SECTION 15861

AIR FILTERS, HVAC

PART 1 -- GENERAL

1.1 WORK INCLUDED

A. This Section specifies the requirements necessary to furnish and install, complete air
filters for HVAC application with frames, mounting hardware, and accessories as
indicated or specified.

1.2 RELATED WORK

A. Use this Section in conjunction with the following other specifications and related
Contract Documents to establish the total requirements for air filters for HVAC
application:
1. Section 01615 - Electrical and Controls Requirements for Packaged
Equipment.
2. Section 13067 - Recirculation Air Handling Units
3. Section 13069 - Cleanroom Makeup Air Handling Units
4. Section 15050 - Basic Mechanical Requirements.
5. Section 15725 - Air Handling Units.
6. Section 15811 - Metal HVAC Ductwork and Accessories.

B. CAUTION: Use of this Section without including the above-listed items results in
omission of basic requirements.

1.3 DESIGN CRITERIA 01

A. Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology: IES-RP-CC-001.5: HEPA and

ULPA Filters.

B. Underwriters Laboratories: UL 586: High-Efficiency, Particulate, Air Filter Units.

1.4 DESIGN CRITERIA 02

A. Unless otherwise specified herein, provide filters that meet the requirements of
NFPA 90A Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating
Systems.

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 B. Test efficiencies according to the latest edition of ASHRAE 52.2 Method of Testing
General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size.

C. Provide filters, frames, and accessories for components to be mounted in air handlers
as specified in Sections 13067,13069 and 15725, Air Handling Units.

D. Provide filters, frames, and accessories as scheduled on the drawings to be mounted

in ductwork constructed according to Section 15811, Metal HVAC Ductwork and
Accessories.

1.5 SUBMITTALS

A. Provide the following with the Bid:

1. Complete certified performance data at design conditions, including cfm and
air pressure drop.
2. Product literature and a schedule with quantity and sizes.
3. Product installation details.

PART 2 -- PRODUCTS

2.1 AUTOMATIC RENEWABLE MEDIA (RM) FILTERS

A. Acceptable Manufacturer - AAF International: Roll-O-Mat series.

B. Description: galvanized steel assembly with drive, controls, and media that feeds
media across airstream and winds and compresses used media for disposal. Enclose
the clean media roll with hinged roll cover. Include tension panel to compress used
media as it is spooled. Arrange to allow upstream or downstream replacement of
filter media as scheduled.

C. Filter Media: rolled and compressed, graduated density glass fiber blanket,
nominally 2 inches thick when expanded, 50 feet long; factory sprayed with
flameproof, nondrip, nonvolatile adhesive; bonded reinforcing on leaving side of
media to prevent stretching and necking. Media to be AAF Roll-O-Mat Gold. Use
AAF Roll-O-Mat Red where Class 1 filters are required.

D. Efficiency: 80 to 85 percent (average arrest) when rated in accordance with

ASHRAE Standard 52.2.

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 E. Performance:
1. Provide filters rated for operation under the following conditions:

Filter Thickness Rated Velocity Initial Pressure Drop (Inch WC)

2 inches 500 fpm 0.18

2. Provide filters capable of operating up to a final (changeout) resistance of

0.5 inch WC without damaging the filter.

F. Drive Mechanism: electric gear reducer motor to rewind spool through chain and
sprocket assembly.

G. Controls: prewired control package to advance media on an adjustable preset time

schedule with pressure switch override to advance media when filter resistance
exceeds preselected high limit. Provide media runout switch to stop travel and
indicate runout. Provide manual switch to override controls and advance media.
Controls and electrical shall meet the requirements of Section 01615, Electrical and
Controls Requirements for Packaged Equipment.

2.2 PLEATED MEDIUM-EFFICIENCY (PME) FILTER

A. Acceptable Manufacturers:
1. AAF International: AmAir 300 Series.
2. Camfil Farr: 30/30 Series.
3. Flanders: Pleated Media Filters.

B. Description: pleated, disposable, extended area filters, with universal Type 8

holding frame or side-access housing as scheduled.

C. Filter Media: high-density glass microfiber laminated to all glass woven mesh
backing meeting UL Class 1 requirements or nonwoven cotton and synthetic fabric
media meeting UL Class 2 requirements, as scheduled.

D. Media Support Grid: welded wire grid bonded to filter media to prevent the media
from oscillating or pulling away.

E. Enclosing Frame: nonflammable board meeting UL Class 1 requirements or rigid

paperboard meeting UL Class 2 requirements, as scheduled, with diagonal support
members bonded to the air entering and exiting side of each pleat to ensure pleat
stability. Bond the inside periphery to the filter pack to eliminate air bypass.

