U NIVERSITY

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W ASHINGTON

Facilities Services
Design Guide

Mechanical
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Filters

Basis of Design
This section applies to the selection and installation of filters.

Design Evaluation
The following information is required to evaluate the design:

Schematic Design Phase: Describe all system filters.

Design Development Phase: Identify filter locations, access, preliminary design calculations
with catalog cut sheets, and an outline of specifications.

Construction Document Phase: Identify filter locations, access, final design calculations with
catalog cut sheets, and specifications. Provide a filter schedule and drawing details.

Construction Submittals

Provide industry standard construction submittals, including filter size, efficiency, MERV
rating, pressure drop, and filter frame assembly.

Related Sections

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - General Requirements

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
o

Air Handlers and Ventilation Fans

Ductwork and Duct Accessories

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Metering and Gauges

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Nonstructural Component Seismic Design

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Identification

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Environmental Control Systems

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Testing, Adjusting and Balancing

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Commissioning

Products, Material and Equipment

See Filters guide specification.

Provide pre-filters.

Consider specific project filter applications (absolute, grease).

Final filters shall have 85% efficiency (dust spot method using atmospheric dust) at 500 feet
per minute face velocity.

Locate and arrange HVAC equipment for reasonable filter removal and replacement.

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Facilities Services
Design Guide

Mechanical
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Filters

Installation, Fabrication and Construction

Provide temporary filters for fans, air terminal units, and primary return/exhaust inlets that are
operated prior to completion of construction.

After construction dirt has been removed from the building, provide new filters for permanent
locations.

Indicate the required filter removal and equipment access space on the contract documents.

END OF DESIGN GUIDE SECTION

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Mechanical

Facilities Services
Design Guide

Guide Specification

Filters Used in HVAC Systems

GUIDE SPECIFICATION
The following guide specification is intended to be modified and included in the contract documents.
Items to be modified should be done in consultation with the University Project Manager, A/E, and
University Campus Engineering.
MECHANICAL FILTERS USED IN HVAC SYSTEMS
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.01

DESCRIPTION

A. Work specified in this section includes air filters used in HVAC systems.
1.02

QUALITY ASSURANCE

B. Codes and regulations

1. Test method for all particulate filters: ASHRAE Standard 52.1-92 and ASHRAE Standard
52.2-1999.
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.01

GENERAL

A. Materials: Fixed media type filters, general

1. Prefilters
a.

24" x 24" x 2" thick, pleated media filter with 25% minimum dust spot efficiency (30%
nominal efficiency, 96% arrestance) per ASHRAE Standard 52.1-92 Test Method with
synthetic atmospheric dust. Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8 per ASHRAE
Standard 52.2-1999.

b.

American Air Filter Perfect Pleat Ultra, Purolator Mark 80, Filtration Group Series 400, or
equal.

2. Final Filters (extended media bag type)

a.

24" x 24" x 24" (NOM) deep bag type filters supported by galvanized wire frame; 80%
minimum dust spot efficiency (85% nominal efficiency, 98% arrestance) per ASHRAE
Standard 52.1-92 Test Method with synthetic atmospheric dust. MERV 13 per ASHRAE
Standard 52.2-1999.

b.

American Air Filter DriPak 2000, Purolator Serva-Pak S, Filtration Group SoniQ, or equal.
-OR-

2. Final Filters (pleated media type)

a.

12 inch deep rigid fixed pleated media type filters supported by galvanized wire frame;
80% minimum dust spot efficiency (85% nominal efficiency) (98 arrestance) per ASHRAE

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Facilities Services
Design Guide

Mechanical
Guide Specification

Filters Used in HVAC Systems

Standard 52.1-92 Test Method with synthetic atmospheric dust. MERV 13 per ASHRAE
Standard 52.2-1999.
b.

American Air Filter VariCel RF, Purolator Aero Cell, Filtration Group Rigid Cell, or equal.

3. Filter Frames
a.

Stationary assembly built up of individual stationary filter frames, with gaskets and with
latching devices to hold replaceable media and holding frame firmly in the stationary
frame.

b.

The prefilters and final filters shall be installed in separate frames which allow the final
filters to be replaced without having to remove the prefilters.

c.

Individual frames formed steel angle type made of steel, No. 16 gauge at least 3 inches
deep, permanently assembled with solid rivets.

d.

Where height or width exceeds 6 feet, provide stiffener of No. 16 gauge sheet metal with
hemmed exposed edge, 8 inches wide, full height and width of filters on 6-foot centers.

e.

Finish of all metal parts of frame shall be hot-dip galvanized with additional high build
epoxy finish 0.020" minimum thickness.

f.

Gasketing shall be included, with tight seal to filter face.

4. Filter airflow resistance gauge: DWYER "Series 2000"; 0-2 inch WC. Range for final filters; 01 inch WC. Range for pre-filters.
5. Initial resistance: Shall not exceed resistance scheduled.
B. Prefilter, fixed (pleated) media type filters, with cabinet
1. Manufacture: By a firm specified for fixed (pleated) media type filters, general.
2. Filter media: Same as specified for 2-inch fixed (pleated) media type filters.
3. Filter cabinets: Farr "Glide-Pack" cabinet or equal; 18 gauge metal filter casing, slide-in
airtight sealing tracks; access doors, duct connected filter cabinet inlet and outlet.
4. Filter airflow resistance gauge: Same as fixed (pleated) media type filters, general.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.01

INSTALLATION

A. Temporary filter media: Install during supply system balancing in fixed filter media frames; upper limit
resistance of temporary media to be 125% of combined initial design resistance across the fixed
media filter sections.
B. Final filters shall be installed after balancing and commissioning work is complete.
C. Also provide a temporary filter in system when fan is in operation prior to balancing in order to keep
the ductwork clean; resistance shall be as scheduled for permanent filters. Temporary filters shall be
equivalent to permanent filters in style and media.

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Facilities Services
Design Guide

Mechanical
Guide Specification

Filters Used in HVAC Systems

D. Fixed media type filter frames: Assemble and install individual frames with rivets after placing 1-inch
wide weather-stripping gaskets between filter frames. Seal filter frames to ductwork as specified
under Sheet Metal Work. Provide 1-inch space between pre-filter bank and final filter bank for static
pressure probe.
E. Airflow resistance gauges: Connect gauges with copper tubing per manufacturers
recommendations; connections at gauge with a vent valve assembly to permit zeroing adjustments.
Install a separate gauge across both the pre-filter and final filter, i.e., one across the pre-filter and one
across the final filter.
F. Filter access and clearance: Provide 2 6 minimum access to filter bank that allows for replacement
of filter elements, without the need for special tools. Provide clearance downstream of bag filters to
preclude early bag failure from contact with structure. Provide a fixed catwalk for filter bank over 6' 0
tall.
1. Combination of 2-inch pleated media pre-filter and extended media bag filter shall have a
maximum initial static pressure drop at 500 FPM of .38 inches and .39 inches w.g.
respectively (must be approved by Campus Engineering).
2. Heating and cooling coils shall be protected by a 2-inch pleated media.
3. Where geometry or use dictates, pre-filters shall be cabinet-type.

END OF GUIDE SPECIFICATION SECTION

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