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FAQ / 7-8782-8721-34
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Filtration
What filter is used in the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Model 775 warming unit?
The Model 775 uses the same filter media as has for many years been used in prior Bair Hugger 700-series models. That filter media is clas-
sified on an industry-standard scale as MERV 14 at 44 CFM (cubic feet per minute) under ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012: Method of Testing
General Air Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size.
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What is a MERV rating?
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, is a measurement scale to rate the efficiency of an air filter as a function of particle size
based on the ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012.
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What is the MERV rating recommended for operating rooms?
ASHRAE Standard 170-2013, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, provides standards and guidance on the design requirements for ventilation
systems utilized in health care facilities.
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The standard recommends that operating rooms utilize a filter that is equivalent to MERV 14.
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This
MERV rating is specific to the ventilation system in the hospital’s operating room.
What is the MERV rating recommended for patient warming devices in the operating room?
There is no filtration standard for patient warming devices utilized within the operating room. The ASHRAE Standard is a standard used to
assess filter efficiency in health care ventilation systems.
Is a HEPA filter necessary?
No. We are not aware of any evidence or claim demonstrating that a HEPA filter improves patient safety.
What is the ASHRAE 52.2-2012 standard?
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is a global organization focused on research, educa-
tion and standards for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. The ASHRAE standard 52.2-2012
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provides test methods for air
intake filters to ensure standardization in classification and efficiency. For more information on ASHRAE, please visit www.ashrae.org.
References:
1. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012: Method of Testing General Air Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size. The American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. © 2012 ASHRAE. ISSN 1041-2336. Available at http://www.ashrae.org. Accessed on
6/7/2016.
2. ANSI/ASHRAE Addenda a, b, and d to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012. Method of Testing General Air Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Ef-
ficiency by Particle Size. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. © 2015 ASHRAE. ISSN 1041-2336. Available
at http://www.ashrae.org. Accessed on 6/7/2016.
3. ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2013: Ventilation of Health Care Facilities. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engi-
neers, Inc. © 2013 ASHRAE. ISSN 1041-2336. Available at http://www.ashrae.org. Accessed on 6/7/2016.