F. Efficiency: MERV 8 (35 percent) when rated in accordance with ASHRAE Test
Standard 52.2.

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 G. Performance:
1. Provide filters capable of maintaining rated efficiencies under the following
conditions:

Filter Thickness Rated Face Initial Pressure Drop (Inch WC)

Velocity
2 inches 500 fpm 0.32
4 inches 500 fpm 0.28
2. Provide filters capable of operating up to a final (changeout) resistance of
0.9 inch WC without damaging the filter.

2.3 DEEP-PLEATED RIGID (DPR) FILTERS

A. Acceptable Manufacturers:
1. AAF International: Varicel.
2. Camfil Farr: Riga-Flo.
3. Flanders: Econocell Forty Plus.

B. Description: deep pleated, totally rigid, disposable, extended area filters with
universal Type 8 holding frame or side-access housing as scheduled.

C. Filter Media: high-density glass microfibers reinforced with a backing to form a

lofted filter blanket meeting UL Class 1 requirements or Class 2 requirements as
scheduled.

D. Media Support Grid: welded wire grid bonded to filter media or aluminum
separators to prevent the media from oscillating or pulling away.

E. Contour Stabilizers: galvanized steel mounted on both the air entering and exiting
sides of the media.

F. Enclosing Frame: galvanized steel with the media pack mechanically and
chemically bonded to the inside periphery to prevent air bypass. Provide galvanized
steel diagonal support braces on the air entering and exiting sides of the filter.

G. Efficiency: MERV 14-15 when rated in accordance with ASHRAE Test Standard
52.2.

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 H. Performance:
1. Provide filters capable of maintaining rated efficiencies under the following
conditions:

Average Filter Rated Initial Pressure Drop

Efficiency Thickness Velocity (Inch WC)
90 to 95 6 inches 300 fpm 0.56
12 inches 500 fpm 0.68

2. Provide filters capable of operating up to a final (changeout) resistance of

1.2 inches WC without damaging the filter

2.4 NONSUPPORTED BAG-TYPE (NBT) FILTERS

A. Acceptable Manufacturers:
1. AAF International: DriPak.
2. Camfil Farr: Hi Flo Series III.

B. Description: multiple pocket type, extended area disposable filters with universal
Type 8 holding frame or side-access housing as scheduled.

C. Filter Media: high-density glass microfibers reinforced with a backing to form a

lofted filter blanket meeting UL Class 1 requirements or Class 2 requirements as
scheduled. Media shall be sewn into pockets and stitched to maintain the pocket
shape, then sealed at the stitching to prevent air bypass.

D. Enclosing Frame: galvanized steel channel enclosing frame with galvanized entry
faceplate to maintain pocket entry spacing.

E. Efficiency: MERV 15 when rated in accordance with ASHRAE Test Standard 52.2.

F. Performance:
1. Provide filters capable of maintaining rated efficiencies under the following
conditions:

Average No. Rated Initial Pressure Drop

Efficiency Pockets/Filter Velocity (Inch WC)
Thickness
90 to 95 10/22 inches 500 fpm 0.7

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 2. Provide filters capable of operating up to a final (changeout) resistance of
1.0 inches WC without damaging the filter.

2.5 ABSOLUTE (ABS) FILTERS

A. Acceptable Manufacturers:
1. AAF International: AstroCel Series.
2. Camfil Farr: Absolule HEPA Filter.
3. Flanders Filters Inc: FX Series.

B. Description: industrial-grade absolute filters of separator type or separator less

construction with holding frames and gel seal.

C. Filter Media: single-layer, fire-retardant glass microfiber media manufactured with a

waterproof binder, suitable for automatic pleating.

D. Separators: corrugated aluminum sheet spacers with edges blunted to preclude

tearing of the media at the fold or corrugations formed in the media during
manufacturing that align to maintain spacing between adjacent folds after assembly.

E. Sealant: fire-retardant solid urethane or polyurethane foam.

F. Cell Sides: fabricated 16-gauge stainless steel frame with a continuous channel,
factory filled with silicone gel fluid sealant, located to mate with the holding frame.

G. Holding Frames (Fluid Seal):

1. 14-gauge Type 304 stainless steel filter retainer arms and holding frames.
Continuously weld joints and seams and grind welds smooth to produce a
frame that is free of burrs and sharp edges. Predrill frames to facilitate
assembly into filter banks.
2. Provide a continuous knife edge to mate with the fluid-filled channel on the
filter cell side frame.

