Blog Tag: bars and restaurants cigarette smoke removal

I am not a huge fan of the band Metallica, but I do happen to like their song, Enter Sandman. It is different than most of their Very heavy metal music and actually tells a story and your  can understand the lyrics. There are other bands whom I don’t follow very much but they, like Metallica, have one or two great songs that get lots of air time on the radio and are on my iPod.

Like my selective choice for music, when I am purchasing certain items I usually go to a certain brick and motor store or shop online where I will purchase that item. The stores may hundreds of other items but I only purchase those select, one or two, items every time.

Many companies that are in the manufacturing business may offer a number of items both standard and custom for customers. However, they often have 80% of their  business derived from 20% of their product line and while they often consider paring down their product line they find customers like the ability to option shop.

Pure Air Systems opened their doors in 1985. They introduced the first high performance, fan powered, certified HEPA air filtration systems for residential, commercial, institutional, medical and industrial application for removal of airborne allergens, pathogens, particulates and odors. Initially PAS only offered one system, the 600H unit. It became a very popular product in the U. S. market and led to the development of 6 more HEPA based systems.

These other units were more powerful and had larger CFM volume capacities and all eventually were fitted with the new ECM variable speed drive 120/240 50/60 Hz digital speed control motors. While the larger systems pushed PAS into the commercial market faster the model 600HS ( now with ECM motor ) was and still is the primary unit sold by Pure Air Systems.

For more information on the complete product line offered by PAS please go to our website at: https://www.pureairsystems.com or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

The reduction/removal of airborne particulate is usually accomplished by the use of air filters or filtration systems. The filters may be installed in a ducted heating/cooling systems return air grill or as a stand alone unit that circulates the air in a specific room or building. These types of filter systems are the most effective as they allow for circulation of the air within the room and while keeping the room temperature and humidity levels constant.

On the other side of the equation is the use of pressurization to reduce particle levels and/or maintain a higher degree of fresh air in a room, building or environment. To pressurize any room or space you simply need to draw in or pull in enough air from an outside source to change the pressure gradient in the room from either negative or static to a positive pressure room. We can all identify with positive or negative pressure as seen when we enter a large building or office and when opening the door the air blows out into your face ( positive pressure) or you have some difficulty opening the door ( as it seems to be pulled away from you) and overcoming negative pressure.  Another way to identify positive or negative pressure in a room is to open the main door about 1″ and take some smoke or a piece of tissue paper and place it at the door opening. If the smoke or paper moves toward the opening the room is negative, if it moves out toward you the room is positive.

The use of positive pressure as a means of filtration or “room cleaning,” has some major drawbacks. First, the air you bring into the room would probably be from an outside source. Although in a large building you could pull air from any space in the building and pressurize the room but that air may be just as dirty as the air in the room you are attempting to clean. Therefore, using an outside air source for pressurization is usually better but is comes with some costs.

Unless you live in a part of the country or world where the daily average temperature is around 70 degrees fahrenheit  and the humidity is 40% or less, bringing in outside air to pressurize a room will substantially alter the temperature and humidity in the pressurized environment.  In order to use pressurization effectively you would need to introduce at least 30% outside air as it relates to the amount of air being heated or cooled in the room.  For example is you have a room that circulates and conditions 600 CFM through its heating/cooling system you would need to introduce at least 180 CFM of outside air to remove some of the  airborne particulates or contaminants.

This process is often used in smoking areas in bars and lounges and in locations where odors, gases or fumes are being generated and dilution by introduction of outside air is the least expensive alternate. The amount of air introduced from the outside would vary depending upon the type of contaminant as just mentioned. It may be that up to 50% dilution is required to effectively reduce the levels of contaminants, however, this large amount of air will displace half the air in the room so some form of vent is needed to allow the fresher air to come into the room and push the contaminated air out of the room. It will also significantly impact the heating/cooling/humidity levels in the room or space.

For more information on pressurization, filtration and alternate methods of contaminant reduction please contact Pure Air Systems at: http://www.pureairsystems.com. You can also contact them directly at: 800-869-8025.

There is a small smoking phenomenon hitting the markets worldwide…e-cigarettes or electronic cigarettes. The electronic cigarette was developed in China in 2004 and has now become one of the more popular concepts in removing yourself from smoking nicotine filled tobacco and eventually quitting smoking altogether. However, for many people the act of smoking while drinking or the habit of just having something in their hands to keep busy is enough to make them full-time users and that is because you can now control the amount of nicotine.

An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette, personal vaporizer or PV, is an electronic inhaler that vaporizes a liquid solution into an aerosol mist, simulating the act of tobacco smoking. Electronic cigarettes are no longer marketed as smoking cessation aids or tobacco replacement in most countries. There may be similarities between conventional and some electronic cigarettes in the physical design and the nicotine release can also be chosen by the user, with some people choosing no nicotine at all.

The benefits and risks of electronic cigarette use are a subject of uncertainty among health organizations and researchers. Limited controlled studies are available due to the relatively recent invention of the device. Laws vary widely concerning the use and sale of electronic cigarettes and accompanying liquid solutions, with pending legislation and ongoing debate in many regions. But the challenge to the tobacco industry is very big. Once someone switches to the electronic cigarette version, they seldom go back to the original design.

