Misdirection

When magicians place a person in a box, cover the box, then pull the cover away within seconds and the person is gone, this trick is often referred to as misdirection or sometimes called slight of hand. In either case the idea is to get you to look one way while the action is actually taking place somewhere else. Simple, effective and easily done by trained entertainers who couch themselves as Magicians.

Misdirection was, and in many cases still is, used often in the early 30’s and 40’s when a peddler selling a product would demonstrate the operation and value of the item to the audience. When you purchased the item, always packed in a box, took it home it often didn’t work or would not perform at the same level as described by the salesmen. When you went to return the item the seller was often no where to be seen. Even today with the “As Seen On TV” products flood the dollar stores and discount houses, the products often fail to meet the perceived expectations.

The technicians at Pure Air Systems have been manufacturing commercial grade, certified, fan powered HEPA based air filtration systems  since 1985. From the beginning the systems produced by PAS always met or exceeded the performance expectations of their customers. The PAS systems are a more expensive product than some of the other non-HEPA based filtration, air purification and electronic air cleaners currently on the market. Unfortunately many of these “lesser performing devices” claim to provide the same particle reduction capabilities as HEPA filters, but at a lower cost.

Often times a new Pure Air Systems customer will try one, two or more alternate “air filtration/purification” devices before they actually purchase one of the seven different HEPA models offered by PAS. The other “HEPA Type” or “HEPA Like” companies provide inaccurate information as to the overall ability of their products to remove and/or reduce the levels of harmful airborne particulates and contaminants. But because the systems are less expensive individuals will buy the hype only to find their is truth in the statement, “you get what you pay for.”

This is not to say that other types of filtration and purification systems are effective. But for those companies, institutions and medical operations that require initial efficiency’s of 99.99% at 0.3 microns or larger, then the only option they have is to use the HEPA based systems by Pure Air Systems. Don’t be fooled by the imitators.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: https://www.pureairsystems.com  or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems, or call us at anytime on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

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If Their Lips Are Moving They’re Lying

Watching a political debate these days would be like watching the Christians and the Lions in the Roman Colosseum…you are not sure which one to root for. You want to believe one of the political participants actually knows what they are doing and has the ability to wear down their opponent with logical, rational thoughts and ideas. Unfortunately, it seems that the real purpose of the debate is to pummel each other with lies, half-truths, innuendo’s and dramatic body gestures. Unfortunately  this process has become more accepted over the years and now it is very difficult to tell who is lying and who is telling the truth. Hence the term..”If their lips are moving they’re lying.”

The business world, in many ways, shares the same primordial bent on information propaganda. In fact, it is easier today to start a controversy over a particular subject, product or process simply by indicating that your competitors product lacks a certain feature that yours offers. The feature may be minor and one that perhaps most of the owners of that product seldom use…but the propaganda will get traction as the social media pundits make the half-truths go viral. And in a matter of days the half-truths become major differences and the spinning begins. It is human nature.

In 1985 Pure Air Systems opened its doors and began to market a true, certified, commercial grade HEPA based, fan powered air filtration system. The 600H, as it was called, also included carbon media for odor and gaseous pollutant control. From the start, the process of marketing a then, little known technology, to the residential market was very challenging. Most people were familiar with electronic air cleaners and the new ozone systems that had just hit the market.

In 1985 HEPA filters were primarily used in the electronics industry, medical facilities and biological research laboratories. Few people outside these areas knew much about HEPA and even fewer understood how they worked. After all, fiberglass air filters and electronic air filters were the norm for most HVAC systems in the residential, commercial and institutional markets. Once the 600H unit was made available the competitors started throwing up unsubstantiated rumors about why the HEPA filters could not be used in a normal HVAC system or that they were too expensive, etc, etc. One thing that they could not compete with was the absolute performance of the HEPA filters to remove 99% of all airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger from the air. The fiberglass and electronic filter devices could, at best, remove very small percentages of particles even 20 microns in size. Most harmful particulate is smaller than 1 micron in diameter.

