When Should A HEPA Vacuum Be Your Weapon Of Choice?

There are all sorts of industrial vacuum cleaners available in the commercial and industrial world – wet/dry, soot and powder, machine shop, and heavy-duty, to name just a few. And in most cases, which sort of vacuum cleaner you use for which application seems reasonably clear.  But one kind of vacuum – the HEPA vacuum cleaner – carries more uncertainty about when it should be used.

“When should we use a HEPA vacuum?” we often hear you, our readers, ask. The answer is – a HEPA vacuum is like the old “roach hotel”.  Dirt goes in, but it doesn’t come out.  So,  you should use it when you want to fully contain everything that enters the vacuum cleaner.

A true HEPA vacuum cleaner has been tested to a specific standard, usually, MIL-STD 282 – and has been proven to capture 99.97% of particles .3 microns or larger.  It takes a pretty good filter to capture all but 3 of every 10,000 particles that pass through it. Click here to check out Goodway Technologies’ list of HEPA vacuums selection.

When to use a HEPA vacuum vs. a regular vacuum

Here are a few ideas about when to use a HEPA vacuum instead of a regular vacuum system:

Lead paint – this is an excellent use for a HEPA vacuum cleaner. To paraphrase an old joke, it’s not just a good idea, it’s the law. If you do any work with lead paint, you will need a HEPA vacuum to clean up any walls or other surfaces covered with dust to comply with the EPA rules that went into effect earlier this year.

Asbestos – If you do any renovation, repairs, or replacement of any material that is or might be asbestos, you will need to clean it with a HEPA-filtered vacuum system to prevent the fine particles or powder from escaping into the atmosphere and creating potential health hazards — not to mention possible legal ramifications.

Special note: Goodway recommends calling a licensed asbestos remediation contractor if you suspect lead or asbestos contamination.

Clean environments – You don’t necessarily need a clean room to need a HEPA vacuum. Any environment which you need to keep extremely clean and dust free, such as where you have delicate electronic gear or optical/photo equipment.  Food or pharmaceutical production floors are other places to have HEPA vacuums present.

Biological contamination – Because HEPA vacuums are so good at keeping in what they pick up, they may be the best way for you to clean up after an infestation of vermin, birds, or any other creature that leaves “residue” behind.   HEPA vacuums are also standard for cleaning up after mold, mildew, or fungus.

Nuclear Power – Any place where you need to clean up radioactive materials, whether at a power plant, a laboratory, or a medical facility, is the right place to use a HEPA vacuum.

Now that you have a better idea about when to use a  HEPA vacuum system, your next question might be, “Gee, there are lots of HEPA vacuum cleaners.  Which one is best for me?”  To answer that question, you need to look no further than past editions of “Just Venting” blog posts.

In August of last year, we ran a post called “Here’s What To Look For In a HEPA Vacuum,” and in March, we ran a story about how the new EPA lead paint rules will require use of HEPA vacuums.  If you still have any questions about this admittedly most technical of vacuums, just contact Goodway Technologies directly.

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