From a health issue stand point, the vapor produced by the e-cigarettes is considered somewhat benign. However, having any type of nicotine added to the liquid quickly changes the second-hand liability of the device. The other issue is the potential use of these new devices in restaurants, bars, public buildings, medical facilities, etc., where traditional cigarettes are now banned. Not to be facetious, but this is a possible smoking gun. Since no one really knows the true chemical make up of the vapor produced by these e-cigarettes it is difficult to make any health determinations. These issues will come up and there are already groups who support the e-cig movement asking to be allowed to smoke in now no smoking areas.

Removing cigarette and cigar smoke has always been a challenge, even for companies like Pure Air Systems who have been making commercial grade HEPA filtration systems since 1985. Removal of fine, airborne particulate generated by traditional cigarettes is difficult. Much of the smoke goes into a vapor phase, much like the vapor produced by the e-cigarettes. In cigarette smoke as in vapor smoke, it is not what you see that hurts you…it’s the small, tiny, sub-micron particles that are inhaled into the lung linings and mucus membranes and tend to stay there. Over long periods of time these particles can create a wide variety of respiratory dysfunctions and lung cancer is one of them.This movement toward an electronic smoking system will eventually take a big bite out of the tobacco industry and look for these traditional cigarette companies to get into the e-cigarette market soon.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems manufactured by PAS, go to their website at: http://pureairsystems.com or follow them on Twitter @pureairsystems or call them anytime on their toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

In 1954 Alfred Hitchcock directed the movie “Dial M For Murder” starring Ray Miland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings.  The story is about a husband who carefully plans to have his wife murdered. If the plot goes as planned the wife is gone and the husband is never suspected. As with many ideas, controlling all aspects of the concept often is seldom accomplished.

In the world where air pollution and airborne contaminants are a common occurrence, it is interesting to see how many individuals, maintenance companies, contractors and IAQ professionals under estimate the ability to control the levels of these contaminants. The initial plan often include using the least expensive filters or filtration device as many mistakenly believe one type of air filter is as good as another. This is seldom true.

One of the common mistakes is to only look at the particles we can see with the naked eye as the harmful contaminants. The irony is that particles you can see with the naked eye are about 20 microns or larger. Most of the particles that are harmful or that are aspirated into the lungs are less than 10 microns in size. These tiny particles are not easily trapped in general duty filter media, which are typically the type used when attempting to provide a cleaner environment.

Most HVAC systems use filter racks located in return air grills. These are normally the place for standard pleated media or ring panel filters and typically have a low MERV rating. (usually  MERV 5 to 7) These air filters will capture almost all of the 20 micron particles but their efficiency drops off dramatically as the size of the particles gets smaller. The other variable to take into consideration is the resistance of the filters relative to their overall efficiency.

The standard air filters used in most HVAC systems have a lower efficiency but also a lower pressure drop or resistance. This is important in the scheme of things as putting in a more resistant filter would reduce the air flow. On the up side though, they would be more effective in removing the harmful airborne contaminants.

HEPA filters are extremely effective at removing very high percentages of extremely small particles, those particles that are truly harmful. Their standard efficiency is 99.97% at o.3 microns. For comparison, the standard air filters used in most HVAC systems are approximately 15% to 20% effective at removing these tiny particles and that only takes place close to the time they have to be replaced.

Because of the design of HEPA filters, they are normally part of a system or package that also includes another blower/motor assembly to assist in moving the air across the HEPA as well as picking up the additional resistance across the filter. For this reason most HEPA filter systems are attached in a partial bypass mode to the HVAC ducting systems so no additional resistance is added to the entire air handling unit.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems for over 26 years. They have a HEPA system that will work for any type of environment and any kind of HVAC system. Even for areas where no ventilation systems exist. For more information on their complete line of HEPA and Carbon based units please go to their website at: www.pureairsystems.com or on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can also call them on their toll free line. 800-869-8025.

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!

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.

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.

“Play on words” has been a popular tool of writers and journalists since newspapers were in print. The title of this blog, for example, is taken from some family get together’s when I was a young man. It seems there were a lot of what I call “goofy” phrases used in the early 50’s. This title is one of them. Maybe you have seen it before ….or heard it used. In either case use of this type of phrasing is a great way to get attention from readers.

In today’s world the vast majority of people get all their information, books, classes and social interaction online. The ability to capture your attention has never been more demanding. Getting someone to read something  for more than 8 seconds is now considered a real coup…and if you can get them to read your entire article, blog or product description you are in rare company.

Telling stories and providing helpful, insightful information seems to be one way to get people to view your material. It is for this reason that many companies now incorporate blogs into their websites, like this one, to provide updated and topical data to the market.

Pure Air Systems has published over 150 blogs in the past two years. Over time the number of people reading the blogs has increased dramatically. But most importantly the blogs provide topical information as well as directing potential customers to our website. This is important as all of the technical and operational information about our HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems are found there. Whether you are a contractor, end user or engineer, the data you need is located on the website.