It took a number of years to convince the public and commercial markets that the HEPA systems offered by Pure Air Systems were the best alternative for reduction and/or removal of airborne particulate in any application. The proof of the pudding was, as they say, in the tasting. Consistent performance, reliability and access to truthful and reliable information gave PAS the success it has today. It is easier to  bend the truth and incorporate half-truths than to prove yourself right by constant performance. But in the end the truth will win out.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com, or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. Of course you can always call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

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Filtration Cliff

There is no lack of comment, opinion and overblown diatribe regarding the upcoming potential “fiscal cliff.” The politicos love to be able to scare people by predicting economic catastrophe if certain members of either party don’t come to a consensus on how to resolve this problem. The interesting thing is that even if the parties don’t agree something will happen without their involvement or decision. And, chances are that all this partisan posturing will be replaced with a compromise that will give credit to both parties while making the right decision for the American public. Disaster averted!

In the field of air filtration there are often two distinct approaches to resolving the same problem. And, like the political parties, one is often more correct than the other. More over, the right decision will have a very positive effect over a very long period of time and for a large number of individuals.

The removal of airborne particles from indoor air environments has always employed some type of mechanical filter. Cloth medias, fiberglass filters, cotton fiber filters and the man made medias ( including HEPA ) have been around for over 70 years. Mechanical filters are simple in nature. They capture the airborne particles that are drawn through them ( usually by a fan or air moving device) and the larger particles get caught in the media fibers while some of the tiny particles pass through. Over time as the filter media loads up, or gets dirtier, even most of the smaller particles are caught in the filter. In the case of HEPA filters, sub-micron particles are captured at efficiencies approaching 99.99% at less than 0.3 microns in size.

One other type of filtration device was also developed and used in the early 50’s and a variation of that technology is still use today. The electronic air cleaner was a simple device that used positive/negative charges to attract particles as they passed through a charged wire grid. The earlier versions were not very effective except for capturing very large particles. The newer versions are slightly better but this technology is really not appropriate for any applications except general duty residential.

In the 70’s another style of air filtration device hit the market. However, these devices were referred to as air purifiers and not air filters. These consisted of ozone generators and ionizers. They did not use any type of media and were touted as being able to purify the air in your home or office and no filters needed to be changed. Simply wipe the attraction plates or replace a small component part once in a while and you had all the clean air you could ask for. Unless you really wanted it to actually work at removing airborne particles.

Air purifiers are simply not capable of eliminating the harmful, sub-micron, airborne particles and allergens in the air. This is the reason that hospitals, laboratories, chip manufacturers, optics companies, the CDC, etc. etc. do not use air purifiers for any application. They rely only on mechanical filters such as HEPA filters. But, the discussion continues to rage on and there are proponents on both sides of the equation.

For more information on mechanical filter and HEPA air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can always reach us at our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

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HEPA System Working At Minus 34 Degress C

In the over 27 years that Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing and selling commercial grade, high performance HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems, we have installed our systems on some of the most unique and unusual applications and locations. From oil tankers in the Middle East, mobile surgery units in Africa and units in evidence rooms in police stations, PAS systems have been used in applications that required high performance in severe environments.

Over the past six months, the High Altitude Observatory, a division of the National Center for Atmospheric Research has been testing an highly specialized optical instrument at their laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. This instrument will eventually be shipped to the HAO in Hawaii. Because of the critical nature of the environment in which this instrument must operate, the unit will require an ultra-clean air flow the instrument at temperatures ranging from minus 5 degrees C to plus 40 degrees C.

The HOA purchased one of the HPS 500 portable HEPA units from Pure Air Systems to test its overall capabilities six months. They tested the unit and made sure it would work within the overall boundaries of the operation window for the optical instrument. The HPS unit passed with flying colors and now the HOA has purchased a second unit for their facility in Hawaii. Their only real concern was the operation of the motor at these extremely low temperatures.

The EBM blower/motor used by PAS, is a German made unit that is designed to operate in extreme cold and heat. The operational parameters of the EBM blower/motor are well within the operational requirements set by the HOA and NCAR. The units will be running on a 24/7 basis so durability and performance are paramount in this application. The fact that  Pure Air Systems was able to provide the type of HEPA filtration system HOA needed is not surprising. PAS has been providing the best commercially made, high performance HEPA systems to the commercial, institutional, medical, industrial and residential markets since 1985.

