The Ins and Outs of Negative Air Machine Rentals

Negative air machines, also known as air scrubbers, have become increasingly popular rental items over the past few years. These machines work by filtering air and creating negative pressure to remove contaminants and improve indoor air quality. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about negative air machine rentals.

What is a Negative Air Machine, and When Should I Rent One?

A negative air machine rental (also called an air scrubber rental) can be helpful in a variety of situations. Negative air machines work by pulling in air, filtering it through a HEPA filter to remove contaminants, and then exhausting the cleaned air outside. This helps create a hostile pressure environment that keeps new pollutants from spreading.

Some everyday situations where you may want to rent a negative air machine include:

• Mold remediation projects - Negative air machines help dry out affected areas and prevent the spread of mold spores during remediation.

• Asbestos abatement - Negative air machines contain asbestos fibers during removal, which prevents them from contaminating the rest of the home or building.

• Smoke/fire damage restoration - After fires, negative air machines filter out smoke odors and particulates for faster restoration.

• Construction/renovation projects - Negative air machines filter out dust, debris, and fumes from projects involving sanding, sweeping, spray painting, etc.

• COVID-19 isolation rooms - Healthcare facilities have used negative air machine rentals to help prevent the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable patients.

• Pet odors/allergies - Negative air machines can filter dander and other allergens and trap odors from pets.

As you can see, negative air machine rentals can be a valuable tool for a wide array of indoor air quality projects. They help contain and filter out contaminants so you can work safely and achieve faster results.

Negative Air Machine Rental Sizing and Capacity

When renting a negative air machine, you first need to determine the appropriate size and capacity for your space. CFM, or cubic feet per minute rate negative air machines. This refers to how much air the machine can filter in 60 seconds.

Small-capacity portable units may have a CFM rating of 500-1000 CFM. They are suitable for isolating odors or contaminants in a single room. Larger negative air machines used for entire homes or commercial spaces may have a CFM of anywhere from 5000 to 15,000 CFM or more.

As a general guideline, mold remediation projects require 1 CFM per square foot of space. Depending on the severity of contamination, smoke or fire restoration may require as much as 5-10 CFM per square foot. Be sure to consult with the rental company on the right CFM for your specific project scope. Going too small can make the machine ineffective while going too large can be needlessly expensive.

Where to Rent Negative Air Machines

You can rent negative air machines from a variety of sources, including:

• Equipment rental companies - Many companies like United Rentals offer extensive inventories of negative air machines for daily, weekly, or monthly rental. This option provides a lot of flexibility.

• Restoration companies - If you are working with a mold remediation or fire/smoke restoration company, they may include the use of negative air machines as part of their services.

• Direct from manufacturers - Some opposing air machine manufacturers, like Abatement Technologies, offer direct rentals, which can sometimes be more affordable.

Online marketplaces like RentItToday.com also allow you to search, compare, and reserve negative air machines from a nationwide inventory. Prices often range from $50-$150 per day, depending on the CFM rating. Be sure to avoid consumer models and ensure any rental machine is rated for commercial use.

Operating and Maintaining Negative Air Machines

When you receive your negative air machine rental, be sure to follow all operating instructions provided. Proper placement is essential - negative air machines are usually placed near the contaminated area with the exhaust tube venting to the outside. This allows the machine to filter the air and prevent contamination from spreading.

It is also essential to properly maintain negative air machines when in use:

• Monitor the pressure gauge to ensure enough negative pressure is being created.

• Change out used HEPA filters regularly to maintain airflow. Replacement filters can often be rented as well.

• Clean machine surfaces, grille, and vents daily to prevent buildup.

• Avoid running ducting through doorways or openings that would diminish air pressure.

• Ensure the exhaust is vented correctly away from homes, schools, or hospitals.

By monitoring your negative air machine rental and following usage guidelines, you can keep it working effectively for the duration of your project.

When Do I Need a Negative Air Machine for Mold Remediation?

Negative air machine rentals are an indispensable tool when undertaking mold remediation projects. But how do you know if your mold situation truly warrants using an air scrubber?

Here are a few key indicators that a negative air machine will be necessary for mold removal:

• Visible mold growth covers an area greater than 10 square feet. Anything more significant typically requires negative air containment.

• Mold is present in HVAC ductwork. Negative air machines help avoid spreading spores throughout the system during cleaning.

• You plan to dry out porous materials like carpets and drywall rather than remove them. Air scrubbers accelerate drying.

• Sensitive occupants, such as those with asthma or allergies, will be present. Negative air machines provide enhanced contaminant reduction.

• The affected area cannot be physically isolated from the rest of the home or building.

In general, if you have a significant mold problem, using a negative air machine rental will provide an extra layer of protection and allow for proper remediation. They may not be mandatory for minor mold growth on non-porous surfaces. But when in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and use an air scrubber.

How Do I Choose a Smoke Odor Elimination Machine?

Lingering smoke odors can make a home unlivable after a fire. Rather than replacing all absorbent materials, smoke odor elimination machines provide a fast solution for removing the smells. Here are some tips on choosing an effective smoke odor elimination rental:

• Look for a high CFM rating of at least 5000 CFM for residential properties. Commercial spaces may need 10,000 CFM or more.

• Seek machines with multiple filtration stages, including HEPA filtration and carbon or potassium permanganate filters for smoke odors.

• Ensure the equipment can generate a minimum of -0.02” of negative air pressure in the water column.

• Consider equipment with air mixing capabilities to filter all air spaces effectively.

• Seek quiet models rated at 68 dB or less, so machine operation is tolerable.

• Pick machines that don’t produce ozone, which can irritate during prolonged use.

The best equipment will contain 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns for complete smoke particle removal. Quality air scrubbers eliminate odors in days instead of weeks. Be sure to match the machine to the size of your space for smooth, effective smoke removal.

Are Negative Air Machines Safe? Potential Risks and Precautions

Negative air machines are generally considered very safe when used properly as directed. However, there are some potential risks and precautions to keep in mind:

• Improper ducting can blow contaminants into neighboring homes or occupied areas of a building. The exhaust should be fully isolated.

• Poor filtration can blow tiny mold spores or asbestos fibers into HVAC systems or living spaces. Use genuine HEPA filters.

• Noise levels above 70 dB can cause hearing damage with long-term exposure. Use noise-reducing models.

• High-powered fans can tip machines, disrupt containment barriers, or blow debris around. Secure machines properly.

• Outdoor venting could reintroduce indoor contaminants if placed near windows, doors, or air intakes. Redirect exhaust away from buildings.

• Ozone production in some models can irritate the lungs. Avoid using ozone-generating equipment.

By situating and operating negative air machines correctly, following all manufacturer guidelines, and taking basic safety precautions, you can safely contain and filter contaminants without risk.

Conclusion

Introducing Preferred Climate Solutions into the mix, negative air machine rentals provide a versatile and cost-effective way to remove contaminants and odors from indoor spaces. To recap, focus on adequately sizing your rental equipment, following operating procedures, ventilating exhaust safely, and taking basic precautions. This will allow you to complete mold remediation, smoke removal, and other indoor air quality projects with excellent results.