Air purification technology is advancing and bringing new air purification devices to the market. Air purification testing ensures that certain standards of safety and effectiveness, such as those set by the UL 867, are met. This helps consumers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and HVAC technicians understand which are the most effective, safe, and suitable air purification products available.
What is the UL 867 standard?
The UL 867 is a safety standard for electrostatic air cleaners. The standard sets requirements for electrostatic air cleaners that can be found in commercial and residential settings.
The standard is published by UL Solutions (previously Underwriters Laboratories), a safety science company that independently tests and certifies products for safety and performance. A product that is successfully tested and certified to UL 867 standards will be permitted to display the UL mark. Most consumers, manufacturers and regulatory authorities around the globe recognize the UL mark as a sign of a quality product that is safe to use.
What product categories are covered by UL 867?
Following an update to the UL 867 standards in August 2018, air cleaners are now identified as either fixed or portable and are grouped into the following four categories:
- Portable ion generators (OEUA) category, which includes portable ionizers, fans employing ionizers, and ion generators.
- Portable electrostatic air cleaners (AGHC) category, which includes portable electrostatic air cleaners and fans employing electrostatic air cleaners.
- Fixed ion generators (OETX) category, which includes fixed ionizers, fans employing ionizers, and ion generators.
- Fixed electrostatic air cleaners (AGGZ) category, which includes fixed electrostatic air cleaners and fans employing electrostatic air cleaners.
The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ falls under the AGGZ
How do electrostatic cleaners work?
Electrostatic cleaners use a charge to attract and subsequently remove particles from the air that can be harmful to human health, such as pollen, smoke, and dust. The electrical charge is produced by ions in the air, which are invisible molecules that float around in the atmosphere. Negative ions are molecules that have gained an electron, whereas positive ions are molecules that have lost an electron.
Electrostatic air cleaners are air ionizers: they release negative ions into the room, which attach to harmful particles, giving them an electrical charge. These particles respond by clumping together and landing on surfaces, such as walls and floors, or on a metal collector plate situated within the ionizing device.
Electrostatic precipitators operate a little differently. They create a corona discharge. This also ionizes the air and gives a charge to airborne particles. These particles are then attracted to a surface where they are collected. This surface might be a plate, tube, or wire. Often, this collection surface will be grounded, which facilitates the attraction of charged particles to the surface, removing them from the air.
Both types of these electrostatic air cleaners require regular maintenance in the form of cleaning the collection surfaces in order to maintain their effectiveness.
The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ uses a similar science to the two methods described above, in that it applies a corona discharge current to the air. However, a key difference is that the AIROW 3™ applies the corona discharge in order to create hydrogen peroxide. The technology creates the hydrogen peroxide molecules from water molecules present in the air to neutralize airborne particles such as bacteria, viruses, dust, pollen, and mold, in the air. This means that the TADIRAN AIROW 3™ does not require regular maintenance as the device does not have a collection surface that needs regular cleaning.
Why is UL 867 important for indoor air quality?
Indoor air quality can be improved with air purification devices, which must adhere to the safety standards set by UL 867. This assures manufacturers, HVAC technicians, and consumers that the device isn’t a hazard. In particular for air purifiers, the UL mark signifies the device is not at risk of catching fire or causing an electrical shock to individuals fitting the item or touching the housing or any devices connected to the air purifier (like the A/C unit).
What are the testing methods for UL 867?
UL 867 includes testing methods that assess the safety and performance of a product. This includes testing for electrical and mechanical safety. The UL 867 standard also sets out requirements for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the air purifier.
Testing methods for the UL 867 include:
- Mechanical safety testing to ensure that the air purification device is designed and built in a way that prevents a person from becoming injured by hazards such as moving parts. Examples of hazards include parts of the device that have sharp edges, are unstable, or have low resistance to impact and are at risk of falling apart.
- Electrical safety testing to ensure that the air cleaner is designed and constructed so that it will not be a fire risk. Tests such as ground bound resistance, current leakage, and the dielectric voltage withstand test are used to ensure the device isn’t an electrical shock risk.
- Performance testing to evaluate the effectiveness of the device in removing particles from the air. Tests may include filter efficiency, airflow resistance and dust loading.
- Endurance testing to assess the reliability and durability of the air purification device over time. Testing might include electrical stress, vibrations, and temperature and humidity cycling.
- Ozone testing to ensure that a device doesn’t produce ozone levels that could be harmful. The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ has been tested against UL 867 standards at INTERTEK, an independent laboratory. The technology is certified ozone free under UL 867 Section 40 as the ozone emission from the TADIRAN AIROW 3™ is less than 50 ppb.
It is worth noting that, in addition to meeting the standards set by UL 867, , with ozone emission requirements set at a maximum of 5 ppb.
What are the requirements for UL 867 Section 40 air purifier certification?
Section 40 of UL 867 sets specific requirements for the performance and safety of electrostatic air cleaners that produce the byproduct called ozone. Ozone can be harmful to humans and the environment, and subsequently Section 40 includes air purifier certification for ozone levels that might be dangerous to consumers.
The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ is an electrostatic air cleaner that satisfies UL 867 Section 40 and is certified as safe to use.
Improve indoor air quality with certified air purifiers
A certified air purification device ensures purified air will be available indoors, made possible with a device that meets important industry safety standards. The TADIRAN AIROW 3™ is certified by UL 867, meaning it produces no harmful ozone levels and can be trusted to fight airborne pathogens and purify indoor air.
