Proper Merv Rating Selection Standards For Filters In Bakeries
Introduction.
Maintaining a clean and healthy environment is crucial to products and people in bakeries. Air filtration is essential for the control of airborne dust particles, bacteria, viruses, and other infectious contaminants that may compromise the quality of products during processing.
What MERV Stands For.
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, is a measure of an air filter’s ability to capture and remove large particles of between 0.3 and 10 microns. The selection of proper air filtration is key to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for both products and people.
How to Select the Right MERV Level for a Bakery.
Selecting the proper MERV rating starts with understanding the source of airborne dust and other contaminants that must be controlled. The baking process frequently creates a high concentration of airborne dust particles, such as flour and other powdered ingredients as they are loaded into the mixers or used in the dusting process. Finally, the cleaning of equipment and facility surfaces also generates dust. In a bakery, the proper balance between the MERV rating and resistance to the airflow is essential. If the rating is too low, some particles will not be captured. If the rating is too high fan motors will use more energy.
A MERV rating between 8 and 13 is typically recommended for bakeries to effectively capture airborne particles without compromising airflow due to excessive resistance.
Different bakery areas may require different MERV-rated filters based on the food safety risk of the area. For example, packaging areas that may be exposed to mold spores due to the surrounding outside areas should look to higher MERV-rated filters MERV-13 versus a shipping area where the rating may be MERV-8 as the product is enclosed in its final package.
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JASSI GREWALChief Mechanical EngineerCall 440.544.2235 | Email Jassi | View Profile |