from wildfires can cause irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled, potentially causing or worsening respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Wildfire smoke can also increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

Children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, particularly respiratory or heart disease, are at a higher risk from wildfire smoke. Even healthy individuals can experience symptoms after extended exposure. While most of the health effects associated with wildfire smoke are temporary, repeated exposure may have long-term health impacts, including potential risks for lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

Because the particles in wildfire smoke are so small, it can seep into buildings and warehouses through ventilation systems, gaps around windows and doors, and other openings, negatively impacting indoor air quality. If you go to school, work, or own a business in an area prone to wildfires, a reliable air filtration system is essential for preventing health and safety risks and maintaining good indoor air quality when smoke is present.

Schools, businesses, and warehouses require more powerful air filtration solutions. Commercial and industrial air cleaners, many equipped with carbon or HEPA filters, can handle larger volumes of air. These units are designed to remove the majority of harmful particles present in wildfire smoke.

Blue Ox air filtration systems are designed to improve indoor air quality for business of all types and sizes. Our air cleaning systems are available in two distinct airflow layouts. The first one utilizes a pass-thru design, featuring a grill/fan on one end and filters on the opposite end. It operates by drawing in contaminated air through the filters and expelling it via the grill at the other end, establishing a direct-flow mechanism.

The second airflow layout is the T style, where the grill/fan is centrally located and pulls in polluted air through filters positioned on either side, emitting clean air from the unit's core. This design offers double the filtration capacity compared to the pass-thru model, with twice the filter media installed within the same unit.

Both unit types exchange the air in a room eight times per hour, eliminating 95% of wildfire smoke, VOCs, and additional particle pollution that may infiltration your school, business or warehouse. The type of air filtration system required to eliminate wildfire smoke will vary based on the size of the facility. Medium and larger-sized facilities often need to install multiple units to create a circular air pattern and achieve the proper amount of air exchanges.

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OX1100-CF Air Filtration Systems

For small schools or classrooms, businesses, and warehouses, we highly suggest the Blue Ox OX1100-CF. This unit features a pass-thru airflow design and is equipped with a 2-inch thick Carbon After Filter for moderate odor management. Its compact design makes the OX1100-CF air filtration system ideal for limited spaces, as it can be easily installed in confined space applications.

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OX2500 Air Filtration Systems

The Blue Ox OX2500 is an excellent option for medium-sized schools or classrooms, businesses, and warehouses because these units come equipped with highly efficient disposable filters made from micro-glass fibers. OX2500 air filtration systems feature a pass-thru airflow pattern and provide a low ratio of air-flow-to-filter, resulting in superior efficiency and an extended lifespan for the filter.

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OX3000 Air Filtration Systems

Blue Ox OX3000 air filtration systems are are ideally suited for larger schools or classrooms, businesses and warehouses. These units feature a unique T-pattern airflow design, featuring inlets at both ends and an exhaust in the center. OX3000 units come equipped with two sets of disposable micro-glass fiber filters, increasing the overall filter surface area and enabling the unit to operate under significantly reduced static pressure.

Improving the air quality in schools, businesses, and warehouses faced with wildfire smoke offers a multitude of significant benefits. Firstly, it protects employee health by reducing their exposure to harmful particulates that are found in wildfire smoke. Improved air quality not only ensures that the staff is safe and comfortable, but also prolongs the life of warehouse equipment by protecting it from smoke damage, reducing the frequency and cost of maintenance and replacement expenses.

A clean air work environment safeguards stored goods from smoke preserving value and quality. Maintaining high quality air also helps ensure your warehouse meets environmental and occupational safety and health regulations, avoiding potential fines or penalties. Lastly, an air filtration system can mitigate unpleasant odors caused by wildfire smoke, contributing to a more pleasing environment for staff and visitors.

Regardless of school or business size, it is essential that all facilities manage wildfire smoke and establish good air quality. Blue Ox air filtration systems play a pivotal role in alleviating the impact of wildfire smoke – our systems promote health and safety and contribute to a comfortable and productive work environment.

Connect with our specialists to learn more about wildfire smoke and indoor air quality and discover how our air filtration systems can benefit your educational instiution or business space.

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