H. Manufactured Media Efficiency Test:

1. Test three samples from each filter media slitter roll (at the beginning, the
middle, and the end) with hot DOP on a Penetrometer Q127 at a flow rate of
10.5 fpm.
2. Reject rolls that do not achieve a minimum efficiency of 99.99 percent on
0.3 mm.

I. Assembled Filter Tests:

1. Efficiency Test:
a. Test filters for overall efficiency using dual laser particle counters with a
detection capability of 0.12 micron or less, sampling upstream and
downstream of the filter simultaneously.

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 b. Reject filters with test efficiencies that do not meet or exceed the
scheduled performance requirements.
2. Pressure Drop Test:
a. At the time the efficiency test is performed, simultaneously test each
filter for resistance to airflow at the rated air volume.
b. Reject filters with pressure drops that exceed the scheduled performance
requirements by 10 percent.
3. Leakage Test:
a. Scan test filters with specified efficiencies of 99.99 percent and higher
with a 1-cfm sampling dual laser particle counter with detection
capability of 0.12 micron or less.
b. Locate, identify, and repair all leaks.
4. Challenge Media:
a. Natural atmospheric contaminants with a minimum upstream challenge
of 100,000 particles per cubic foot. Polyfunctional alcohol (PFA) is an
acceptable challenge media for scan testing.
b. The use of DOP or synthetic contaminants other than PFA is prohibited.
5. Labeling: Affix a permanent label to each filter cell that identifies the filter by
model number, size, and serial number. Record test airflow, pressure drop,
scan status, penetration, and the manufacturer's address.

J. Performance - Provide filters capable of maintaining rated efficiencies under the

following conditions:

Filter Efficient Size Rated Pressure Pack

Type Particle Size (Inches) cfm Drop Depth
(Percent) (Inches)
HEPA 99.99 0.30  24 by 24 1,200 1.0 11.5
HEPA 99.99 0.30  24 by 24 2,000 1.4 11.5

2.6 SIDE-ACCESS HOUSINGS

A. Acceptable Manufacturers: Supplied by the manufacturer of the highest efficiency

filter selected by the Owner.

B. Description:
1. Leakage less than 1 percent across filter and housing at 3 inches WC
differential pressure.
2. Leakage less than 0.5 percent infiltration into the housing from the atmosphere
at 3 inches WC.
3. Construct housing of 16-gauge galvanized steel, with access door located as
specified. Construct tracks of heavy gauge, anodized aluminum.

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2.7 UNIVERSAL HOLDING FRAMES

A. Acceptable Manufacturers: Supplied by the manufacturer of the highest efficiency

filter selected by the Owner.

B. Description: 16-gauge galvanized steel, Type 8, universal holding frames with

sealed flush-mitered sealing flange corners, polyurethane foam gaskets, and fasteners
appropriate for the filters to be installed.

2.8 FILTER GAUGES

A. Manometer Type:
1. Acceptable Manufacturer: Dwyer Mark II.
2. Description: inclined-vertical draft gauges with glass level vials, front zero
adjustment, fill plugs, and pointer flags.
3. Accessories: static pressure tips, aluminum tubing, zeroing means, and extra
oil.
4. Range: Select gauges with the minimum ranges to span the maximum filter
final pressured drop recommended by the manufacturer.

B. Dial Type:
1. Acceptable Manufacturer: Dwyer 2000 Series Magnehelic.
2. Description: diaphragm-actuated, direct-reading gauge with pointer zero
adjustment and adjustable signal flag.
3. Accessories: mounting panel with screws, static pressure tips, aluminum
tubing, and vent valves.
4. Ranges: Select gauges with the minimum ranges to span the maximum filter
final pressure drop recommended by the manufacturer.

PART 3 -- EXECUTION

3.1 INSTALLATION

A. Install in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

B. Install in ducts and casings in accordance with SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction
Standards, Metal and Flexible.

C. Prevent passage of unfiltered air around filters with felt, rubber, or neoprene gaskets.

D. Do no operate fan system until filters (temporary or permanent) are in place.

Replace temporary filters used during construction.

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3.2 INSTALLATION, AUTOMATIC RENEWABLE MEDIA FILTER

A. Support filter assembly on a structural steel frame.

B. Provide walkable surface in ductwork upstream to support maintenance personnel.

3.3 INSTALLATION, FILTER GAUGES

A. Install filter gauges across each filter bank in accordance with the manufacturer’s
printed installation instructions with static pressure taps on entering and leaving side
of filter bank.

B. Mount gauges, secure tubing with metal fasteners, level gauges, fill with oil, zero
gauges, and adjust flags.

END OF SECTION

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