Pure Air Systems offers a complete line of HEPA and Carbon based, fan powered, certified HEPA units ranging from 50 CFM to 2000 CFM and in seven different configurations and designs. These systems can either be used attached to an existing HVAC system or as stand-alone units. With the exception of the HPS series, all of the PAS units utilize the newer ECM variable speed, digitally controlled motors that are rated 120/240 volt, 3 phase, 50/60 Hz.

http://www.cosmo.ucar.edu/kcoronagraph.html

For more information on Pure Air Systems, please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. Of course you can always contact us anytime on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

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Filter Media Interior Spaces

Filtration of airborne particulate is most often done with a media filter; like the one you use in your HVAC system. Media filters are referred to as mechanical filters since they use the process of interception to capture the airborne particulate both in and on the media surface.

The interior surface area of most man-made fiber filters contains a very tortuous path for the smaller particle to work its way through. The particle will take the path of least resistance but at some point it will eventually be trapped in the filter media itself. For general duty filters like the ones used as furnace filters, tiny, less than 10 micron particles will pass through the entire depth of the filter until some more dust, or dust cake as it is called, is deposited on the outside of the filter.

From a visual point of view, one can see the variations in filter interior density by simply holding the filter up to the light. The old style fiberglass filters, which are still available, will allow you to see objects through the media as this type of filter is designed to capture very large particles and small leaves without adding to much additional resistance to the air filter. As you go up the ladder in filter efficiency you will find the amount of light penetrating the media to become lower until you see very little light penetration. These denser media filters are much better at trapping the smaller, more harmful airborne particles but also have a much higher air flow resistance as the filter loads up.

Two basic physics theories apply to this mechanical function. Lanmuir’s equation and Brownian motion. Both discuss the random action of any particle in space. Since the movement of the particle is random, having a filter media that is constructed of a dense mesh-like construction, such as cotton or polyester medias, provides a better “interception” platform for which to capture or catch the random particle.  Obviously, the denser the interior structure of the filter media the greater the chance for interception of the particle by the fibers in the media.

This physical process of interception carries through into the HEPA class of filters These filters use a special media that is wet made, like newspaper, and contains thousands of pieces of glass per square inch. The HEPA paper is very fragile so it has to be pleated with inserts and then encased in a metal frame. This media, however, has an extremely dense interior and is designed to intercept, on initial use, 99.99% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger. As it loads up the efficiency increases by a factor of 10.

Pure Air Systems is one of those companies that uses these high end filters. Since 1985 PAS has been a leader in the use of commercial grade, certified HEPA filters in all of its air filtration devices. To learn more about HEPA filters and the complete line of HEPA based air filtration devices please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can also find us on Facebook or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

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Reducing Post Operative Infections

For most people the word hospital conjures up a feeling of safety, help, relief, life saving and comfort. The doctors and nurses are highly trained and skilled at providing medical treatment for any type of physical trauma, disease or malady. The operating rooms are filled with  the most advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment money can buy. The rooms are all under positive pressure using 100% HEPA filtered air to eliminate the possibility of infection. During the operation you are protected by this very sterile environment. However, once you leave the operating room everything changes.

Depending upon which source you use, post operative infections account for over 100,000 deaths in the US every year. This does not include the number of patients  affected that have to return to the hospital or require follow-up treatment to deal with infections incurred while being treated in the hospital. And there is a good reason to be concerned. Treating some of the infections has been challenged by bacteria that have become resistant to all the standard antibiotics. But there is one way to minimize the expensive and devastating consequences of post operative infections.

As noted in the beginning of this blog the operating rooms utilize HEPA filters to eliminate the possibility of any airborne pathogens that may pose a potential risk for infection. Often some recovery rooms for patients the have received bone marrow transplants or have a weakened immune system due to a specific treatment, use HEPA filtered air in the rooms and these rooms, like operating rooms, are pressurized.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based, commercial grade air filtration systems since 1985. They use only certified, scanned HEPA filters in their heavy duty, all steel housed systems. The PAS units also incorporate the ECM style variable speed motors that are rated 120/240 volt, 50/60 Hz motors. These motors not only use less electricity but can be digitally controlled for best air flow to match required filtration performance.

The PAS HEPA systems are used in many commercial applications and a large number are utilized by hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in the U.S. and around the world. These compact, high volume units can both pressurize and provide 100% HEPA filtered air in medium sized operating rooms as well as isolation rooms and individual patient rooms. For medical facilities requiring a cost effective method for minimizing or eliminating infections in their facilities, the PAS units offer superior performance at a cost that is considerably less than the cost of treating patients with severe infections.

