Alabbar Energy and Sustainability (AESG) says it has launched its new HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter testing and certification service, becoming the first in the Middle East to offer such a service.

The service, launched in a bid to address a crucial market gap, is vital to facilities such as operating theatres, pharmaceutical laboratories, and safety cabinets, it adds.

AESG has invested heavily in both the skillsets and technologies required to deliver the service in accordance with BN EN 14664-1, which is understood to be the most stringent international cleanroom certification standard.

The consultancy firm believes the healthcare sector stands to gain the most benefit from this service as Gary Williams, director of commissioning at AESG, explains.

He says: “The industry norm regarding HEPA filters today is an install-and-forget approach. Unfortunately, in the large majority of installations, due to factors such as rough handling, improper installation and poor maintenance, the likelihood of sub-optimal performance is extremely high,” he says. “In highly sterile environments such as operating theatres and incubators, even slight contamination can result in a tremendously negative impact on patient health and so ensuring the effectiveness of HEPA filters is essential.”

AESG has worked closely with local regulatory authorities to ensure that its service can enable clients to achieve the highest level of standards compliance. The DOP (dispersed oil particulate) testing equipment being utilised by the firm exceeds the British, American, European and Australian requirements for filter testing with aerosol challenge. 

According to Williams, his team can test for a pass rate of less than 0.01 per cent of the most penetrative particles, and accurately uncover not only the inefficiencies but also the ‘difficult to pinpoint’ leakages.

Although it is standard practice to verify the manufacturer’s stated HEPA filter efficiency of 99.997 per cent in situ, the actual performance of these systems is impacted by a number of factors. Therefore, to ensure the most comprehensive approach, AESG offers testing of not only HEPA filters, but also their housing and installation. In line with its rigorous adherence to best practice and commitment to the highest standards of testing, AESG’s team of qualified professionals have been trained to conduct the testing process in under three hours.

The significance of this first-of-its-kind service is emphasised by the fact that hitherto in the region, a number of ineffective alternative methods have been utilised which pose a threat due to their shortcomings.

“Some engineers consider the use of particle scanners. However, these are not sufficiently accurate and involve a margin of error that hospitals cannot afford to overlook. Furthermore, as these methods make it difficult to pinpoint the leakage, they make addressing and rectifying the issues a challenge,” states Williams.

While AESG intends to initially focus on customers within the healthcare vertical, the firm also sees potential uptake in other sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and other industries wherein cleanroom facilities are utilised.

AESG is a UAE-based consultancy firm specialised in solving complex challenges in sustainable urban development. With wide experience in the region, gained from working on hundreds of developments in the region, AESG’s multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, energy managers, environmental scientists, energy modellers and commissioning managers work alongside clients in delivering effective solutions that stand the test of time. AESG is a board member of the Emirates Green Building Council.