In addition to the blogs, a special section on our website is designed to provide general information on all aspects of air filtration, indoor air quality, heating/cooling systems and ventilation. We call it “Pure Air University.”  We believe it is important to offer some basic knowledge on all things IAQ so that the public has the ability to make an informed decision when selecting an air filtration system. The information provided through this section is not designed to sell but rather designed to tell.

After being in business for over 25 years, you learn a lot about what information is important to potential customers. They have seen the hyped marketing materials from many of the companies that sell air filtration or air purifier systems. Many of those companies that sold “gimmick” based technology are no longer in business. It seems no matter what you say or how you say it…performance is the only viable marketing tool. We know this and that is why we are still here. Our systems perform as promised…period. No play on words needed.

For more information on our complete product line please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com.  Or call us at: 800-869-8025.

There is a lot of discussion today regarding the right to bare arms. Everyone is quoting the constitution and telling their senators and congressmen to uphold the 2nd Amendment as written by our fore fathers. There are federal gun laws that in many cases are being challenged by many states and there is the NRA and other political groups that demand their rights be upheld. This issue is so highly charged that people are threatening their local politicians and demanding their rights to be heard.

The right to free speech and to openly challenge what we think is wrong, is one of the main freedoms we have in this country. The 1st amendment says so. When we see an issue that interferes with our rights or challenges our health we are able to speak out about that issue.

One of the biggest issues that faces a lot of people is the ability to work, play and live in a smoke free environment. For some, protecting themselves from the health dangers of cigarette smoke is an important as being able to carry a gun to protect themselves from harm.

Over the past few years almost all of the large and small corporations in the US have banned smoking in their workplace. For Hospitals and other health care facilities smoking is banned even out in their parking lots. Schools, universities, all public buildings have also banned smoking.  All of these new laws were passed as a direct result of the public speaking out and demanding a safer, healthier work place.

In many cities, counties and townships across the US bars and taverns have eliminated smoking altogether. While many bar owners and restaurant owners thought eliminating smoking would kill their business. Just the opposite. People that never frequented bars now came and stayed for long periods of time, drank and ate more and came more often.

Second hand smoke is now considered to almost as much of a health risk as smoking itself. For children and individuals with respiratory problems second hand smoke can be harmful both short term and long term. Again, the ability to openly challenge the tobacco industry as well as local laws and state legislation regarding non-smokers rights has been successful.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing commercial grade HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. Since its beginning PAS has been providing filtration systems for bars, restaurants and other facilities where smoking is still permitted. These large, high volume HEPA units incorporate Carbon media as well as a prefilter to effectively remove the harmful smoke particles as well as significantly reduce the smoke odor.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration products and systems by PAS please go to our website at:  wwww.pureairsystems.com

There is no end to the amount of discussion on the health issues related to smoking.  Everyone either knows someone who smokes or is a smoker. Today most public buildings don’t allow smoking as do offices, hospitals, schools and churches. In fact the only places you can smoke is outside, in your own home (maybe) and in bars that still allow smoking.

If you live with a smoker or work in an environment where smoking is allowed you know the challenges of getting smokers to quit or smoke less. Smoking is more addictive than the majority of illegal drugs. And the cost of smoking in dollars for health care is enormous. In addition, smoke from cigarettes and cigars will coat the walls, ceilings and HVAC duct work with a nicotine substance in any home or office building over time.

If you are around a smoker in your home or office and you inhale the smoke for a continued period of time you will in essence have the same lung damage as the smoker himself. It is for this reason that smoking is prohibited in so many places.

Cigarette and cigar smoke contain hundreds of chemicals many of which are considered carcinogens. Breathing in these chemicals over time can create significant health problems. In addition you have a constant odor problem with smoke which tends to cling to everything, including your hair and clothing.

Some of the health issues include OCPD, respiratory dysfunction, eye infections, lung cancer to name a few. It is important therefore to minimize your contact with cigarette smoke. If you live with a smoker they need to smoke outside. If you work with a smoker and he or she won’t quit, you need to find another position in the company or find another job.

Cigarette and cigar smoke is very small. The amount you see with the naked eye represents only 35% to40% of the smoke coming off the cigarette. The rest is less than 10 microns and much is it is less than 1 micron in size. It is this smaller size particle that remains in the lung linings and mucus membranes and is not expelled when you breathe out.

Due to the nature of cigarette and cigar smoke it is not easy to remove this contaminant with general duty air filters or even ventilation. Pure Air Systems has been selling its HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems for smoke removal since 1985. HEPA filters will capture over 99.99% of the smoke that it sees. The carbon media will adsorb much of the nicotine odor.

While the majority of our HEPA systems for smoke removal were installed in restaurants, bars, and bingo halls, a large number have been sold to homeowners. These systems are attached to the return air side of the HVAC system and will capture all the cigarette smoke and odor that is pulled into the system through the return air grills in the home.

If you are really serious about the air you breathe in your environment then you need to get some serious filtration systems that will actually remove the harmful smoke particles and odor.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA an Carbon based filtration systems offered by Pure Air Systems, go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com