Today, over 60% of the PAS HEPA systems are used in the residential and light commercial markets. For patients returning home from long hospital stays using one of the various central HEPA systems by PAS can be of significant value. Also, PAS makes a unique, high volume portable HEPA unit that can be used effectively in any single room application. In either case, these HEPA systems can make the difference between a significant recovery or continued treatment for infection.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com . Or you can reach us on Twitter: @pureairsystems. Call us during normal business hours on our toll-free number. 800-869-8025.

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There Is No Box

For the past 20 years or so the term “thinking outside the box” has become ubiquitous in the meeting rooms of most corporations, small businesses, schools and universities. Most of the time it refers to thinking differently or looking at a problem from a totally different angle or point of view. Like many terms that have a unique beginning and meaning but through over use become less relevant, like “paradigm shift,” thinking outside the box is quickly following that path.

The question then is what is the next step in thought process beyond “outside the box?” The title of this blog would indicate  that we eliminate the box altogether. If that is the case then what do we call this new form of thought process if there is no box? How about “augmented reality” or “augmented thinking?”  Does it matter? How about just listening to your customers and providing the type of products and services they want and need?

If you look at the list of companies that are still in business after 25 years you realize they have done something right to be around that long. Consistently performing up to and often exceeding customers needs would be one really important part of this “longevity” equation. After all, it is difficult to be in business long term without having repeat business and a constant stream of new business. It isn’t luck….its listening.

Today, your customers have a multitude of methods of providing you feedback on your products and service. All too often we get caught up in our own success and forget that the reason for the constant stream of customers is our ability to get it right 99% of the time. When we take that for granted everyone loses. With the tremendous impact of “social media” in our society, there is no reason you should not have a pulse on the buying tendencies of your target market. You mess up they will tell you and 500 of their closest friends. Of course, when you get it right….the message is also relayed to their followers. Instantly.

Pure Air Systems has been in business since 1985. For over 26 years it has been providing some of the highest quality, best performing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems in the world. The PAS systems use the most advanced digitally controlled, ECM motor systems available along with commercial grade, certified HEPA filters and carbon media housed in heavy gauge, powder coated steel enclosures.

In 1995 Pure Air Systems developed its first website. Shortly thereafter an email system was introduced and then eventually a Facebook and Twitter account along with this blog were added. Customers have the ability to ask specific questions about their individual IAQ problems and convey their feedback on any aspect of the PAS products or their performance, using any of the aforementioned social media programs.

Customers will tell you what they need and expect from your company. You need to have a process in place to evaluate their current needs and ascertain if you can meet them or need to modify, change or alter your current product and service programs to accommodate their current and future needs. Pure Air Systems does.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems available please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @purairsystems or Facebook at. pureairsystems. Of course you can always call us on our toll-free line: 800-869-8025.

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Fish Or Get Off The Pot

Don’t you just hate it when someone is trying to make an important point and they use the wrong phrase or terminology and the whole conversation goes down the drain. Using mixed metaphors can do that to you. Once you do it, you lose all credibility. It’s happened to me and I’m sure on occasion it has happened to you.

Giving a presentation on your company’s product or service in front of an audience, whether it’s 3 people or 30, requires some preparation and practice along with a great power point presentation. Without the practice or the right tools the entire message can get lost in the shuffle. So to speak.

I think you get my point. Getting the correct information in the correct manner and style appropriate for your audience is critical to making a lasting impression. But more importantly, when you have a captive audience full of potential buyers you need to nail it. After all, in today’s difficult economic climate, you need all the new business you can get because it’s a jungle out there.

When writing the text for the Pure Air Systems website, it was decided that the material would be geared more toward education and indoctrination of all things “air filtration” and “IAQ,” rather than a “let me tell you what I’m going to do,” sales type pitch. The current website is a direct result of that process. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t start out that way. But this is now the 7th iteration of the site and  all the changes were made as a direct result of customer feedback.

When dealing with technical terms and products, it is important to look at your audience as novices when it comes to your particular product or service. Just because someone uses a similar product or service doesn’t necessarily mean they actually understand how it works or why it works.  And, if they don’t understand the basics they can easily be swayed into buying some other product that claims to be as good or better than yours but is less expensive. Education is the key.

When you go to the Pure Air Systems website you will find an easily navigable site, with tabs that indicate exactly what they are and the information under the tabs is in sync with the tab names. Additionally, the information in the “Pure Air University” section is specifically written for the laymen as well as the knowledgeable. It doesn’t get any better than that.

