Do HEPA Air Scrubbers Remove Smoke Particles?

Are you looking to remove smoke odor from your home after that fire incident? Are the smoke particles still lingering there? Fire damage cleanup at your home cannot be considered complete unless you get rid of those smoke odors. Smoke particles are dangerous and hard to ignore. They can stay in your home for days, even after you have surface-cleaned everything. They not only harm your furniture or walls but also your health. Learn how HEPA air scrubbers remove smoke particles from your fire-affected property and make your living space breathable again.

Why should you not ignore the lingering smoke smell?

When something burns, it releases pollutants such as soot and other fine particulate matter. Together they are categorized as “smoke particles”. They vary in size and can be as small as 2.5 microns. These particles can get into the bloodstream and settle deep into your lungs. You may experience an irritable cough or worse respiratory issues. Hence, it is important to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Even after the fire is out, they stay on surfaces, get into HVAC systems, and keep polluting the breathable air. Simple home air purifiers or “opening the windows” won’t completely solve the problem. Companies that offer fire damage restoration Los Angeles use HEPA air scrubbers and other effective methods to remove smoke particles from the affected areas of the property.

What Is a HEPA Air Scrubber?

A HEPA air scrubber is an air cleaning system used for effectively removing smoke particles, chemicals, and gases from the air. It pulls air in, filters it using a multi-stage filtering process, and releases clean air back to space. These air scrubbers are more powerful than other household air purifiers. They can be used in combination with dehumidifiers in disaster restoration, like water damage, mold, and smoke cleanup. HEPA Air Scrubbers:

• Have pre-filters to capture large debris like ash and dust.
• Have HEPA filters that help remove 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns.
• Have activated carbon filters that absorb odor-causing gases and smoke-related VOCs.

Some air scrubbers also include UV light or ionization features that can even disinfect the air from bacteria and germs.

Most Common Types of HEPA Air Scrubbers Used for Smoke Removal

For smoke removal, HEPA air scrubbers target very small smoke particles to capture while often incorporating filters that remove odors and other harmful gases. The following types are integrated into the restoration processes:

1. Portable HEPA Air Scrubbers with Carbon Filters (Most Prevalent)

According to Grand View Research (2024), it’s a multi-stage filtration system with activated carbon for capturing smoke particulates as small as 0.3 microns. This general is 99% effective against any types of pollutants. 

2. Negative Air Machines (HEPA-Based)

As per Persistence Market Research (2024), negative air machines prevent the spread of the contamination to other parts of the property or to the neighboring buildings. Each unit is ducted for exhaust to filter soot and smoke. The smoke removal experts create a containment barrier during the installation. It has been observed to be 99.99% effective for 0.1 micron to 0.5 micron soot particles.

3. Hybrid HEPA Systems with UV/Photocatalytic Add-Ons

According to the LakeAir Commercial Smoke Eater and HEPA Air Scrubber Comparison Guide of 2024, hybrid HEPA systems with UV light or photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) are effective for breaking down not only smoke particles but also boosting smoke smell and virus eradication in large areas such as schools, hospitals, and churches. These types of HEPA air scrubbers have proven most effective in industrial settings.

How Air Scrubbers Remove Smoke

While removing smoke, you do not just need to remove odor, but it is mandatory to filter out the microscopic particles. These particles are invisible but harmful. And that is why air scrubbers are used to remove smoke particles. Here’s how: 

1. The machine sucks in contaminated air from the room.
2. Large ash particles and dust are removed first to protect the HEPA filter.
3. This layer traps very small particles, including PM2.5 and soot, which are the most dangerous components of smoke.
4. Smoke also carries volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemicals that contribute to that burnt smell. Activated carbon filters help neutralize those as well.
5. The purified air is released back, free from smoke particles and chemical residue.

This multi-step filtration system makes a thorough cleansing of indoor air. It makes air scrubbers highly effective in smoke and fire damage restoration.

Are HEPA Filters Enough?

HEPA filters are important because they remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. HEPA technology is very effective for this range of smaller smoke particles. But for complete smoke remediation, where odor and chemical residue are present, HEPA should be paired with carbon filtration.

Without the carbon layer, the air might be free from particles, but you will still notice that lingering smoke smell. That’s because gases can pass through HEPA filters and need to be absorbed by activated carbon or potassium permanganate filters.

Are Air Scrubbers a Long-Term Solution?

Air scrubbers are only used for short-term cleanup after fire damage. If you want to add an extra layer of protection, you can install some systems into HVAC units for air filtration. This only works for buildings or homes that have small air quality issues. But if you have heavy smoke damage, you need smoke remediation services to inspect the structure. In recent times, HEPA air scrubbing has become an integral part of damage restoration services because smoke can penetrate insulation, drywall, and wiring. 

Final Thoughts

HEPA air scrubbers remain the gold standard for smoke odor removal in damage restoration and reconstruction of a property. They have proven to be very effective against lingering smoke and other pollutants. The only drawback is that they need to be regularly cleaned and maintained in order for them to remain effective at the job site. The best part is that for homeowners, standard HEPA air purifiers are usually sufficient and more cost-effective, but for serious contamination events, a commercial-grade air scrubber is indispensable.

References

• Grand View Research. (2024). Air purifier market size, share & trends analysis report by technology (HEPA, activated carbon), by application (residential, commercial), by region, and segment forecasts, 2024–2030. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/air-purifier-market
• MarketsandMarkets. (2024). U.S. air purifiers market by technology (HEPA, ionic filters, activated carbon), by type (portable, in-duct), CADR (smoke, dust, pollen), & region – Forecast to 2029. https://www.marketsandmarkets.com
• Fortune Business Insights. (2024). Air scrubber market size, share & COVID-19 impact analysis, by product type (portable, large/central), by filter type (HEPA, activated carbon), by end-user, and regional forecast, 2023–2030. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com
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• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Residential air cleaners: A technical summary (4th ed.) – HEPA filtration efficiency standards. EPA/600/R-22/077. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
• Persistence Market Research. (2024). Negative air machines & air scrubber market outlook 2024–2032. https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com
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