So, if you are at wits end, and you want information that separates the men from the boys, the wheat from the chaff, and puts you in a better light, then go to our website for information on the best HEPA air filtration systems on the planet. You’ll be glad you did. Find us at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or call us at: 800-869-8025. Thanks a bunch!

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Maid In Amerika

If you go to the comments section of any article published on-line that discusses the plight of the American manufacturing machine you find people complaining bitterly about the fact that nothing is made here anymore. In truth, the vast majority of major products are made here in the US. However, almost all of the consumer electronics and most of the general duty appliances are made outside the U.S., and therein lies the problem.

If you use a cell phone, computer of any style or type, tablet or other digital communication device, more than likely it is manufactured overseas. Yes, many of these companies, like Apple, are based right here in the U.S, but they have their devices made some place else. Small appliances also fit into the same category. Yet, it is interesting to note, consumers may complain about the perceived lack of American made products, but they will purchase the imported brands even if there is a similar product that is actually made right here. The main reason…price. Over time people have rationalized that one companies product is the same as another companies product and therefore price is the deciding factor.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing commercial grade, certified HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. These units were and still are made right here in the USA. In 1989 PAS began putting “Made in the USA” stickers on each unit. It was our way of telling people this product was fabricated from all US made components. The intent was to assure the public that we were not importing the products from overseas.

Over the years a number of  U.S. based companies offered alternate air filtration technology based systems that in some case competed with our smaller units. The majority of these systems were fabricated overseas and they were usually of a lesser quality but also considerably less expensive than our systems. And even though PAS has repeatedly shown to meet or exceed the performance requirements of our customers, many individuals and some companies continue to purchase the imported products.

Today, Pure Air Systems continues to manufacture all of its systems here in the U.S. Some of the electrical components and a few mechanical components are fabricated overseas as these required parts are no longer made in the U.S. However, our products are still some of the most powerful, effective and sophisticated HEPA air filtration systems made today. Customers from around the world now use our filtration systems and our reputation for quality and performance is seldom challenged.

There is no doubt, that companies around the world have access to the same technologies and components and the need to continue improving our products has never been greater. However, we will never sacrifice quality and performance for price. We know what is required to provide our customers with the best available air filtration technology and they rely on us to maintain that premise.

For more information on our complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration products please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems or go to our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pureairsystems.

 

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Udder Futility

There are hundreds of thousands of blogs posted every day online and almost 90% of all newspaper and magazine articles are actually blogs or produced from blogs. You would think with everyone using computers with spell check software on which they are writing these blogs that they would actually use the software to check their spelling. And some do. Unfortunately the software doesn’t check for correct word usage.

Take the title of this blog for example. This is a term often used in sentences and usually means totally frustrated or not worth doing anymore. However, the way this title is written its’ meaning is somewhat different. Utter futility I can understand….udder futility must have something to do with a non-functioning or frustrated cow or goat, I guess….. Right church, wrong pew.

Companies often use this “play on words” approach to get your attention. It is, in many ways, a rather childish way to get your attention. But it works. If you have read this far you know what I mean. It would seem to me that if your product or service really has any value you wouldn’t stoop to using this type of marketing ploy. But we are.

Pure Air Systems has been making commercial grade, HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. Over the past 26 years we have had to continually convince the market that true, certified HEPA filters were vastly superior to standard air filters and anything calling itself an air “purifier.” The use of that term was really, and never has been, correct. Nothing actually purifies the air. You can heat it, cool it, blow it, suck it, stir it, move it and filter it. But not really purify it. That connotes making the air pristine and totally void of any impurities.

Yet, the term purifier continues to linger on. Why, we really don’t know. Maybe it just sounds like it does more…..purify versus filter. Maybe its like saying you want a women or man who is pure of heart rather than someone whom needs to filter what they say. Don’t know. But we use it.

The problem with using the term air purifier in front of the filtering device you are promoting, is everyone uses that term. Whether it’s an electronic air cleaner, ozone generator or ionic cleaner….they all use the word purifier some where in the title of the product. First of all none of the three devices just mentioned actually purify the air….in fact none of these devices do much to filter the air. Sorry if you bought one or sell them. We only tell it like it is. It is the Udder Truth.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com, or follow us on Twitter; @pureairsystems. You can also call us, toll-free; 800-869=8025.

 

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